Best Move to Earn Crypto: Complete Guide to Making Money by Walking and Moving

The best move to earn crypto apps right now are Sweatcoin, Step App, and Aglet for casual users, and STEPN for serious movers. You can genuinely earn $20-100 per month by walking normally, but success depends on the app you choose, your location, and how much you move daily. Most apps require minimal investment or none at all.

Let me explain which one actually works best for you and why.

What Is Move to Earn Crypto?

Move to earn crypto is simple. You download an app. You walk, run, or do other physical activities. The app tracks your movement using your phone’s sensors. You earn cryptocurrency or tokens as a reward.

That’s it.

The concept combines fitness tracking with blockchain rewards. Apps like Fitbit or Apple Health track your steps already. Move to earn apps do the same thing, but they pay you in crypto instead of just collecting data.

The idea gained huge momentum in 2021 and 2022. People loved the concept of being paid to do something healthy anyway.

However, the market has changed. Many apps died. Some became genuinely useful. Others remained gimmicks. This guide focuses on what actually works in 2025 and 2026.

How Do Move to Earn Apps Actually Work?

Understanding the mechanics helps you choose the right app.

Step 1: Download and Register

You install the app and create an account. Most require a phone number or email. Some ask for identity verification to prevent fraud.

Step 2: Start Moving

You carry your phone with you. The app’s accelerometer and GPS track your movement. Walking, running, and sometimes cycling count.

Step 3: Earn Tokens

As you hit step goals, you earn tokens. These are usually proprietary cryptocurrency tokens created by the app developers.

Step 4: Convert to Real Money

You sell your tokens on cryptocurrency exchanges. You transfer money to your bank account.

This sounds straightforward. In reality, the conversion rate fluctuates wildly.

The Real Problem With Move to Earn Apps

Before recommending the best options, you need to know the truth.

Token Value Drops Fast

Many move to earn tokens launched at high prices. Then they crashed 90% or more.

Example: STEPN’s GMT token dropped from $5 to under $0.30. People who accumulated tokens early made real money. Those who joined later barely broke even.

This matters because your earning potential depends entirely on token value.

Apps Can Shut Down

Several move to earn apps have already closed. Walken was one. Dustland Rider stopped operations. Users lost their earnings.

There’s no guarantee any app will exist in two years.

Energy Consumption and Wear

Running a blockchain requires energy. Some apps use proof of work systems that demand enormous electricity. Newer apps use proof of stake, which is much lighter.

Your phone also wears faster from constant GPS use.

Market Saturation

Early users made genuine money. Now that millions use these apps, the rewards pool shrinks. You earn less token per step because more people share the same rewards.

Network Effects Matter

Some apps only pay well if you have friends using them too. Solo users earn almost nothing.

Now that you understand the real situation, let’s look at which apps actually perform.

Best Move to Earn Crypto Apps in 2025 and 2026

1. Sweatcoin (Best for Casual Users)

Sweatcoin is the safest bet for most people.

Why it works:

The app uses a simple model. You walk outdoors. You earn Sweatcoins. The company has real business revenue from partnerships with fitness brands and retailers. This isn’t pure blockchain gambling.

How much you earn:

You get 1 Sweatcoin for about 1,000 steps outdoors. Indoors don’t count, which prevents gaming the system. A typical person walking 8,000 steps daily earns about 8 Sweatcoins.

Sweatcoin has a built-in marketplace. You can buy discounts and products directly with Sweatcoins. You can also convert to real cryptocurrency if you want.

Investment needed:

Zero to start. However, the app occasionally offers premium features ($2.99 per month) that boost earning rates by 20 percent.

Realistic earnings:

$5-20 per month for casual walkers. $40-80 per month if you’re active and use the premium features.

Risk level:

Low. The company has real revenue, actual products, and millions of users. It’s not going to zero overnight.

2. Step App (Best for Serious Runners)

Step App separates itself through fitness quality.

Why it works:

The app requires an actual NFT shoe to earn. These shoes cost between $50-200 to start. In return, your earning potential is much higher than Sweatcoin. The app focuses on real runners, not casual steppers.

