There are dozens of crypto sign-up bonuses available for those willing to register for a new exchange. Often, they require making a small deposit.
In this article, we’ll compare the crypto promotions available from various exchanges, which you can use as a way to build your crypto portfolio or sell quickly for easy cash.
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Our Criteria For Determining the Best Crypto Sign-Up Bonus Offers
Free money often seems too good to be true. What might look like a good bonus on a landing page sometimes isn’t such a good deal upon reading the fine print.
To determine the best free crypto promotional offers, we looked at the following factors:
- The amount of the bonus. We compared the amount earned to the minimum deposit required to qualify for the bonus.
- Whether the funds you get can be moved to an external wallet. For many reasons, it’s important to own your digital assets and to have the ability to transfer them to an external crypto wallet.
- The specific cryptocurrency of the bonus offer. While a bonus in the native token of a platform does have value, we prioritized free bitcoin offers and other large-cap cryptocurrencies, like ethereum-based tokens.
- The required holding period. Often you must hold, or in some cases stake, your assets for a certain period of time. We prioritized offers with shorter holding periods, which allow you to withdraw funds sooner.
The Best Crypto Sign-Up Bonus Offers
Here’s a quick rundown of the best crypto bonuses available right now.
Platform | Bonus and Criteria to Earn |
Phemex | $10 in BTC or USD after opening an account and following on Twitter. |
TradeStation | $10 in BTC with a minimum $.01 deposit. |
Bitstamp | $50 in ETH after staking .2 ETH. |
Strike | $10 in USD after opening an account. |
Okcoin | $50 in BTC after making a trade of $100 or more. |
Voyager | $25 in BTC after making a $100 trade. |
Nexo | $25 in BTC after making a $100 deposit and maintaining that balance for 30 days. |
eToro | $10 in cash after purchasing $100 worth of crypto. |
BlockFi | $15 in BTC after making a $100 deposit. |
Coinbase | $10 in BTC after making a trade of $100 or more. |
Gemini | $10 in BTC after $100 of trading activity within the first 30 days. |
Rocketplace | $25 in BTC after making a $250 crypto trade. |
Lolli | $5 in BTC after making a qualifying purchase. |
Choice IRA | $50 in BTC upon opening an IRA (must fund with a minimum of $1). |
Cake Defi | $30 in DFI after making a $50 deposit. |
Abra | $25 in CPRX after making a $15 deposit. |
Webull | $5 of crypto after making an initial trade of $1 or more. |
Note: Many of these offers are based on referral codes where we both earn the bonus. Others are affiliate links, where The Ways To Wealth has a formal partnership with the exchange and may earn a commission if you sign up.
#1. Phemex
Bonus: | Multiple bonuses are available for up to $100 total. |
Holding period: | None. |
Phemex has a unique sign-up bonus in that you can get $10 in either USD or BTC by:
- Following Phemix on Twitter and retweeting their pinned tweet.
- Finishing the identity verification process.
Phemix will verify your activity within 24 hours.
The bonus is a trading bonus, which means that it can be used for contract trading on the platform (not directly withdrawn).
Bonuses come in two forms: USD trading bonuses (used for contracts settled in USD) and BTC trading bonuses (used for contracts settled in BTC).
You can earn a second $10 trading bonus by transferring at least the equivalent of 0.003 BTC or 0.04 ETH. Alternatively, you can buy those assets at their respective minimums on the platform to get the $10 bonus. This represents roughly a $100 purchase when BTC is at $33,000 and ETH is at $2,500.
A third $10 bonus is available for placing a single spot order with a $500 USDT or more value.
A fourth $10 bonus can be earned after you make a single trade on a BTCUSD-BTC margin contract with $5,000 or more.
Then, you can earn a $60 BTC bonus by depositing:
- BTC ≥ 0.05
- USDT ≥ 2000
- ETH ≥ 1.5
- LINK ≥ 80
- XTZ ≥ 700
- LTC ≥ 15
And, for larger traders, you can get an additional $60 bonus if your trading volume exceeds $50,000.
There are over $100 in promotional offers combined, with the first two mentioned here being the easiest to earn.
Visit the Phemex promotions page.
