11 Ways to Earn Free Crypto in 2025
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Whoever said there’s no such thing as a free lunch hadn’t discovered crypto yet. From crypto faucets to crypto airdrops, there are free crypto tokens falling out of the sky. Some ways to get free crypto may involve a bit of work, though. Others may require some risk capital. In this guide, we’ll detail the ten best ways to earn free crypto and how you can get in on the action.
We’ll also compare the pros and cons of each free-crypto strategy as well as how much you can earn and how much effort is required to earn free cryptocurrency. Let’s learn how to earn free crypto in 2025.
List of the Best Ways to Earn Free Crypto
Here are the ten best ways to earn free crypto in December 2025:
- Claiming airdrops: Receive free tokens from new or existing projects.
- Earning free crypto by learning: Complete educational courses and earn tokens.
- Staking crypto: Lock up coins to support network operations and earn rewards.
- Using crypto faucets: Complete tasks or captchas to receive small amounts of crypto.
- Playing poker:Enter a freeroll poker tournament and earn free crypto.
- Playing P2E games: Earn cryptocurrency by playing blockchain-based games.
- Earning yield on crypto savings accounts: Deposit crypto to earn interest over time.
- Claiming exchange sign-up offers: Get free crypto for opening new exchange accounts.
- Lending crypto: Loan out your coins and earn interest as a lender.
- Earning through referrals: Receive crypto for referring others to services.
- Claiming crypto credit card rewards: Earn crypto as cashback on credit card purchases.
11 Best Ways to Earn Free Crypto
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor looking to diversify your crypto holdings, earning free crypto can help you enhance your portfolio without upfront investment.
Below, we’ll outline the ten best ways to earn free crypto, from staking and airdrops to playing games and leveraging credit card rewards. We’ll explore each strategy, so you can start earning crypto effectively and efficiently.
1. Claim Airdrops
Airdrops are the main promotional tool used by crypto projects to generate buzz and awareness. However, this one often requires a bit more work and some capital. Qualifying for crypto airdrops typically requires on-chain activity, such as using DeFi protocols or staking.
In 2024, Best Wallet is set to airdrop a significant amount of tokens to early users and supporters of its platform. Users can claim their airdropped tokens for activities they were already performing, Best Wallet users will similarly qualify by participating in platform tasks and activities.
Qualified wallet addresses will be able to claim the airdropped tokens through a dedicated portal, rewarding early adopters and active participants in the Best Wallet ecosystem.
- Earning potential: High. Airdrops can range in value from a few dollars to thousands of dollars.
- How often can you earn: Every few months, on average. Airdrops are common, but each airdrop may come from a different source and come with its own requirements for eligibility.
- Risk Level: Moderate. Many airdrops are speculative ventures, meaning that users aren’t sure whether there will be an airdrop. Airdrop hunting requires capital to use on-chain applications, paying network fees at each step. The payoff could be massive, or there might be no airdrop at all.
Pros
- Potentially large earnings
- Airdrops can often be staked or reinvested
- Revenue from airdrops can fund hunting for new airdrops
Cons
- Taxable as income in many jurisdictions
- Speculative in most cases
- Usually requires capital to get started
2. Learn and Earn Free Crypto
Get paid to learn about new cryptocurrencies (including other digital assets like NFTs) or protocols. Pass a quiz and earn free crypto. If you don’t pass, you can keep trying until you do.
For example, Coinbase offers a Learn and Earn program and also offers Learn and Earn through Coinbase Wallet “quests” on occasion. Some rewards are worth only a few dollars, while others can be worth a lot.
- Earning potential: Limited. Learn and Earn offers like those from Coinbase are promotional. They help create awareness of new chains or protocols, and new Learn and Earn opportunities occur sporadically.
- How often can you earn: Every few months, on average. Most Learn and Earn tokens only give one-time rewards, but a different offer may become available in a month or two.
- Risk Level: None. There’s nothing to lose because you’re not investing money. However, “quests” may require on-chain transactions that require network fees.
Pros
- Typically takes less than 5 minutes
- Helps users learn how crypto works
- Rewards can often be staked to earn more
Cons
- Taxable as income in many jurisdictions
- The price of reward tokens can be volatile
3. Crypto Staking
Staking, in this sense, refers to using your crypto as a form of collateral to help ensure proper validation of blockchain transactions. By locking your crypto in a staking contract, you earn staking rewards paid in the same cryptocurrency.
Crypto staking platforms like Binance make this easy, but you need some capital to get started. Typical staking yields run in the 3% to 5% range, although some blockchains offer higher yields.
