Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn passive income for every influencer. If you already have an active follower base, joining an affiliate marketing program should be your next step. Crypto affiliate marketing programs are trending these days and whether you’re a crypto influencer, crypto enthusiast, or just a crypto newbie, you should definitely check them out.
Top 15 Lucrative Cryptocurrency Affiliate Marketing Programs:
Finding the Best Affiliate Marketing Program
There are thousands of affiliate marketing programs for different niches and sub-niches. The niche you have expertise in likely already has a thriving program and it's simply a matter of finding one that suits your content strategy.
If you haven’t tried or considered affiliate marketing before, our comprehensive affiliate marketing guide will show you how easy and rewarding it is. All you need is the right program, an active follower base, and the commitment to promote your affiliate links to your audience. To find the right program, you need to consider the following:
- Does it align with your niche?
- Is the product or service something you can personally use?
- Are the commission rates worth the effort you’d spend promoting the product?
- Is the affiliate marketing software intuitive?
- Does it have a lot of affiliate partners?
When choosing an affiliate marketing program, always consider your reputation as an influencer. Don’t simply join one just because of the high commission rates. You must have a personal conviction that the product or service is something worth your audience’s time and resources.
What Is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that rely on decentralized servers instead of a centralized authority (like banks). They are powered by blockchain technology, which is a rapidly developing technology with various applications. If you’ve dreamed of creating NFTs (non-fungible tokens), then you certainly need cryptocurrencies.
Some popular examples of cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Cardano, and XRP. Bitcoin is the oldest and easiest to buy. But aside from these, there are also thousands of cryptocurrencies with more being minted every second.
People are drawn to cryptos because they are quick and straightforward to use. You just need a computer to transfer one from a digital wallet to another. Cryptocurrency transactions are recorded in a public ledger (blockchain), so every transaction can be traced, preventing fraud. You don’t need to pay processing fees to any intermediaries like banks, making it cheaper to use.
However, the values of cryptocurrencies are very volatile. They change drastically, which means your coins can be worth more or less today compared to yesterday. If you lose your digital wallet or it gets stolen, you lose your coins forever. There’s no way to retrieve them since there’s no governing body regulating digital currencies. Because of their appeal, cryptocurrency exchanges are prone to cyber-attacks. There are also numerous crypto investment scams on the Internet that trick unsuspecting individuals.
Despite the drawbacks, cryptocurrencies hold a lot of promise. Top crypto influencers are already educating the public on how to invest wisely in digital currencies. Crypto marketing agencies are already helping companies connect with crypto influencers. It’s a growing space that welcomes a lot of dedicated content creators and influencers.
Top 15 Best Cryptocurrency Affiliate Marketing Programs
There are many ways to enter the crypto game and earn from it. Most people will simply go to a digital currency exchange and use fiat currency (dollars or euros) to exchange for any coin (Bitcoin, ETH, XRP, etc.) depending on the prevailing exchange rate. Others would participate in programs like games and surveys where they can earn free coins in exchange. A great way to earn cryptocurrencies is through affiliate marketing programs.
Crypto companies like digital exchanges, NFT marketplaces, and digital wallets, use affiliate marketing programs to grow their customer base. With hundreds of crypto companies, there’s fierce competition and affiliate marketing programs are one way to get an edge. There are many different crypto affiliate niches with different commissions and payout cycles.
Here are some of the top niches and commission examples:
| Top Niches | Commission Examples |
| Trading | $1,200 per active user |
| Lending | $500 per transaction |
| Wallets | 15% per sale |
| De-Fi | $25 per transaction |
| Payments | 10% per sale |
| NFTs | 20% per sale |
Source: Digital Fodder
There are hundreds of crypto affiliate programs out there and it can be hard to choose. We’ve narrowed down the list to include only companies with top reputations, competitive commissions, and timely payouts. When deciding on an affiliate program, remember to always consider what would work for your audience.
Top 15 Crypto Trading Affiliate Programs
1. Binance
Commission Rate: Up to 50% of referral trading fees
Payment Method: Cryptocurrency
Every aspiring crypto influencer can’t get away with talking about cryptocurrencies without mentioning Binance. It is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges established in 2017 by Changpeng Zhao. The exchange supports major cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies. It also has its own coin: Binance Coin (BNB).
Binance’s affiliate program gives 40%-50% commission for every qualified trade. This is dependent on the number of successful sign-ups your affiliate link produces. Binance also has a Binance Future Affiliates Program that pays 72,000 USDT monthly on top of commissions. There’s no maximum cap or time limits for commissions.