#2. TradeStation
Bonus: | $10 in BTC with a minimum $.01 deposit. |
Holding period: | None. |
In our testing, TradeStation proved to be the easiest bonus to secure. While the value isn’t as high as others on this list, you can earn it with a minimum deposit of just one cent.
Plus, you can transfer your BTC to an external wallet.
Overall, TradeStation doesn’t offer the range of features available on other exchanges. Nonetheless, it’s a solid low-fee platform for beginners looking to invest in blue-chip assets like BTC and ETH.
Visit TradeStation’s website to sign up.
#3. Bitstamp
Bonus: | $10 or $50 for staking ALGO or ETH holdings, in accordance with the rules and reward tier outlined below. |
Holding period: | If you stake ALGO, the bonus is paid 30 days after the promotional period ends. If you stake ETH, the bonus is paid after the Ethereum 2.0 merge. |
Bitstamp has a limited-time promotion that allows you to earn up to $50 in ETH or ALGO for staking your holdings. (This promo ends on July 2, 2022, at 11:59:59 p.m. EST)
The terms of the promo are as follows:
- Step 1: Opt-in for “Earn Promo” and accept the terms.
- Step 2: Buy or transfer at least 0.1 ETH or $100 in ALGO (the “Minimum Amount”) to your Bitstamp account.
- Step 3: Stake at least the minimum amount within your Bitstamp account. Note that for ALGO, staking is automatic after ALGO hits your Bitstamp account, whereas for ETH, staking must be chosen manually within your Bitstamp account.
- Step 4: Maintain at least the minimum amount staked for the “Minimum Staking Period” which is either 30 days after the “Earn Promo” period ends (for ALGO) or until after the Ethereum 2.0 merge as per the Ethereum protocol rules and limitations (for ETH).
Rewards are paid based on the amount and currency of your deposit:
Amount Staked | Reward |
0.1 ETH | $10 in ETH |
0.2 ETH | $50 in ETH |
$100 in ALGO | $10 in ALGO |
$500 in ALGO | $50 in ALGO |
This promo is only available to U.S. residents.
Visit Bitstamp.
#4. Strike
Bonus: | $10 in USD after opening an account, with no deposit or trading requirements. |
Holding period: | None. |
Strike is available as an iOS and Android app, and as a Chrome browser extension. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll have to verify your identity, which may include ID submission for U.S. residents (and may take a day or two).
Strike then immediately admits all users into their “Give $10/Get $10” referral program, which will enable you to earn $10 for every user that registers for an account, up to $400 a year.
While the referral link below should auto-populate the proper code, you can slo manually enter D2GLUA during the signup process to earn your bonus.
Visit Strike.
#5. Okcoin
Bonus: | $50 in BTC after making a trade of $100 or more. |
Holding period: | 180 days. |
Okcoin is an international crypto exchange that offers 20 different assets, including BTC and ETH.
The $50 BTC bonus is awarded instantly upon purchasing $100 or more of any crypto asset on the platform. Users must deposit their local currency to the platform.
Note that transfers of existing crypto assets into your Okcoin wallet do not qualify for the promotion. Also, keep in mind that you must hold your bitcoin for 180 days before you’re allowed to withdraw it.
Visit Okcoin.
#6. Voyager
Bonus: | $25 in BTC after making a $100 trade. |
Holding period: | None |
Referral code: | 25C7991AC |
Voyager is a commission-free exchange, making it a good option for crypto beginners and crypto traders. Instead of commissions, Voyager collects a small spread fee when it’s able to execute an order at a better price than what you’re quoted. On small trades (such as those of less than $100), this can amount to just a few cents.
To earn the sign-up bonus, you must make an initial deposit and trade $100 worth of crypto in the first 30 days. The reward is applied to your account within three days of meeting the minimum trading requirement, and no holding period is required to withdraw.
This Voyager referral link needed to earn the bonus should apply automatically when you click the link below, but enter 25C7991AC if asked for a code.
Visit Voyager.
#7. Nexo
Bonus: | $25 in BTC after making a $100 deposit and maintaining that balance for 30 days. |
Holding period: | 30 days. |
Nexo is a crypto exchange and lending platform that allows you to earn interest on your crypto holdings or take out a loan using your crypto assets as collateral.
The $25 BTC bonus is earned after completing registration, and requires funding a $100 balance.
