From just 30 minutes day you can make $1000+ for free by interacting with projects.
It sounds scammy but it’s not. This blog will teach you all you need to know about testnets, and how you can make this as a side hustle. This is a way to make money from crypto and earn crypto from projects early on.
What are testnets and why do they exist?
Essentially Testnets are like the “sandbox” version of a blockchain. A place where developers test their network before lauching it live onto the Mainnet. There’s numerous reasons they would do this such as to stress-test their systems. They reward tokens to early testers and developers through airdrops.
These rewards are no joke either. You may have heard of Arbitrum for example. They started out as a testnet and early users saw rewards as high as $10,000. All they had to do was interact with the testnet a few minutes a day at most. They reward users because they want to give users incentives to test their project and also for brand and engagement.
How to earn from testnets (step-by-step breakdown)
Step 1:
You will need a wallet. We recommend a self-custodian wallet like MetaMask or Phantom wallet. These are the key ones as of date, however always do your own research (DYOR).
It’s also imporant to use a new address. You will be interacting with early projects with barely any reviews so it’s always best to stay safe. Always be vary of links and avoid scams. Make sure you’re interacting with official sources.
Step 2:
Find legit testnets to interact with. This is the hardest part. You will need to find projects with good funding and promising projects. You can use aggregators like Galxe, Kaito, wallchain quacks to find early testnets.
(We have our own X account where we post updates on testnets, protocol projects and alphas)
We are currently grinding on Monad and Pharos.
Step 3:
Interact with the protocol. Examples include: swap tokens, stake toens, mint NFTs, add liquidity. These use free faucet tokens.
Step 4:
Stay consistent and track progress: Most people don’t get rewards as airdrops require consistency and loyalty. It’s also not certain you will get any rewards so that instantly puts many people off, however that’s also why rewards are so high. You may have to interact daily/weekly for months on end. I also recommend using Notion or a simple excel template to track tasks and follow their socials to be aware of any updates.
Step 5:
Wait for mainnet launch and claim rewards: Projects have a criteria on who is eligible for awards, they typically award users who have been using their testnet for a considerate amount of time and have completed a solid amount of transactions. They also do an eligibility check on their website where users can see if they been eligible for an air drop. Be patient and stay consistent.
How to spot legit vs Scam projects
Always check project’s official socials and documentation.
Avoid connecting wallets to shady websites.
Never pay to “join” a testnet.
Check community size and engagement.
Pro-tips to maximise rewards
You can use multiple wallets. However it’s recommended not to as for testnets, the quality of your interactions matter more than the quantity. Furthermore, if you have multiple wallets, interacting in a similar fashion, this can be marked as sybil and you will not be eligible for rewards.Be active in communities. Some airdrops track Discord/X engagement and has start to become a popular criteria.Keep faucet tokens handy. Always claim.Record your actions.
Conclusion
This isn’t about luck. It’s about showing up everyday and being consistent. It’s about being early and staying curious. Put in the effort because testnets are the new gold rush. You’re not gambling and you’re not risking any capital. You’re earning experience.
Follow our X for more DeFi related content and early testnets signals
How to make $1000+ from $0 capital with Crypto Testnets (2025 Guide) was originally published in Coinmonks on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.