Binance uses an in-house affiliate network and there’s a manual approval process. Influencers must have at least 5,000 followers on one or more social media platforms (Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to qualify. Opinion leaders with their own communities must have at least 500 members in one or more community groups (Reddit, Telegram, Facebook, etc.) to be considered.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Huge lifetime commissions | Manual approval process |
| Attractive Bonuses | In-house affiliate network |
| Well-known platform with high credibility |
2. Coinbase
Commission: 50% of referral trading fees for the first three months
Payment Method: Local fiat currency ($, €, £, etc.)
Coinbase is another prominent brand name in the cryptocurrency world. It’s an exchange platform that supports heavily traded cryptos like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others. It was founded in 2012 to promote decentralized currencies and create an equal world.
Coinbase has over 98M users across more than 100 countries. Users trust the platform because it offers crypto-insurance up to $250,000. This makes it attractive for newbie crypto investors who are still familiarizing themselves with digital currencies.
Coinbase’s affiliate program lets you earn a 50% commission from your referral’s trading fees for the first three months. You can get paid in your local currency through PayPal or your local bank. It also uses Impact, which is affiliate marketing software known for its intuitive interface that lets you track your campaigns and monitor your link’s performance.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Huge commissions paid in local currency | Limited timeline for referral commission |
| Intuitive affiliate marketing software | |
| A highly credible platform that offers crypto-insurance |
3. Ledger
Commission: 10% from every sale
Payment Method: Bitcoin
Hardware wallets protect cryptocurrencies from malicious individuals. They are the most secure way to store a user’s private keys (a string of characters needed to authorize outgoing transactions on the blockchain). Ledger was founded in 2014 and provides the best-in-class hardware wallets certified by ANSSI, the French cyber security agency.
Its wallets feature Secure Element chips and a custom operating system. There are two kinds available: a daily wallet for regular transactions and crypto safe for future transactions. Ledger wallets are trusted by more than four million customers worldwide.
Ledger’s affiliate program pays a 10% referral commission from every sale. It also gives extra privileges to affiliates such as free Ledger devices, sponsorship opportunities, access to exclusive Ledger events, community giveaways, and exclusive NFT drops. Payouts are done using Bitcoin, making it possible to earn free Bitcoins from its affiliate program. It uses in-built affiliate software and Awin, a global affiliate network.
Ledger wallets are also available on Amazon, which is great for Amazon Associates.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Earn free Bitcoins | Low commission rates |
| Promote an essential and successful product | One-time commission |
| Available on Amazon |
4. Trezor
Commission: 12-15% from every sale
Payment Method: Bitcoin or wire transfer in EUR
Trezor is another crypto hardware wallet that’s popular among crypto users. It supports more than 1,000 coins and comes in two models with different capabilities. It’s beginner-friendly with an intuitive interface and dedicated premium support.
Trezor’s affiliate program pays 12-15% commission for every sale. Considering that it has premium items selling from 200-530 Euros, you can earn a lot of affiliate commissions from promoting Trezor products. Affiliates can receive commissions such as Bitcoins or Euros.
It also offers support for its affiliates by providing customizable promotional materials and 24/7 online access to a management platform.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Earn free Bitcoins | Monthly payouts |
| Promote an essential and successful product | One-time commission since hardware wallets are one-off purchases |
| Respectable commissions rates |
5. Changelly
Commission: 50% lifetime
Payment Method: Currency of crypto trading
Changelly is a hybrid crypto exchange established in 2015. You don’t need to deposit cash or crypto in Changelly to process an exchange. You can trade using 150 different cryptos or buy cryptos using a Visa card.
Changelly affiliates earn 50% commission from the transaction fees of their referral’s successful trades. Changelly charges a flat fee of 0.25% for every crypto-to-crypto trade. Anyone can sign up to be an affiliate and approval is almost instantaneous. Once approved, you get access to a range of affiliate tools like widgets, banners, and links, which you can customize to match your brand.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| 50% lifetime commissions | Low transaction fees |
| Range of promotional tools | |
| Well-established platform |
6. CoinLedger
Commission: 25% recurring
Payment Method: PayPal
Cryptocurrencies are not exempt from tax obligations. Dealing with taxes can be complicated especially with the addition of cryptocurrency assets. CoinLedger simplifies the accounting process. Simply upload trading documents or connect your exchanges and wallets to its site and CoinLedger will automatically calculate your taxes.
Its affiliate program has a lucrative 25% recurring commission rate paid every time your referrals use the platform for their tax computations. They help affiliates promote the platform using social media posts, emails, and other marketing materials created to maximize conversion. Payments are processed via PayPal 30 days from the date of request.
