Did you know that referral programs record about 22% new user sign-ups in the crypto space, and over 35% new users cite influencer marketing as an entry point into crypto projects. These numbers indicate that cryptocurrency is no longer just a niche but a mainstream platform for affiliate marketing.
With exchanges, wallets, DeFi protocols, and gaming platforms competing for attracting user attention, affiliate and referral programs have become a cost-effective and authentic way to grow. Now, instead of spending excessively on expensive ad budgets, crypto projects are turning to affiliates to enlist them as partners in user acquisition.
How Do Crypto Affiliate Programs Work?
Crypto affiliate programs are partnerships where marketers promote platforms such as wallets, exchanges, DeFi protocols, or trading tools and earn rewards through a referral link or code when users sign up or trade.
Most programs follow one of the three payout structures:
- Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): Affiliates earn fixed rewards when their referral completes a specific action, such as registering an account, making a deposit, or completing their first trade. CPA rewards are more attractive to marketers looking for quick payouts.
- Revenue Share: Affiliates receive a percentage of the fees generated by their referrals. This provides long-term, recurring income as long as referred users remain active. Exchanges share 20% to 50% of trading fees with affiliates.
- Hybrid Models: Some platforms combine CPA and revenue share models, offering upfront payments for new signups and ongoing commissions from trading fees. This method balances immediate rewards with long-term earnings.
As far as the payment method is concerned, affiliates pay in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or stablecoins (USDT). Some programs with global or regulated presence offer fiat payouts (USD, EUR, GBP). Earnings are credited directly into the affiliate’s account dashboard, from where they can be withdrawn into a wallet or bank account when the minimum payout threshold is met.
Top 14 Crypto Affiliate Programs in 2025
Crypto Affiliate Programs play a crucial role in the growth of exchanges, wallets, DeFi platforms, and trading tools. Marketers and influencers now have access to some of the highest-paying affiliate opportunities in the digital space.
Below are the 15 best crypto affiliate programs, ranked by commission type and payout options.
| Affiliate Program | Commission Type | Payout Options |
| Binance | Revenue Share / tiered | Crypto (BTC, BNB) and fiat |
| Bybit | Revenue Share / hybrid | Crypto |
| Coinbase | CPA / referral bonus | Fiat / crypto |
| OKX | Revenue Share | Crypto / USDT |
| Bitget | Revenue Share / Hybrid | Crypto / USDT |
| Kraken | CPA / referral | Crypto / Fiat |
| Huobi | Revenue Share | Crypto / Fiat |
| KuCoin | Revenue Share | Crypto |
| eToro | CPA / Fix Reward | Fiat |
| Crypto.com | Hybrid / Revenue Share | Crypto / fiat |
| Paxful | Revenue Share | Crypto |
| PrimeXBT | Revenue Share / tiered | Crypto |
| Coinrule | CPA / fixed referral | Crypto / fiat |
| MEXC | Revenue Share | Crypto |
1. Binance
Overview: Binance is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, and its affiliate program is regarded as highly competitive in the industry, offering high commissions and tiered incentives.
Reasons to Join: It offers strong brand trust among the audience, a broad user base, multiple commission tiers, bonus incentives, and global reach.
Commission: Usually between 40% to 50% of trading fees for high volume or qualified affiliates.
Futures: around 30% commission, but for a limited period.
Payouts: Crypto or Fiat, depending on region and setting.
Cookie Duration: 90 days
2. Bybit
Overview: Bybit is a fast-growing derivatives and crypto trading platform, and its affiliate program is structured to reward high-volume referrals and long-term collaborations.
Reasons to Join: It offers lifetime commissions on referred trades, real-time commission calculation, dedicated affiliate managers, and marketing tools to help optimize conversions. Moreover, it also offers a sub-affiliate structure to help affiliates earn a percentage from referrals that your direct referrals bring in.
Commission: Between 30% and 50% of trading fees, depending on performance, volume threshold, etc.
Payout: Crypto payout depending on region and partner settings.
Cookie Duration: Not specified.
3. Coinbase
Overview: Coinbase is a leading cryptocurrency exchange recognized for its user-friendly onboarding process for beginners. Content creators, finance influencers, and crypto education sites use its affiliate program.
Reasons to Join: It offers strong brand trust among new audiences, straightforward structure and integration, efficient tracking, analytics, and reporting.
Commission: 50% of trading fees generated by referred users for the first 3 months.
Payout: Crypto or fiat, depending on region and setting.
Cookie Duration: 30 days
4. OKX
Overview: OKX is a major spot exchange that was formerly known as OKEx. Its affiliate program is built to incentivize long-term referral collaborations.
