Last updated on October 7, 2021

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Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continue to surge in search engine queries and public interest. A growing desire for bitcoin, blockchain, and digital currencies has produced many exchanges, apps, products, services, and blogs. The appetite to own cryptocurrencies is increasing as well. However, making money with bitcoin and cryptos goes beyond trading and investing in them.

Many crypto companies utilize affiliate marketing programs to grow their customer base, sales, and trading volumes. A merchant may use one or multiple cost per action (CPA) models, including cost per sale/pay per sale, cost per lead/pay per lead, and cost per transaction/pay per transaction. A transaction could be a trade, money transfer, deposit, or other activity involving money. For instance, the merchant will pay affiliates a commission rate of 40 percent on referral trading fees. That compensation plan is equivalent to a revenue share program.

Crypto exchanges and trading apps make up the bulk of affiliate program offers, followed by wallets and payment tools. Many programs don’t disclose their cookie duration, but you can assume 30 to 90 days. Many merchants lure publishers with recurring commission affiliate programs that pay for a user’s lifetime trading activities. For example, suppose you refer Alice to Paxful. Alice gets verified and starts trading, takes a break for a year, and then resumes trading. Regardless of when Alice trades, you’ll earn a percentage of her trading fees. On the other hand, some companies limit recurring payouts to months or cycles; for example, Coinbase limits revenue sharing to three months.

Best Cryptocurrency Affiliate Programs

Let’s review the best crypto and bitcoin affiliate programs in 2021. Many merchants pay affiliates cash, bitcoins, and cryptos, including litecoin, ethereum, and ripple. Several crypto companies use Impact, which is one of my favorite affiliate networks. The benefits of dealing with trustworthy networks are their tracking and payment efficiencies. You’ll also find many companies using in-house affiliate marketing software.

Some bloggers limit your earning potential and possibilities by listing 10 to 15 programs. Instead, I’ll provide you with a robust list of legitimate programs to increase your income and options. My list is based on company reputation, customer reviews, website rankings, earnings per click (EPC), payout minimum, and personal fortunes made (well, maybe not “fortunes”).

Crypto Trading Affiliate Programs

Paxful

Paxful is a top exchange for buying Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. Users can also become vendors and accept payments. As a leading P2P bitcoin marketplace, it supports 350+ payment methods. Learn more and join the Paxful affiliate program.

• Cost per action (CPA): Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 50%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

CoinSmart

CoinSmart takes the cryptic out of crypto. It offers trading tools for all levels of crypto investors, i.e., from beginners to advanced traders. Learn more and join the CoinSmart affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per lead
• Commission rate: Up to $50
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: Impact

Binance

Binance is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume and provides a comprehensive investing platform with access to hundreds of cryptos. Learn more and join the Binance affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 50%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Paybis

Paybis is a UK-based cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to purchase cryptocurrencies via credit, debit, and bank transfer. It supports many high-volume cryptos, including Bitcoin, Ripple, Litecoin, and more. Learn more and join the Paybis affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 20%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: BTC or cash
• Affiliate software/network: Affise

Coinrule

Coinrule makes automated trading easy with its crypto trading bot. Coinrule empowers traders to compete with professional algorithmic traders and hedge funds. No coding is required. Learn more and join the Coinrule affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per sale
• Commission rate: Up to 30%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cash or crypto
• Affiliate software/network: FirstPromoter

Bitfinex

Bitfinex‘s mission is to give its users the ultimate cryptocurrency trading experience. It offers trading tools, innovative technology, and excellent customer service. Learn more and join the Bitfinex affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 55%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

BitFLyer

Millions globally trust BitFlyer as a secure way to trade crypto. Getting started on BitFlyer requires three easy, fast, and secure steps. Learn more and join the BitFlyer affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per lead
• Commission rate: $5
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: Impact

BitMart

BitMart is a cryptocurrency services company offering spot, futures, and OTC trading. Learn more and join the BitMart affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 70%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

BitMEX

BitMEX is a P2P trading platform that offers leveraged contracts that are bought and sold in Bitcoin. Learn more and join the BitMEX affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 20%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Bitstamp

Bitstamp is one of the world’s longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges and supports trading between fiat currency, bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies. Learn about the Bitstamp affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 50%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: Impact

Bybit

Bybit is one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrency derivatives exchanges, with more than a million registered users. Learn more and join the Bybit affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 30%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

CEX

CEX is a leading cryptocurrency exchange offering Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Gold, Ethereum, Zcash, Dash, and other markets. Learn more and join the CEX affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 30%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Changelly

Changelly is a fast and secure way to exchange, trade, and purchase 150+ cryptocurrencies. Learn more and join the Changelly affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 60%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Coinbase

Coinbase supports heavily traded cryptos, including bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin, and more. It also offers tools and products for pro traders and businesses. Learn more and join the Coinbase affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 50%
• Commission type: Recurring (limited to three months)
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: Impact

Coinmama

Coinmama offers an easy, fast, and secure way to purchase Bitcoin and Ethereum. Affiliates earn Bitcoins while helping Coinmama gain new customers. Learn more and join the Coinmama affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 15%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Coinsquare

Coinsquare is Canada’s leading and most secure digital asset trading platform for trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dash, and more. Learn more and join the Coinsquare affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 45%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

eToro

eToro is a social trading and multi-asset brokerage company that focuses on providing financial and copy trading services. Learn more and join the eToro affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per lead
• Commission rate: $200
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: In-house and CJ Affiliate

FTX

FTX is a cryptocurrency derivatives exchange built by traders, for traders. It supports quarterly and perpetual futures for all major cryptocurrencies, leveraged tokens, and OTC. Learn more and join the FTX affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 40%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Huobi

Huobi Global is a leading global digital asset exchange with a global network of licenses. Learn more and join the Huobi affiliate program. (Alternatively, here’s the Huobi referral program.)