How much you earn:

$1-10 per day depending on your shoe quality, how far you run, and current token price. Serious runners report $200-500 monthly earnings.

Investment needed:

$50-200 upfront for your first NFT shoe. This is money you might lose if the app fails.

Realistic earnings:

$100-300 per month for active runners who invested in decent shoes. Casual users earn $10-30 monthly.

Risk level:

Medium. Your initial investment can disappear. However, NFT shoes maintain some resale value if the app fails.

3. STEPN (The Original and Still Strong)

STEPN started the entire move to earn trend.

Why it works:

The app pioneered the concept. Many competitors copied its model. STEPN retains quality infrastructure and a large community.

How much you earn:

$2-15 per day depending on shoe level and type. Higher tier shoes earn more.

Investment needed:

$500-5,000 for a decent starter shoe. This is significant money. Only invest if you’re serious about long-term participation.

Realistic earnings:

$200-400 monthly if you run daily and maintain your shoes. Some people earn $1,000 monthly with expensive shoes, but they started when token prices were 10x higher.

Risk level:

High for beginners. Your initial shoe investment can lose 50% value quickly if the token crashes. However, established players with multiple shoes maintain steady earnings.

4. Aglet (Gamified Approach)

Aglet adds gaming elements to step earning.

Why it works:

Walking earns Aglets (in-game currency). You complete challenges and missions for bonus earnings. The gamification keeps people engaged longer than simple step counting.

How much you earn:

$0-5 per month realistically. Aglet is more about entertainment than serious earning. The app is still figuring out its monetization model.

Investment needed:

Zero. Fully free to play.

Realistic earnings:

$2-10 monthly if you’re active. Most users earn under $1 monthly.

Risk level:

Very low because you invest nothing. However, your earnings are minimal.

Move to Earn Earnings

App	Monthly Earning	Startup Cost	Time Investment	Risk Level	Best For
Sweatcoin	$5-80	$0	30 min daily	Very Low	Casual walkers
Step App	$100-300	$50-200	1+ hour daily	Medium	Active runners
STEPN	$200-400	$500-5000	1-2 hours daily	High	Serious investors
Aglet	$2-10	$0	20 min daily	Very Low	Casual gamers

Step-by-Step Guide: Getting Started With Move to Earn Apps

Choose Your App

Use this decision framework:

If you walk casually and want zero risk, use Sweatcoin.

If you run daily and can invest $50-200, use Step App.

If you’re willing to risk $500+ and want maximum potential earnings, try STEPN.

If you want entertainment with minimal earning, choose Aglet.

Set Up Your Account

Download the app from your phone’s app store. Create an account with email or phone number. Verify your identity if required. Enable location permissions (the app needs GPS).

Complete Initial Setup

Configure your profile. Set your fitness goals. In STEPN or Step App, purchase your starter NFT shoe from the in-app marketplace.

Start Moving

Walk or run with your phone in your pocket or hand. Keep the app open in the background. Track your steps for the first week to understand your baseline.

Collect Your Earnings

Most apps pay weekly or monthly. Your earnings accumulate in an in-app wallet. You can convert to cryptocurrency on exchanges like Binance or Coinbase.

Convert to Real Money

Go to the app’s exchange section. Sell your tokens for USDT (a stablecoin) or another cryptocurrency. Transfer to a major exchange. Sell for your local currency. Withdraw to your bank account.

The entire process takes 3-7 days depending on exchange processing times.

Hidden Costs and Real Expenses

Move to earn sounds free until you count everything.

Phone Battery Drain

Constant GPS and step tracking drain batteries 30-50% faster. Replace your battery or buy a power bank ($20-50 annually).

Data Usage

GPS requires cellular data. If you have limited data, this could add $10-20 to your phone bill.

Device Wear

GPS usage heats your phone. Accelerometers wear faster. Your phone lifespan drops by 1-2 years.