CoinLedger claims affiliates have earned more than $50,000 promoting their solution.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Lifetime recurring commissions | In-house affiliate software program |
| Easy-to-use platform | |
| Well-established platform |
7. LocalBitcoins
Commission: 20% of trading fees
Payment Method: Bitcoin
LocalBitcoins is an online marketplace that facilitates Bitcoin trading for cash. Users can buy or sell Bitcoin in exchange for fiat currency. The site allows for trading in 248 countries and was established in 2012 by Nikolaus Kangas, a Finnish entrepreneur.
In LocalBitcoins, traders deal directly with each other. The site is only a portal that introduces the buyer and seller. Risks of person-to-person crypto trades are eliminated using an escrow wallet. Affiliates earn 20% from trading fees collected by the platform for every successful trade. If you introduce both the buyer and seller to the platform, you’ll earn a 40% commission.
Payouts are daily and made in Bitcoins, but commissions are earned one year from the user’s registration. Affiliates can link to any individual page and listing from the site and affiliate cookies last three months.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Creative banners and text links | Limited to Bitcoin trades |
| Offers a free way to earn Bitcoins | One-year grace period for commissions |
| Daily payouts |
8. Coinmama
Commission: 30% lifetime
Payment Method: Cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies
Coinmama boasts of having the most loyal affiliate program available in 188 countries. The platform started as a brokerage firm in 2013 where users can buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum. It has expanded to include other major coins like XRP, DOGE, and Litecoin.
To purchase cryptos from Coinmama, users can use their bank accounts and credit cards to purchase any digital currency. Once successful, the digital currencies are credited to the user’s digital wallet. Crypto holders can also sell their cryptos and receive USD and EUR directly to their bank accounts.
As a brokerage, Coinmama charges a bit more for trades on their platforms. Affiliates get a 30% share in these trading fees every time their referrals make a trade. This is a lifetime commission without limits.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| 30% lifetime commissions | Higher transaction fees for users |
| Established platform | Once a month payout |
| Receive commissions in fiat currencies |
9. Paxful
Commission: 50%
Payment Method: Bitcoin
Paxful is one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges that offer Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. It’s unique compared to other exchanges because users have the option to become vendors and accept payments. Paxful is also a leading P2P bitcoin marketplace, supporting more than 350 payment methods.
Paxful offers two tiers to earn affiliate commissions. The 1st tier offers 50% of the escrow fee from direct affiliates. The 2nd tier offers 10% of the escrow fee from referrals of your affiliates. This is a lifetime commission earned for every successful trade. Paxful charges 1% of the trade amount as an escrow fee, which means you can earn a lot depending on the trade volume your affiliates make.
Affiliates are paid in cryptocurrencies and can cash out once they accumulate $10 worth of Bitcoin. Affiliates can also use the Bitcoins they earned to trade on the platform and earn extra.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Two tiers of lifetime commission | In-house affiliate marketing software |
| Unlimited income opportunity | Cash out only at $10 worth of Bitcoin |
| Offers a free way to earn cryptos |
10. Coinrule
Commission: 25%-30% per sale
Payment Method: Cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies
Not everyone has the time and patience to actively trade cryptocurrencies. Coinrule addresses this issue with its automated crypto trading bots. The platform provides over 150 rules such as stop-loss, daily top performance, and trend balancing that helps traders automate their trades without using any codes.
Coinrule offers affiliates 25% on the first 12 months of subscription and 30% on the first annual payment. Coinrule plans start at $29.99/month or $359 per year for a hobbyist trader who trades $3,000 to $50,000 worth of cryptocurrencies. It goes up to $449.99/month or $5,399 per year for professional traders whose trades start at $300k. If you can round up a bunch of heavy hitters, you can definitely earn a lot from Coinrule’s affiliate marketing program.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Simple commission structure | Small commissions unless you refer professional traders |
| Great affiliate reporting tools provided by FirstPromoter | Limited payout methods |
| Easy-to-understand subscription plans for users |
11. Bybit
Commission: 30% for direct affiliates and 10% for sub-affiliates
Payment Method: Cryptocurrency
Bybit is currently the largest and fastest-growing cryptocurrency derivatives exchange platform. It has more than five million registered users and promotes itself as a one-stop crypto destination. Aside from trading cryptocurrencies, it also offers an NFT marketplace where artists and creators can mint their NFTs. It also offers stablecoin-margined options contracts to help crypto investors expand their portfolios.
Its rise in popularity can be credited to its competitive affiliate marketing program, which pays one of the highest commissions in the industry. Affiliates earn a 30% trader commission share from every direct referral. They also earn a 10% sub-affiliate commission reward from every referral of their direct affiliates. Commissions are settled in real time and displayed in transparent multi-dimensional reports.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Two-tier commission program | Relatively new platform |
| Competitive commission rates | In-house affiliate software |
| Affiliate support: promotional items, dashboard, one-on-one assistance |
12. KuCoin
Commission: Up to 40% of trading fees
Payment Method: Cryptocurrency
KuCoin is one of the largest and most used cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. According to its site, one out of four crypto holders uses KuCoin. Aside from spot trades, KuCoin offers derivative trading, lending, staking, play-to-earn NFT games, and others.