Alternatively, investors can opt to stake new presale tokens such as Pepe Unchained ($PEPU) and Crypto All-Stars ($STARS) to earn an annual yield of 219% and 3,564%, respectively.
- Earning potential: Moderate. Staking produces passive income, similar to a bank savings account or certificate of deposit.
- How often can you earn: Ongoing. You can continue to earn staking rewards as long as you stake your crypto.
- Risk Level: Moderate. Staking brings a small risk of loss due to slashing, a way of punishing bad behavior by validators. However, you should also consider price risk. Crypto locked in a staking contract typically can’t be sold quickly if the market turns.
Pros
- Stable passive income
- Help secure the network
- Provides a yield for long-term holds
Cons
- Taxable as income in many jurisdictions
- May require long commitments
- Requires a crypto investment
4. Crypto Faucets
are platforms where you can get free crypto. Think of a leaky faucet that drips one drop at a time. Crypto faucets work in a similar way, giving just a drop, but all those drops can add up over time.
In some cases, you may have to complete simple tasks, such as the Learn and Earn programs we discussed earlier. In other cases, you have to wait a certain amount of time to be eligible for the next free crypto drop.
- Earning potential: Low to moderate. Traditional crypto faucets give out small amounts of crypto at a time. Some newer implementations may offer higher amounts.
- How often can you earn: Often daily. Typically, you can continue to get free crypto from the faucet daily.
- Risk Level: None. With traditional faucets, you don’t need to invest money, so there is no risk. Your only expense is your time. If you find a faucet that requires a purchase, read the fine print to understand potential risks.
A popular option for earning crypto through tasks is Freecash. It allows users to complete surveys, play games, and try apps in exchange for crypto rewards, with top earners cashing out up to $20 a day. With a low minimum withdrawal and instant payouts via PayPal, the platform stands out for its higher earning potential and active user community.
Pros
- Free crypto for completing simple tasks
- Small amounts can add up over time
Cons
- Taxable as income in many jurisdictions
- Claiming small amounts can be tedious
5. Participating in a Poker Freeroll Tournament
has emerged as a standout choice for those aiming to earn free crypto this year, particularly through the engaging and strategic game of poker. This leading online gambling platform hosts freeroll tournaments on a monthly basis, where players can compete for a share of a significant prize pool valued at 15,000 USDT.
The process to participate is straightforward and cost-free. Players simply need to download the CoinPoker client, register an account, and navigate to the Tournaments section. From there, they can enter the poker freeroll tournaments without any entry fee and have the opportunity to win prizes denominated in Tether (USDT).
The platform is also running a special tournament right now, which gives access to an event with a prize pool of $100,000.
- Earning potential: Limited. Players can enter freeroll tournaments organized monthly and earn from a prize pool worth $15,000.
- How often can you earn: Every few months, on average. Since the tournaments are held monthly, players can earn monthly. However, CoinPoker also discusses some special tournaments as well.
- Risk Level: None to low. There are no risks since players are not required to pay an entry fee. However, they can top up their bets with their own crypto holdings once the games begin.
Pros
- Freeroll tournaments are held regularly
- Applies to both regular and special events
- No charges for participation
Cons
- Downloading the CoinPoker client is necessary
6. Play-to-Earn Games
Arguably, Axie Infinity (AXS) brought play-to-earn games to the forefront. But the genre has evolved, and now you can earn crypto and NFTs on more advanced platforms like Star Atlas (ATLAS) and Gods Unchained (GODS).
By playing these games, you can earn tokens or NFTs while you progress through the game. Some play-to-earn games even have in-game economies where you can provide services to earn crypto.
- Earning potential: Low to moderate. While it’s possible to earn a living with play-to-earn games, average players earn smaller amounts.
- How often can you earn: Often daily. The more you play, the more you learn and the more you can earn.
- Risk Level: Moderate. If you’re willing to grind your way to the top, risks are minimal. However, if you choose to buy upgrades, the value of the upgrades and game tokens can be volatile.
Pros
- Have fun while earning free crypto
- Connect with other players online
- Larger games have robust marketplaces
Cons
- In-game earnings can be taxable
- Token and NFT prices can be volatile
7. Crypto Savings Accounts
Much like traditional savings accounts, crypto savings accounts pay a yield on deposits. In many cases, these yields come from lending, which we’ll cover in more detail later.