While you earn the bonus instantly, it’s locked-up for 30 days.
Visit Nexo.
#8. eToro
Bonus: | $10 in cash credited to your account balance after purchasing $100 worth of crypto. |
Holding period: | The crypto you purchase must be held for 30 days to qualify for the bonus. |
While eToro is a well-known worldwide brokerage, they’re offering U.S. residents a $10 bonus after purchasing $100 worth of crypto. You can reach the $100 minimum with either a single $100 trade or with multiple trades that total $100 in value.
You’ll get the $10 reward within 30 days after reaching the minimum purchase amount. The crypto you buy must then be held for 30 days before it can be sold or transferred to your private wallet.
Learn more about the platform in our in-depth eToro crypto review.
Visit eToro to get the bonus.
#9. BlockFi
Bonus: | $15 in BTC after making a $100 deposit. |
Holding period: | Maintain a $100 balance through the 14th of a month that is two and a half months from the month of eligibility. |
BlockFi provides a tiered bonus for those who trade or fund their account. The lowest tier is a $15 BTC bonus for maintaining a $100 balance through the 14th of a month that is two and a half months from the month of eligibility.
For example, if you make a deposit on January 1st, you’ll get the bonus on March 14th.
The amount of BTC you earn increases based on your average balance over the course of those first two and half months:
Average Balance | BTC Bonus Earned |
$100 – $1,500 | $15 |
$1,500 – $19,999 | $20 |
$20,000 – $39,999 | $40 |
$40,000 – $74,999 | $75 |
$75,000 – $99,999 | $100 |
$100,000+ | $250 |
While BlockFi was once known for its interest-earning savings account, recent SEC regulations have restricted new customers’ access to this account. You can still trade and lend crypto on BlockFi, and if you’re interested in earning some more free crypto, check out their credit card, which pays 1.5% back in crypto on all purchases.
Visit BlockFi.
#10. Gemini
Bonus: | $10 in BTC after $100 of trading activity within the first 30 days. |
Holding period: | None. |
The popular Gemini exchange allows you to buy, sell, and store digital assets on their platform. New users get a $10 bonus for buying or selling $100 worth of crypto within 30 days of opening an account. A separate promotion rewards you with $50 in BTC for trading $500 within three days of signing up.
The bonus will hit your account within two business days after the qualifications are met. Note that Gemini requires you to link a bank account to make a deposit — credit cards, debit cards and PayPal/Venmo accounts are not accepted.
Gemini $10 Bonus.
Gemini $50 for $500.
#11. Rocketplace
Bonus: | $25 in BTC after making a $200 trade. |
Holding period: | Must maintain your balance for at least three days. |
Rocketplace is a newer crypto exchange based out of San Francisco that allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies commission-free.
Currently, you can earn a $25 BTC bonus after purchasing $200 in any cryptocurrency Rocketplace supports (they now list 17 tradable currencies on the platform). The bonus deposits in your account after three business days.
In addition to the one-time bonus, Rocketplace has a tiered-bonus program for higher value trades.
Currently, you can earn the following.
Purchase Size: | Get: |
$10,000 — $19,999 | $50 in BTC |
$20,000 — $49,999 | $100 in BTC |
$50,000 — $74,999 | $300 in BTC |
$75,000 — $99,999 | $525 in BTC |
$100,000 — $199,999 | $800 in BTC |
$200,000 — $499,999 | $1,700 in BTC |
$500,000+ | $4,500 in BTC |
Bonuses are paid out within three days after a purchase.
Rokcetplace is available to U.S. residents in the following states:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Visit Rocketplace.
#12. Coinbase
Bonus: | $10 in BTC after making a trade of $100 or more. |
Holding period: | None. |
The popular Coinbase app offers a bonus of $10 in BTC for either buying or selling $100 worth of crypto on the platform within 180 days of opening an account.
You’re not eligible for the reward if you already have a Coinbase account, even if you’ve never made a trade. Additionally, Coinbase Pro accounts and trades are not eligible for the bonus.
Visit Coinbase.
Pro tip: Coinbase Learn and Earn is one of the easiest ways to get free crypto. Throughout the year, Coinbase offers you the chance to learn about new coins listed on the platform and earn a small reward — typically in the range of $3 to $5.
