What is a crypto faucet?

A crypto faucet is a website or app that drips out small amounts of cryptocurrency for free. Some pay tiny amounts of real crypto in exchange for simple tasks. Others hand out testnet coins, which have no real value and exist so people can practice and test software.

How does a Bitcoin faucet work?

Bitcoin faucets date back to mid-2010, when developer Gavin Andresen built one that gave 5 BTC to each visitor. Bitcoin was worth less than a penny then, and the goal was to get coins into people's hands so the network could grow.

Modern faucets work differently. You usually complete a task such as solving a captcha, watching an ad or taking a survey. The faucet pays you in satoshis, often around 10 to 100 sats per claim. Many limit claims to once an hour or once a day.

Rewards often collect in a balance on the faucet site, and you can only withdraw once you reach a minimum. Some faucets pay out over the Lightning Network, because sending such tiny amounts on the main Bitcoin chain is inefficient.

What is a testnet faucet?

A testnet faucet gives away coins on a test network. Developers use these coins to try out apps and smart contracts without risking real money. You paste in your wallet address and receive a small amount.

On Ethereum, ethereum.org lists faucets for Sepolia, the recommended testnet for app developers, along with others. Testnet ETH is meant to have no value, though some has become scarce enough to be traded. You can read more in our guide to testnets.

How do faucets make money?

Most faucets that pay real crypto are funded by advertising. The operator earns from ads, referral fees or promotions and passes a small share to users. Early faucets were funded by their creators.

For users, the earnings are usually very small. Faucets are best seen as a way to learn how wallets and transfers work, not as a source of income.

Are faucets legit?

Some are, but the space has real risks. According to Ledger, problems include:

• Faucets that promise large payouts and never pay, or ask for money upfront.
• Links or downloads that lead to phishing pages or malware that can steal keys.
• Sites that collect personal details and sell them.
• On Ethereum-style chains, prompts to sign a malicious token approval that can drain a wallet.

A legitimate faucet never needs your seed phrase or private key. Using a separate wallet with little or no money in it, and reading every signature request, reduces the risk. See crypto phishing and wallet drainers and common crypto scams for warning signs.