Transaction Fees

Converting tokens to cryptocurrency costs money. Exchanges typically charge 1-2% per transaction. Bank transfers cost $1-5.

Initial Investment

Step App and STEPN require upfront shoe purchases. Sweatcoin requires nothing. Aglet requires nothing.

Shoe Repair and Maintenance

In STEPN and Step App, your NFT shoes degrade with use. You spend in-game currency maintaining them. This costs $10-50 monthly for serious users.

Making the Most of Your Move to Earn Strategy

Track Your Real Earnings

Calculate total earnings minus expenses. Many people think they’re making $100 monthly when actual profit is $15 after battery replacement, data, and fees.

Diversify Across Multiple Apps

Don’t rely on one app. Run Sweatcoin and Aglet simultaneously since both are free. They don’t compete; they’re complementary.

Time Your Conversions

Token prices fluctuate. Don’t convert to fiat money immediately. Hold tokens for 1-2 weeks and look for price increases. Sell 50% of your earnings immediately for safety, hold 50% for upside.

Join Active Communities

Discord and Reddit communities for each app share strategies. Active members earn 30-50% more because they understand token mechanics and upcoming features.

Use Referral Programs

Most apps offer referral bonuses. Sharing your code with friends multiplies your earnings 20-30%. This is passive income once you’re established.

Stay Consistent

Sporadic walkers earn nothing. Daily movement is essential. People who move every single day for three months earn 5x more than those who walk sporadically.

Upgrade Strategically

For STEPN and Step App, better shoes earn proportionally more. However, don’t upgrade until your current earnings cover 100% of the cost. Otherwise, you’re speculating, not earning.

The Realistic Income Expectations

Be honest with yourself.

Most casual users earn $10-30 monthly. These people walk normally, don’t invest money, and check the app occasionally.

Active users earn $50-150 monthly. They walk 1+ hour daily, may invest $50-200, and actively manage their portfolio.

Professional players earn $300-1000+ monthly. They invested $1,000+, maintain multiple accounts, walk 2+ hours daily, and time their conversions perfectly.

That $300-1000 monthly assumes you’re earning primarily in crypto. Real fiat conversion nets 20-30% less after fees, taxes, and timing losses.

Tax Implications You Cannot Ignore

This is critical. Most people don’t consider taxes.

Crypto earnings are taxable income. If you earn $100 in tokens, that’s reportable income in most countries.

When you convert tokens to fiat currency, the difference between your cost basis and sale price is a capital gain or loss. This is also taxable.

Some countries tax this heavily. Others are lenient. Check your local tax laws.

A basic rule: set aside 20-30% of your earnings for taxes automatically. Put it in a separate account. Don’t spend it.

Comparing Move to Earn to Other Income Strategies

Move to earn isn’t the fastest way to earn money. Let’s be honest.

A part-time job pays $10-20 hourly. That’s $1,000+ monthly for 10 hours of work.

Move to earn pays $0.50-2 hourly at best. You earn while doing something you’d do anyway, which changes the math. But it’s not a replacement for real work.

Move to earn works best as supplementary income. You’re already walking. You’re already moving. Getting $50-100 monthly from that activity is a bonus, not a career.

What Happens When Token Prices Crash?

History shows this will happen.

Move to earn tokens are speculative. They spike on hype. They crash when hype dies.

When token prices crash 70-80%, what do you do?

Option 1: Hold and hope they recover. This sometimes works. STEPN recovered partially after crashes.

Option 2: Exit immediately and take your losses. This prevents further losses but locks in losses.

Option 3: Keep earning and accumulate discounted tokens. When prices recover, you benefit.

Most people panic sell during crashes and regret it later. The best strategy is dollar-cost averaging. Convert small amounts consistently rather than waiting for price spikes.

Future of Move to Earn Crypto

The sector is maturing.

The hype cycle peaked in 2021. Now we’re in the “trough of disillusionment” where only quality projects survive.

Expect:

More integration with real fitness ecosystems. Apps will partner with gyms, running clubs, and wearables.

Better tokenomics. Apps will stabilize token values through better supply management.