KuCoin affiliates earn 40% trading fees from their referrals. If their invitee decides to become a KuCoin affiliate, you’re credited an additional 5% referral bonus. There’s also a global affiliate program for influencers who are local experts and devoted to promoting cryptocurrency in their local area. Global affiliates can earn up to 50% commissions on the total trading fees of the country or region they’re in. They also receive brand endorsements and special privileges directly from KuCoin.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| High commission rates | Manual approval |
| Second-level commissions (referral bonus) | In-house affiliate software |
| Established global brand |
13. Bitcoin IRA
Commission: $75 per lead
Payment Method: Cash
Investing portions of your retirement funds in Bitcoin is a wise investment move. It allows you to maximize your retirement funds and also gives you tax benefits. Bitcoin IRA allows trading for up to 60+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu. It allows you to earn up to 6% interest in your IRA and all assets are insured for up to $700 million.
Bitcoin IRA runs a straightforward affiliate marketing program. Simply refer to an IRA holder and once they sign up, you earn $75. Signing up is easy and free. The platform uses CJ Affiliate, one of the top affiliate marketing software platforms for 2022. Cookie length is only 30 days, but it provides creative support like landing pages and deep links to help you build successful campaigns. Referrals are unlimited and you can refer as many IRA users as you can.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Straightforward commissions | One-time commission |
| The large potential pool of investors (number of IRA holders) | 30-day cookie length |
| Easy-to-use affiliate software |
14. StormGain
Commission: up to 50% on gross revenue or max of $1,200
Payment Method: Cash
StormGain allows crypto investors to profit from the volatility of the crypto market. Using cryptocurrency futures contracts, its goal is to make cryptocurrency trading profitable for everyone. It’s available in 230+ countries and has more than 5M clients. Users can choose from different options like Forex, stocks, and CFDs of major markets. The platform also accepts trades of the most popular cryptocurrencies with up to a 500x multiplier. It’s a great platform to promote to investors looking for flexibility.
Affiliates can choose from two commission plans: the CPA plan or the revenue sharing program. You can earn a one-time commission of up to $1,200 for each qualified trader or you can get up to 50% of the gross revenue (spread). There’s a personal affiliate manager who will help you get the highest conversion rates and answer all your inquiries.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Competitive and high commissions | Unregulated in most countries |
| Flexible platform | |
| Choose from two ways to earn |
15. CoinSmart
Commission: $50 CAD per referral
Payment Method: Cash
CoinSmart is the platform that aims to make crypto simple. They designed the platform to be understandable for beginners and powerful for experts. Users are verified instantly and can trade within minutes of signing up. The company is registered with FINTRAC and is regulated to ensure the safety of its customers. Users can also accept payments and make invoices in Bitcoins.
CoinSmart has a simple affiliate program. Affiliates earn $20 for every referral who verifies their account and $30 when they make their first deposit. Affiliates can earn a total of $50 from every verified trader. The platform uses Impact as the affiliate network and provides affiliates with a robust dashboard to track their campaigns. There’s no limit to the number of referrals and affiliates can access premade assets that are easy to deploy.
| ?Benefits | ?Drawbacks |
| Simple and unlimited commissions | Limited crypto-asset selection |
| Beginner-friendly platform | |
| Intuitive affiliate marketing software |
Getting Started in Cryptocurrency Affiliate Marketing
Cryptocurrency affiliate marketing programs are the easiest and most lucrative ways to earn money from digital currencies without spending a dime. With the right program, you can earn thousands of dollars with just a few referrals.
Regardless of whether or not you think you're a crypto influencer, if you have a sizable following, there's a fair chance that some of them are interested in cryptocurrency. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about these digital currencies and educate your audience along the way. As listed above, there are perfect crypto affiliate marketing programs for beginners. Why not join one as you’re finding your way in the crypto world?
Just bear in mind that when dealing with cryptocurrencies, you need to look out for the following criteria:
- Highly secure platform that’s not easily hacked
- Competitive commission rates that are not lower than 5%
- At least two payment methods—fiat and cryptocurrencies (the more, the better)
- Stellar brand reputation
- Robust support system
Final Thoughts
Digital currencies are exciting innovations powered by the blockchain. Along with Web3 marketing, they are indicators of a bright future for creators and influencers alike. It’s never too late to join the bandwagon. You can earn cryptocurrencies by becoming a crypto affiliate marketer today. Using the same affiliate marketing strategies for other traditional affiliate programs, you can build a thriving crypto affiliate business.