The distinction here is that crypto savings accounts are easier to use. You deposit your crypto, and the platform pays a yield. Often, this yield is paid in the same crypto you deposit. However, platforms like Nexo, shown below, may pay higher yields if you choose to take your payment in the platform token.
- Earning potential: Low to moderate. Interest rates range from under 1% to 16%, but often find the lower end of that scale.
- How often can you earn: Daily, weekly, or monthly. Interest periods vary, but daily payouts are common.
- Risk Level: Moderate to high. Price risk is a consideration if you lock your tokens in a long-term savings account. However, you should also consider the health of the platform as well. Crypto lending platforms Celsius and BlockFi both declared bankruptcy in 2022.
Pros
- Easy-to-use platforms
- Support for dozens of cryptocurrencies
- Borrow against deposits
Cons
- Platform insolvency risk
- Price risk for locked assets
- Not available in all regions
8. Exchange Sign-Up Offers
want your business, so much so that they’re willing to pay you to join. There’s a catch, though. Often, you’ll have to deposit a trade a certain amount to qualify for the spiff. Payouts can also vary.
For example, crypto exchange Coinbase advertises up to $200 for new users. To participate, sign up, verify your identity, and then “spin the wheel,” much like a game show.
- 89% will win between $3 and $6, paid in cash or Bitcoin.
- 11% will win between $6 and 200, paid in cash or Bitcoin.
In other cases, exchanges might offer a simpler sign-up bonus with a fixed amount of free cryptocurrency for each new account.
- Earning potential: Low to moderate. Expect about $200 at the high end, although these types of free crypto offers often pay $5 to $10.
- How often can you earn: Once per exchange. Eligibility often requires identity verification, so you can only qualify once at each exchange.
- Risk Level: Moderate. Because many offers require a deposit or trades, there are risks to consider. In 2022, the FTX exchange collapsed, leaving depositors without access to their funds.
Pros
- Typically quick sign-up process
- Earn up to $200 in free crypto
Cons
- Platform insolvency risk
- May require deposits or trades
- Availability varies by region
9. Crypto Lending
Earlier, we discussed crypto savings accounts, which often use lending to earn free crypto. However, you can venture further into lending with decentralized finance (DeFi) lending platforms. In this case, you’re not depositing funds with an exchange. Instead, deposit funds into a lending pool using smart contracts.
DeFi lending platforms like Aave connect lenders and borrowers with stablecoins (valued at $1) often paying the highest yields.
Finding 100% plus yields isn’t difficult, but you may need to use less-proven crypto lending platforms.
- Earning potential: Low to moderate. Extremely high yields tend to be short-lived. Realistic returns are often closer to 5% to 15%.
- How often can you earn: Ongoing. You continue to earn as long as you have deposits.
- Risk Level: Moderate. Risk often stems from potential smart contract vulnerabilities. However, rapid market moves could prevent fast borrower liquidations to repay loans. Some or all of your deposit could be at risk.
Pros
- Available worldwide
- Potential short-term yields up to 100%
- Borrow against your deposits
Cons
- Potential smart-contract vulnerabilities
- Withdrawals are limited as demand rises
- Requires crypto wallet knowledge
10. Referrals
Refer a friend, your social media followers, or website visitors to earn free crypto. As a caveat, some programs pay in traditional fiat currencies. However, you can use the USD, GBP, or AUD they pay to buy (free) crypto.
Referral programs may be simple, in which you use a special link to invite others and then collect a referral reward. They can also be more complex, requiring verified follower counts or website traffic. Either way, there are plenty of crypto referral and affiliate programs available.
- Earning potential: Possibly high. The sky is the limit for earning potential with referral programs, depending on how much time you invest.
- How often can you earn: Ongoing. Some programs use a one-time reward. Others give you an ongoing share of trading fees.
- Risk Level: Low. You don’t have to invest money (but you can) to grow your referrals.
One such referral program is being conducted by Salukis ($SALUKIS) – a new dog-themed meme coin that has recently launched on presale. Through its ‘Friend referral event’, users can receive rewards by referring up to 10 friends to the ongoing presale.
Pros
- Easy to get started with simple referral programs
- Potential ongoing income
- No money is required to start
Cons
- Reputation risk (choose referral programs carefully)
- Programs can change or disappear
- Taxable as income in many jurisdictions
11. Crypto Credit Card Rewards
Much like rewards credit cards, a few platforms offer rewards in the shape of crypto rewards credit cards. Earn free crypto for everyday purchases. This one has a catch as well but comes with an easy workaround.
