Crypto points programs: what they are and what points do
Crypto points programs are app loyalty systems that track activity for future rewards. The points usually have no cash value and no promised token.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
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- Points are not crypto and usually have no cash value.
- You earn them through deposits, swaps, referrals, and staking.
- Rules can change, points can expire, and US access varies.
- If points become crypto, tax may apply; keep records.
A points program turns app activity into a score. The app may use that score to hand out crypto rewards later, but the score is not a balance you can withdraw.
What are crypto points programs?
A crypto points program is an app loyalty system. You do things inside the app, and the app records points instead of cash back. The app may promise future crypto rewards, such as a token or an airdrop, but the points are not crypto.
How do you earn points?
Apps hand out points for actions they want to see. The exact list is in each program's rules and can differ between apps.
- Deposit crypto or dollars.
- Swap one crypto for another.
- Refer new users.
- Stake tokens the app supports.
- Use app features such as quests.
What are the risks and limits?
Points usually have no cash value and no guaranteed token or airdrop. Rules can change, points can expire, and US eligibility may vary. If points become crypto, taxes may apply. The IRS treats crypto as property, so you need records of when you received it and what it was worth.
How are points different from airdrops?
Points track activity before a token exists. An airdrop is a token distribution after a project launches. A program may use points to decide who gets an airdrop, but points alone are not a token.
Frequently asked questions
Your points usually disappear because they live inside that app. They are not a claim on a token or cash. Some programs may announce a final reward, but most do not.
Most programs do not charge a joining fee. You often need an account, and some actions may require a deposit or a trade with its own costs.
A real program publishes rules and does not ask for your seed phrase or a payment to unlock points. Scams often promise a guaranteed airdrop. Use official app links and check the company's public terms.
