Due to the popularity of cryptocurrency, numerous individuals are searching for means to acquire free crypto. Here are seven methods one can use to earn cryptocurrency without having to invest your own money, including crypto faucets, airdrops, staking, bug bounties and more.
There are several common risks to be aware of when earning free crypto, including security risks, scams and fraud, limited earning potential, time-consuming activities, and potential legal or tax implications. It’s important to do your research and approach these methods with caution.
Faucets
Crypto faucets are websites or applications that provide users with small sums of cryptocurrency in exchange for doing things like completing CAPTCHA puzzles or watching advertisements. One example is Moon Litecoin, which offers free Litecoin (LTC) to users who complete tasks, such as streaming videos. The rewards from Moon Litecoin are deposited into users’ micro wallet on Coinpot.co.
Unfortunately, there are many scam crypto faucets that promise high rewards but never actually pay out. Some may require you to pay a fee or complete a certain number of tasks before you can withdraw your earnings, while others may simply disappear without warning. Therefore, it is important to approach crypto faucets with caution and do your research before using them.
Airdrops
Airdrops are free distributions of cryptocurrency tokens or coins. Businesses and projects give away a set number of tokens to people who register for their platform, carry out particular actions or satisfy certain requirements.
Staking
Staking involves holding a certain number of cryptocurrency tokens in a wallet or exchange to help secure the network and earn rewards. One can stake cryptocurrencies such as Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT) and Ether (ETH) to earn staking rewards.
However, staking involves locking up one’s funds for a set period of time, during which they may not be able to access or trade them. Therefore, make sure you understand the risks and potential rewards before you start staking.
Related: DeFi staking: A beginner’s guide to proof-of-stake (PoS) coins
Referral programs
For consumers who suggest friends and family join their platform, many cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets provide referral programs that pay rewards. Free cryptocurrency or a part of the user’s trading commissions might be given as rewards.
Completing surveys
Some websites and apps offer users the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency rewards by completing surveys or participating in market research. Websites like Swagbucks offer crypto rewards for completing tasks, such as watching videos, answering surveys and playing games. However, one must exercise caution while engaging in any activity on such websites.
Related: 7 ways women can earn passive income through cryptocurrency
Bug bounties
Cryptocurrency projects and exchanges often offer bug bounties to incentivize developers and security researchers to identify and report vulnerabilities in their software. These bounties can be in the form of cryptocurrency rewards and can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the bug.
Trading competitions
Depending on their trading volume or performance, customers can compete against one another to win prizes on several exchanges that provide trading competitions. Even though there can be fierce competition, there can also be significant benefits, with some exchanges providing thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency prizes.