#13. Lolli
Bonus: | $5 in BTC after making a qualifying purchase. |
Holding period: | Reach the minimum withdrawal threshold of $15. |
Loli isn’t a crypto exchange but rather a crypto-back shopping portal. If you’re new to the concept, you can use a site like Loli to earn extra cash-back (in the form of crypto) on your online purchases.
To earn the $5 crypto bonus, just open an account and make a qualifying purchase at any participating retailer, which includes Nike, Lowes, eBay and Priceline — as well as 1,000 other top brands.
Once your account balance reaches $15, you can transfer your bitcoin to an external wallet.
Visit Loli.
#14. Choice IRA
Bonus: | $50 in BTC upon opening an IRA (must fund with a minimum of $1). |
Holding period: | Retirement account withdrawal rules apply. |
Choice IRA is a self-directed IRA platform that makes it easy and affordable to hold crypto assets inside of your retirement account. You can learn more about the platform in our in-depth Choice IRA review.
Their current sign-up bonus rewards you with $50 in BTC for opening a self-directed IRA with Choice and depositing at least $1.
Keep in mind that this is a retirement account, which means:
- You must meet the qualifications for utilizing an IRA.
- You must hold the assets in your account (or you’ll pay a penalty).
Visit Choice IRA.
Related Reading: There’s a lot to like about Choice; however, if you’re considering investing a more significant sum into an IRA, check our rankings of best crypto IRA accounts.
#15. Cake Defi
Bonus: | $30 in DFI after making a $50 deposit. |
Holding period: | None. |
Referral code: | 141658 |
Cake DeFi is a decentralized platform that gives you the ability to make money by lending, mining and staking your crypto assets.
You’ll get a $30 reward in DFI (DeFiChain) for depositing $50. DFI has a current market cap of over $2 billion as of May 2022.
Cake Defi also offers a “Learn & Earn” section (similar to Coinbase), which allows you to earn a free $5 in DFI for about five minutes of your time.
Visit Cake Defi.
#16. Abra
Bonus: | $25 in CPRX after making a $15 deposit and maintaining a $15 minimum account balance for 30 days. |
Holding period: | None. |
Referral code: | RCWFBJHDD |
Abra allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, offers high yield interest accounts for crypto holders, and features lending services. Abra reports having over 2 million users and $1.5 billion in assets under management.
You’ll be rewarded with $25 in CPRX for opening an account, depositing $15 and maintaining a $15 account balance for 30 days. You can hold your CPRX or sell it immediately.
CPRX (Crypto Perx) is an ERC-20 token created by Crypto Banking Alliance as a way to reward firms like Abra for onboarding more users safely into crypto.
Visit Abra.
#17. Webull
Bonus: | $5 of ADA, BTC, DOGE, ETH or SHIB after making an initial trade of $1 or more. |
Holding period: | None. |
Webull is known for its commission-free stock trading platform, which you can learn more about in our Webull review. However, they also allow you to trade a limited number of cryptocurrencies on the platform.
Webull gives you $5 in your choice of a variety of coins upon completing a trade of at least $1. You can combine that bonus with Webull’s free stock offer, which allows you to earn free shares upon making an initial deposit into a brokerage account.
With both the crypto and free stock bonus, you can sell immediately and withdraw from your account.
Important Note: You cannot transfer your crypto from Webull to an external wallet.
Visit Webull.
Check out this list of ways to get free shares of stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Know Your Customer (also referred to as KYC) is a method of verifying your identity to protect crypto exchanges from fraud and money laundering, and to help prevent the financing of crime. All crypto exchanges operating within the United States require customers to go through a KYC process before opening an account.
The specific method varies by platform, but when testing out offers, the most common one I experienced was being required to upload a picture of the front and back of a government-issued photo ID.
Just as there are ways to get free money, there are plenty of ways to get free crypto. Sign-up bonuses are among the easiest methods. However, as we detail in our guide on how to get free bitcoin, other ways include Coinbase Learn opportunities, crypto-back credit cards, airdrops and more.
Our top crypto app sign-up bonus is TradeStation’s $10 BTC bonus for opening an account. This bonus is awarded instantly and you’re able to withdraw it immediately to an external wallet.