Laslo received crypto coins from an airdrop. How will he determine his basis in the coins? Coins received in an airdrop are only treated as ordinary income. There is no basis for them. Laslo's basis is equal to the fair market value (FMV) the day before the airdrop. Laslo's basis is equal to the FMV on the date he disposes of them. Therefore, coins received in an airdrop never show a gain or loss. Laslo's basis is equal to the FMV at the date and time he constructively received the coins..