Stricter regulations. Governments will likely regulate move to earn apps within 2-3 years.

Consolidation. Dozens of apps will shut down. A few will dominate.

Mainstream adoption. Eventually, major fitness apps will add crypto earning features.

Move to earn won’t make you rich. But it will likely remain a small supplementary income stream for years.

Common Mistakes People Make

Chasing Yesterday’s Gains

You can’t repeat STEPN’s 2021 returns. Early users made life-changing money. That window closed. Don’t invest $5,000 expecting to become a millionaire.

Not Reading the Fine Print

Apps change terms constantly. You thought you’d earn 100 tokens daily. The company reduced it to 30. Read updates weekly.

Ignoring Security

Don’t share your seed phrase or private keys. Move to earn apps can be hacked. Keep your wallet safe.

Investing More Than You Can Lose

Only invest money you’re comfortable losing entirely. Treat it like a hobby, not an investment.

Forgetting About Taxes

Report your earnings. Don’t skip taxes. The consequences are worse than the earnings.

Expecting Passive Income

You must walk daily. You must stay active. This isn’t truly passive. You’re trading time for money, just like a job.

The Bottom Line

Move to earn crypto can generate $50-200 monthly if you choose the right app and stay consistent.

For most people: Use Sweatcoin. It’s safe, requires no investment, and delivers real earnings with minimal risk.

For runners investing money: Use Step App. Better earning potential than Sweatcoin with manageable risk.

For serious players: Use STEPN. Highest earning potential but requires capital and carries real risk.

The time to get started is now. Token prices are stable. User bases are established. Apps are past the hype phase and into actual functionality.

But be realistic. This is supplementary income, not a career. You’re getting paid slightly more than nothing for doing something you’d do anyway. That’s valuable, but it’s not life-changing.

Conclusion

Move to earn crypto is legitimate but modest. The best move to earn crypto apps right now are Sweatcoin for safety, Step App for active runners, and STEPN for serious players.

Your actual earnings depend on the app, your location, how much you move, and token prices. Expect $50-150 monthly realistically.

The barrier to entry is low. Start with Sweatcoin since it requires zero investment. Try it for one month. See if the app fits your lifestyle. Then decide whether to invest in more serious options like Step App.

Track your expenses carefully. Remember that battery drain, data usage, and fees reduce your real earnings. Calculate net profit, not gross tokens earned.

Stay consistent, remain patient with token price fluctuations, and don’t invest more than you can afford to lose. Move to earn crypto isn’t magic, but it’s a genuine way to monetize your daily activity.

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FAQs About Move to Earn Crypto

How Much Can I Actually Earn Monthly With Move to Earn Apps?

Realistic earnings range from $10-200 monthly depending on the app and effort. Sweatcoin users earn $5-80 monthly. STEPN users with quality shoes earn $200-400 monthly. Your actual earnings depend on token prices, which fluctuate constantly. Budget for taxes and fees to reduce your net profit by 20-30%.

Is Move to Earn Crypto Legal?

Yes, it’s legal in most countries. You’re trading your activity data for cryptocurrency. However, you must report earnings as taxable income. Some countries may eventually regulate move to earn apps more strictly, but no major bans exist today.

Will My Phone Get Damaged From Using Move to Earn Apps?

Possibly. Constant GPS usage and step tracking drain batteries 30-50% faster and generate more heat. Your phone’s lifespan may decrease by 1-2 years. This is an actual cost that reduces your real earnings.

What Happens If the App Shuts Down?

You lose your earnings. Several move to earn apps have already closed. Your tokens may become worthless if the company folds. This is why Sweatcoin is safest (real business revenue) and why STEPN carries more risk (blockchain-dependent).

Can I Use Multiple Move to Earn Apps Simultaneously?

Yes. Sweatcoin and Aglet don’t compete and work together. You can run both simultaneously. However, don’t run multiple apps that require NFT shoes (like STEPN and Step App together) unless you’re serious about maximizing earnings, since shoe maintenance costs compound.