Starting with zero capital in crypto might seem impossible to many, but it’s not only possible—it’s actually something many people are already doing. In fact, you can earn crypto by simply dedicating your time, effort, and a bit of smart strategy. By farming airdrops, you can start crypto with $0 to $25k and beyond. The best part? You don’t need to invest any of your own money.
If you’re wondering how long it will take, the answer is it depends. For some lucky individuals, reaching $25k might only take 30 days if they hit the right airdrop at the right time. For others, it could take a year. The key is not to get discouraged. New airdrops are always popping up, and each one represents a potential jackpot for those who stay ahead of the curve.
In this guide, I’ll show you the 5 best ways to start crypto with $0 by farming airdrops. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to level up your airdrop game, there’s something here for you. Let’s dive in!
Study our detailed guide with strategies on how to farm airdrops in 2025
1. DePin Airdrops: No Investment, Just Devices
Do you have a phone or a laptop with an internet connection? Great! You can start farming DePin airdrops right now. DePin airdrops generally require you to run an extension or program that uses your internet, computing power, or data in exchange for crypto. It’s a straightforward and easy way to start earning.
One example of a successful DePin airdrop was the Grass airdrop. This gave most farmers a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. But the real pros were running multiple devices and farming several airdrops simultaneously, earning five-figure sums. If you’re committed and own more than one device, you can scale up your efforts and see bigger returns.
Check out more info on DePin airdrops and seven farming opportunities here.
2. Testnet Airdrops: A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way
Testnet airdrops are another fantastic opportunity to start crypto with $0. These airdrops reward you for testing new protocols on blockchain networks. While they might sound a bit more intimidating due to their technical nature, they’re actually one of the most lucrative airdrop opportunities. If you have some understanding of how blockchains and crypto work, this could be your ticket to significant rewards.
A prime example is Berachain, where a number of farmers made 3-4 figures in returns. But the real whales—those with more experience—saw returns exceeding six figures.
It’s important to note that farming from $0 to $25k takes time. Most of your wins will be small at first, but consistency is key. It’s all about stacking those small wins to build your portfolio.
Want to know how it works? Here’s a guide with 8 testnet airdrops to get started.
3. Gaming Airdrops: Fun and Profitable
Gaming is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing niches in the crypto world. You’ve probably heard of play-to-earn games, but did you know you can actually start crypto with $0 and earn by playing? This is where you can have fun and potentially earn a lot of money at the same time.
The gaming space has attracted a massive audience, with over a billion gamers worldwide. And in 2017, the Axie Infinity airdrop made a lot of people very wealthy. More recently, the $PIXEL airdrop has been a hit with farmers, with some seeing major profits.
Here’s a guide with 9 gaming airdrops you can farm today.
4. SocialFi Airdrops: Turn Socializing into Crypto Earnings
SocialFi is the latest buzzword in the crypto world. These airdrops reward you for engaging with social platforms or decentralized social applications. If you’re active on social media, you can easily tap into this sector to earn crypto by simply interacting with others.
One of the standout examples of SocialFi is Friendtech. By participating in this platform, you can earn crypto rewards just by being active. Another example is Kaito AI, which has its second season offering exciting airdrops for participants.
Check out the second season of Kaito AI for more SocialFi opportunities.
5. Engage to Earn: Complete Simple Tasks for Free Crypto
Engage to Earn is all about completing simple social tasks to earn crypto. These tasks often include things like liking posts, commenting, or completing basic surveys. No special skills are needed, making it an easy way to start hunting airdrops without any technical knowledge.
To qualify, you’ll usually need a minimum number of followers on your social media accounts—often 100 to 250. Just make sure your social accounts look human and active, or you risk being flagged as a bot. Don’t just spam retweets; engage with regular people too!
While these airdrops won’t make you rich overnight, you can earn small amounts of crypto consistently. Think of them as small wins that add up over time. A ton of meme coins offer this type of airdrop right now, but it’s not solely tied to memes.
Make sure to follow Airdrop Alert on X for daily updates on new airdrops in this category.
Step It Up: Make Your Crypto Work for You
Once you’ve earned some crypto through airdrops, it’s time to put it to work. With as little as $100, you can begin staking or trading to grow your portfolio faster.
1. Staking Airdrops: Earn Yield Plus More Airdrops
Staking is a process where you lock up your crypto to support a blockchain network, and in return, you earn rewards. This is a great way to farm more airdrops while also earning yield on your staked assets. You don’t need to be an expert—just follow the simple guides provided by platforms like Airdrop Alert.
An example of successful staking was Eigenlayer, which rewarded early participants with substantial airdrops.
Learn about staking airdrops and how to earn more rewards here.
2. Trading Airdrops: For the More Experienced
If you have some experience with crypto trading, you can farm trading airdrops through exchanges. By participating in decentralized exchanges (DEXs) or centralized exchanges (CEXs) trading competitions, you can earn substantial rewards.
The Hyperliquid airdrop is the biggest example, with traders earning seven-figure sums in rewards. You can also explore the Jupiter airdrop for Solana traders.
Here are 9 trading airdrops to check out.
Delta Neutral Farming: Minimize Risk, Maximize Rewards
Airdrop farming doesn’t have to be risky. You can farm airdrops in a delta-neutral way, meaning you minimize risk while still earning rewards. This can be done by either staking or trading crypto in a way that reduces exposure to market volatility.
You can stake delta neutral by taking opposite positions in the market, like long and short positions, or by using DEXs that offer delta-neutral strategies.
Explore how to farm delta-neutral airdrops here.
Keep Going: Don’t Stop at $25k
Congratulations! If you’ve reached $25k, that’s amazing. But don’t stop there. With a budget of $25k, it’s easier than ever to keep farming airdrops, staking, and trading to grow your crypto portfolio. Continue to explore new ecosystems, find fresh staking and trading opportunities, and keep hustling. The crypto world is full of potential, and your journey doesn’t have to end here.
Final Words On How to Start Crypto with $0
Going from $0 to $25k in crypto is achievable if you put in the work and stay consistent. Farming airdrops, staking, and trading are all ways to grow your portfolio without having to put any of your own money on the line (with delta neutral strategies). Remember, the journey takes time and patience, but with each airdrop you claim, you’re one step closer to your goal. Keep learning, keep farming, and keep growing your crypto. Good luck!
If you enjoyed this blog, check out this list of AI-related airdrops.
Don’t forget to claim your bonus below, and see you next time!
