Maple Finance, the on-chain platform bridging institutional credit markets with DeFi through products like syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT, has officially ended its popular Drips rewards program. This change marks a shift in how users earn incentives within the ecosystem.
What Were Drips Rewards?
Introduced alongside the SYRUP token, Drips was an innovative points-based rewards system designed to bootstrap early adoption. Users earned Drips by depositing into syrupUSDC/syrupUSDT pools and through boosts for actions like long-term commitments or integrations with partners. These Drips converted to SYRUP tokens at the end of quarterly "Seasons," providing additional yield on top of the base lending returns.
The program successfully drove significant growth, helping attract substantial TVL and fostering collaborations across DeFi.
Why Did Drips Rewards End?
Drips effectively incentivized the early adoption and maturation of syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT. As these yield-bearing assets have gained traction and stability in the market, Maple has transitioned to a more sustainable model: partner-based rewards distributed via Merkl.
Merkl is a sophisticated incentive engine that allows ecosystem partners (various DeFi protocols) to directly reward users for utilizing syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT in their platforms. This approach offers:
Multiple Partners — Access rewards from a diverse range of DeFi protocols.
Competitive APYs — Potential for higher earning rates across different opportunities.
Onchain Transparency — Verifiable and efficient reward distributions.
This shift aligns incentives more directly with real ecosystem usage, reducing reliance on protocol-wide points farming while maintaining attractive yields.
Final Claim for Season 12 Drips (Q4 2025)
The Drips program concluded on December 31, 2025. The last accumulation period (Season 12) covered Q4 2025.
Users can claim their final accumulated Drips (converted to SYRUP) during this window:
Opens → January 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM UTC
Closes → February 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM UTC
Your claimable amount will appear in the app once the window opens. To claim, visit:
https://app.maple.finance/earn/rewards
Important: Any unclaimed Drips after February 18, 2026, will be forfeited and returned to the protocol treasury. Don't miss the deadline!
How to Earn Rewards Now
Ongoing rewards are available through ecosystem partners via Merkl. These incentives target specific usages of syrupUSDC and syrupUSDT across DeFi.
Visit the Merkl app to browse opportunities, view APYs, and claim rewards.
Benefits include stacked incentives from multiple campaigns, onchain verification, and no need for additional staking in many cases.
This partner-driven model ensures continued earning potential while promoting deeper integration of Maple's assets throughout DeFi.
For the latest updates, check the Maple app, docs, or official channels. The transition reflects Maple's evolution toward mature, revenue-aligned incentives in the growing institutional DeFi space.