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 50%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Kraken

Kraken is one of the world’s largest and oldest bitcoin exchanges with the widest selection of digital assets and fiat currencies. Learn more and join the Kraken affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 20%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: Impact

KuCoin

KuCoin allows you to buy, sell, and trade hundreds of cryptocurrencies. If offers spot and derivative trading, lending, staking, and more. Learn more and join the KuCoin affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 40%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

LocalBitcoins

LocalBitcoins allows users to post advertisements regarding exchange rates and payment methods for buying and selling bitcoins. Learn more and join the LocalBitcoins affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 40%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

OKEx

OKEx is a secure crypto exchange that makes it easy to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more. Learn more and join the OKEx affiliate program. (Note: OKEx requires you to get 10 referrals before becoming eligible to join its affiliate program.)

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to 40%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Poloniex

Poloniex is one of the largest and most popular cryptocurrency market platforms in the world. It serves 100+ spot trading markets. Learn more and join the Poloniex referral program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 20%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Wazirx

Wazirx is one of India’s most trusted bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchanges. Buy, sell, and trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Tron, Litecoin, and more. Learn about the Wazirx referral program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 50%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Crypto Wallet Affiliate Programs

Like a traditional wallet that you use to store money, an altcoin or bitcoin wallet is used to store private keys—a string of letters and numbers that produce a specific bitcoin address. There are different types of wallets, and wallets are usually encrypted with passwords for maximum security.

TRASTRA

TRASTRA offers a cryptocurrency debit card for payments, a multi-currency wallet, and web and mobile apps for users in the EU and UK. Learn more and join the TRASTRA affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per sale and cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 5€ per card activation + 0.2% from crypto exchange volume
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring and recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Ledger Wallet

Ledger is a leader in security and infrastructure solutions for cryptocurrencies and blockchain applications. Learn more and join the Ledger Wallet affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per sale
• Commission rate: 10%
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house and Amazon Associates

TREZOR

TREZOR is a hardware wallet providing advanced security for handling bitcoin private keys. Learn more and join the TREZOR affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per sale
• Commission rate: 25%
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: Tune

Other Crypto Affiliate Programs

BlockFi

BlockFi helps crypto investors manage digital assets and earn crypto by offering crypto interest accounts, crypto trading, and crypto-backed loans. Learn more and join the BlockFi affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: Up to $500
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: Impact

Blockonomics

Blockonomics is a decentralized and permissionless Bitcoin payment solution. Accept Bitcoin directly, invoice anonymously, or be your own bank. Learn more and join the Blockonomics affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 30% (of 1% in fees)
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Bitcoin IRA

Bitcoin IRA allows you to invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ethereum Classic with your IRA. Learn more and join the Bitcoin IRA affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per lead
• Commission rate: $50
• Commission type: One-time, nonrecurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: CJ Affiliate

Cake

Cake empowers you to be in control of your finances by creating cash flow and harnessing the potential of decentralized finance (DeFi). Learn more and join the Cake DeFi affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: $25 + up to 1%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cryptocurrency
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

CoinPayments

CoinPayments is a digital currency payment solution allowing merchants to accept Bitcoin and over 1700 altcoins in their store through easy-to-use plugins, APIs, and POS interfaces. Learn more and join the CoinPayments affiliate program.

• CPA: Cost per transaction
• Commission rate: 25%
• Commission type: Recurring
• Payment type: Cash
• Affiliate software/network: In-house

Your Next Move

Can you make money with bitcoin and crypto affiliate programs? Yes, you can. Demand and access are increasing, millions of people trade cryptos, adoption is growing among institutional investors and big companies, and skeptics like Jamie Dimon, the CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase, are coming around. News about digital currencies and blockchain are breaking daily with M&A activity occurring frequently. Case in point, Binance acquired CoinMarketCap, a leading data source for the industry. Bad actors, legal dramas, and theft will also make headlines, so stay close to developments.

Be on the lookout for promising referral and affiliate programs. The crypto industry blurs the line between the two, and many merchants offer both. Binance and Coinbase, for instance, have referral and affiliate programs. Referral programs are typically for existing customers to promote to their family and friends. Also, they lack sophisticated tracking and reporting. On the other hand, affiliate programs are for marketers and content creators, including bloggers, YouTubers, and influences. Moreover, crypto affiliate programs pay some of the highest commission rates in affiliate marketing.

Amazon and eBay have affiliate programs and sell crypto-related products, including apparel, books, accessories, and more. Coursera, Skillshare, and other e-learning sites have online courses on the topic. You might also promote other financial affiliate programs to increase your commissions.

The crypto market is exciting but volatile and not for everyone. So, consider if your audience is a good fit. Scour the marketplace for high-paying affiliate programs because many exist. Promote the companies you use, like, and trust to legitimize your recommendations, as I’ve done on my tools and resources page. Digital currencies are an exciting development, so explore ways to make money with bitcoin.

Frequently Asked Questions