Reasons to Join: It offers lifetime commission, hourly or frequent payout cycles, and a detailed affiliate dashboard with real-time data and marketing tools.
Commission: Up to 50% on trading fees, depending on affiliate level.
Payout: Crypto
Cookie Duration: Lifetime
5. Bitget
Overview: Bitget exchange focuses on derivatives, copy trading, and a diverse range of trading products. Its affiliate program offers a mix of rebate structures and commission.
Reasons to Join: It offers an on-chain affiliate mechanism or hybrid incentives bridging the different exchange structures. It gives both commission and rebates to affiliates depending on volume and the type of trading referrals they engage in.
Commission: Up to 40% commission with added rebates.
Payout: Crypto or other tokens.
Cookie Duration: Not specified
6. Kraken
Overview: The Kraken crypto exchange is recognized for its robust security and adherence to regulatory compliance standards. Its affiliate program appeals to an audience focused on stability and reputation.
Reasons to Join: It offers brand trust to generate conversions and support and tracking tools to optimize campaigns.
Commission: Around 20% of trading fees for referrals.
Payout: Crypto or fiat, depending on region and program settings.
Cookie Duration: Not specified
7. Huobi
Overview: Huobi is a global crypto exchange, and its affiliate program is tiered and flexible.
Reasons to Join: It offers a tiered commission structure, multiple trading programs based on your promotional range, and marketing assets and support for global affiliates.
Commission: Tiered commission ranging between 20% to 50% depending on performance and product.
Payout: Crypto and sometimes fiat.
Cookie Duration: Not specified
8. KuCoin
Overview: KuCoin’s exchange is known for listing many altcoins with strong community engagement. Its affiliate program is stronger than others, offering a solid opportunity to earn commission while promoting a trusted platform.
Reasons to Join: It offers flexible commission negotiation and frequent promotional and partnership events. It also has high potential for niche or altcoin audiences.
Commission: Up to 60% of trading fees.
Payout: Crypto and fiat in some regions.
Cookie Duration: Not specified
9. eToro
Overview: eToro is a hybrid platform known for its audience from both traditional finance and cryptocurrency sectors.
Reasons to Join: It offers fixed payouts and CPA, as well as a strong brand presence in the stock and crypto spaces.
Commission: Fixed payouts / CPAs
Payout: Fiat and crypto in many markets
Cookie Duration: 30 days
10. Crypto.com
Overview: Crypto.com is a multi-product platform that offers an affiliate program rewarding both trading and product adoption.
Reasons to Join: It offers multiple incentive types to strengthen promotional options. Considering its global presence and known reputation, it helps in conversions.
Commission: Up to 0.5% of referred users’ trading volume.
Payout: Crypto or fiat in some regions.
Cookie Duration: 180 days
11. Paxful
Overview: Paxful is a known peer-to-peer crypto marketplace, and its affiliate program rewards referrals who trade on the platform.
Reasons to Join: It offers a unique niche in peer-to-peer trading markets and is a good fit for those interested in peer-to-peer trading or global remittance.
Commission: Varied percentage of fees paid by trader.
Payout: Crypto
Cookie Duration: Not specified
12. PrimeXBT
Overview: PrimeXBT offers a cryptocurrency and CFD trading platform with a single-tier affiliate program. Its affiliates promote the use of banners and social media.
Reasons to Join: It offers a high-value trading niche and is a good fit for those with an experienced audience in leveraged trading or derivatives.
Commission: A revenue share on trading fees, with the exact percentage depending on the affiliate level and region.
Payout: Crypto or fiat in some regions
Cookie Duration: Not specified
13. Coinrule
Overview: Coinrule is a trading automation and rule-based platform. Its affiliate program is subscription-based, featuring a robust dashboard that lets users track referrals, manage campaigns, and monitor performance in real time.
Reasons to Join: It offers recurring revenue from subscription renewals. It is ideal for users who trade but prefer passive or automated strategies.
Commission: Between 25% to 30% recurring commission on subscription plans.
Payout: Crypto and fiat in some regions
Cookie Duration: Not specified
14. MEXC
Overview: MEXC is a global crypto exchange focusing on altcoins and token listings. Its affiliate program is based on trading volume referrals.
Reasons to Join: It offers potentially high commissions and is suitable for audiences interested in altcoins and new token projects.
Commission: A revenue share on trading fees, with the exact percentage varying by affiliate level and promotion.