In many jurisdictions, paying with crypto is a taxable event. The IRS treats it as the disposal of an asset. Simply put, you probably don’t want to buy a pack of gum with your bitcoins just to earn rewards. Instead, you can fund your account cash and earn crypto rewards everywhere you use your card. For example, Coinbase pays up to 3% in free crypto rewards and lets you choose a new reward each month.
- Earning potential: Low to Moderate. Most programs cap monthly rewards.
- How often can you earn: Ongoing. Use your crypto rewards card for everyday purchases to keep earning.
- Risk Level: Low. Cash balances are likely held with a bank. Risk may be higher, however, if you choose to keep crypto on the exchange to fund your card.
Pros
- Earn crypto for everyday purchases
- Choose your crypto reward
- Earnings up to 3%
- Rewards may not be taxable in some jurisdictions (possibly viewed as a purchase discount)
Cons
- Not available everywhere
- Rewards can change frequently
- Transactions for crypto-funded cards may be taxable
- Crytpo-to-cash conversion can be costly
How to Avoid Free Crypto Scams
Crypto has its share of shady characters and outright scams, but there are ways to avoid scams and reduce risks.
- Use reputable sources. Do your research first and be sure you feel comfortable with the source of the free crypto, particularly if you have to deposit your own crypto to earn free crypto.
- Connect with care. DeFi apps require you to connect your crypto wallet. However, you don’t always know what’s on the other side of that smart contract. Again, look for reputable projects with documented audits.
- Guard your personal data. It’s common for exchanges to require identity verification to comply with regulations. However, if a lesser-known app wants your personal information, it may not be worth the risk.
- Don’t trust links. Social media, discussion boards, and even fake websites may link to a malicious contract or phishing page that looks real. Check the URL carefully before providing any information.
- Never share your wallet seed phrase. Your crypto wallet uses a private key and seed phrase backup to control your crypto. If someone else gets either of these, they can steal your crypto. No legitimate free crypto site or app will ask you for either of these.
Is Earning Free Crypto Worth The Effort?
Learning how to earn free crypto isn’t difficult, but depending on which method you choose, you might have some work ahead of you such as preparing for added income tax or completing multiple tasks to become eligible for airdrops.
Easier methods include debit card rewards, crypto lending, and crypto staking. With debit card rewards, you usually just need to fund your account and choose a reward. Lending and staking usually just require a few clicks, although you need to buy some crypto to get started.
However, strategies like play-to-earn and airdrop hunting can require much more effort and do not guarantee a meaningful return. However, if things go your way, the payouts can be much larger compared to passive strategies. Consider how much time and effort (and money) you want to commit before you choose a strategy to earn free crypto.
Conclusion
We just covered ten ways to earn free crypto, some of which are easy and some that require a bit more effort. Paydays for free crypto range from a few cents at a time up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Participating in Best Wallet‘s token airdrop provides significant profit potential without requiring financial investment or advanced skills. Unlike skill-based competitions such as freeroll tournaments, Best Wallet eliminates the need for upfront payments, offering users the chance to earn tokens by completing simple tasks like engaging with the platform or referring friends. This approach fosters active participation and engagement within the Best Wallet community, making it a low-barrier opportunity to earn cryptocurrency while contributing to the platform’s growth.
FAQs
How do you earn cryptocurrency without investment?
You can consider playing poker freeroll tournaments on CoinPoker to earn free crypto without making an investment. Alternatively, a crypto rewards debit card pays crypto rewards for everyday purchases with no additional investment required.
How do you make money in crypto without money?
One of the best ways to make money in crypto is participating in the freeroll tournaments organized by CoinPoker. You can also consider crypto referral bonuses as rewards. As you build your balance over time, you can use those rewards to explore other profitable strategies like crypto lending or airdrop hunting that require some seed money.
What is the best way to earn crypto for free?
The easiest and likely the safest to earn free crypto is by participating in poker freeroll tournaments. Though it requires an element of skill, these competitions allows players to jump in on the action without financial barriers.
How do you earn free crypto like on CoinPoker?
As mentioned earlier, you can earn free crypto on CoinPoker through its lineup of rewarding freeroll tournaments. You can also earn a bonus of up to 1,100 USDT when you create a playing account and make a first-time deposit on the poker site.
References
- Arbitrum Airdrops $120M to Projects (finance.yahoo.com)
- Crypto companies crash into bankruptcy (reuters.com)
- A timeline of cryptocurrency exchange FTX’s historic collapse (abcnews.go.com)
- Publication 544 (2023), Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets (irs.gov)
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