Payout: Crypto
Cookie Duration: Not specified
What to Look for in a Crypto Affiliate Program
It’s essential to recognize that crypto affiliate programs are not all equal. The best crypto affiliate program will combine a strong reputation, high commissions, reliable payouts, and marketing support, enabling affiliates to build a sustainable income while delivering real value to their audience.
If you’re looking for an affiliate program, use the given factors to evaluate the right one:
- Commission Structure and Rates: If you have a large, less engaged audience, consider a CPA; for long-term, active users, a revenue share is the perfect structure. Higher commission rates don’t guarantee better returns; consider how engaged your referrals are likely to be.
- Payout Methods and Frequency: Many programs pay in cryptocurrency, while regulated ones support fiat currencies. Check the payout frequency and minimum withdrawal threshold to ensure cash flow.
- Cookie Duration: This is the time elapsed since a referral was credited to your account after clicking the link. A long cookie window increases the chance of earning commission from leads who take longer to sign up.
- Affiliate Tools and Support: Effective programs offer dedicated dashboards, tracking tools, banners, and personalized account managers to enhance conversion rates.
- Reputation of the Platform: Partnering with a trusted, compliant, and well-known exchange ensures the safety of your payments and your audience.
How to Maximize Earnings From Crypto Affiliate Programs
Maximizing affiliate earnings in crypto spaces requires building trust and positioning yourself as a credible resource. To achieve this, start by aligning the right programs with your audience, as this ensures higher conversion rates. For example, if your followers are day traders, Binance or Bybit is ideal for high revenue, while if they’re beginners, Coinbase is better for building their trust.
The next thing is that focusing on content-driven strategies, such as tutorials, detailed guides, platform comparisons, and trading walkthroughs, helps more with conversion than generic posts. Moreover, adding bonuses such as free eBooks, exclusive guides, or private community access for individuals who sign up through your link further enhances conversion rates.
Lastly, use analytics dashboards to track which links, platforms, or content formats generate the best results. Affiliates who consistently test ad creatives, tweak their content strategies, and diversify traffic sources tend to earn more. Remember, the key is to combine trust, high-quality content, and data-driven decision-making to convert more effectively.
How Affiliate Marketing Fuels Growth for Crypto Projects
Affiliate marketing is a cost-effective, performance-driven strategy for crypto and Web3 businesses to deliver measurable results without incurring heavy upfront investments in advertising, deposits, or trading activities. Given the competitive crypto space, where ad restrictions and compliance challenges limit traditional marketing channels, this model is highly beneficial due to its low risk and high ROI.
Partnering with affiliates, either influencers, publishers, or community leaders, crypto platforms gain access to highly targeted audiences while building credibility. As a result of their endorsement, potential users are likely to trust the platform, register, and engage in trading activities.
Leading exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, as well as platforms like Paxful and Crypto.com, work on this model and have successfully scaled user acquisition globally. Replicating these successful models in terms of commission, transparent payouts, and strong affiliate support, new crypto and Web3 projects can fuel sustainable growth.
Summing Things Up
Crypto affiliate programs pave the road to sustained growth for businesses and creators. When affiliates engage in this mode, it opens the door to consistent revenue streams through CPA, revenue share, or hybrid models, with payouts in either crypto or fiat. When crypto businesses adopt this cost-effective and performance-driven model, it drives success. When marketers promote platforms they trust, both sides win as users gain access to reliable services, affiliates earn long-term rewards, and brands scale sustainably.
The leading affiliate partners have demonstrated proven methods for building a global presence while maintaining efficiency. The key is to focus on building trust, authority, and a compelling narrative, and this is where you can use a trusted partner like Techtonic Marketing to build sustainable authority campaigns. Remember that affiliate marketing doesn’t just drive conversion but creates a lasting impact for businesses and steady growth for affiliates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a website to join a crypto affiliate program?
No, websites do help, but many affiliates succeed using YouTube, Telegram, newsletters, podcasts, or other social platforms.
What is the average commission rate in crypto affiliate marketing?
There is no single average commission rate in crypto affiliate marketing. Most programs offer a revenue share ranging from 20% to 50% or fixed CPA rates from $50 to $250.
How can I determine if a cryptocurrency affiliate program is legitimate or a scam?
Research the company behind it. Is it a well-known or registered exchange? Check its reviews on sites like Trustpilot. Read the affiliate terms thoroughly; legitimate programs have clear, transparent rules. Avoid programs that promise guaranteed, unrealistically high returns with no risk.
What’s the best traffic source for crypto affiliate success: SEO, Twitter, or paid ads?
It depends on your audience. SEO drives long-term results, Twitter (X) works well for community engagement, and paid ads provide fast traffic but need compliance checks.
