Move-to-earn cryptocurrency apps are similar to play-to-earn cryptocurrency games in that you must fulfil tasks in order to earn a cryptocurrency reward. The purpose of move-to-earn apps is to incentivize physical activity and fitness. There are generally three different reward systems on these apps, namely cryptocurrency, points, or non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
Many move-to-earn apps are decentralized applications (dApps), utilizing blockchain technology to offer NFT and crypto rewards. Ostensibly, the purpose of such a system is to offer a ‘true’ incentive. The backing of blockchain technology protects against scams. This also grants the users the ability to sell the rewards elsewhere. So the NFTs and altcoins earned from participating in move-to-earn dApps can be used to reap rewards in more mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Ether (ETH) or Bitcoin (BTC). Users can even exchange rewards for fiat currencies by trading them on third-party platforms such as cryptocurrency exchanges or NFT marketplaces.
A Word of Caution
If you are looking to strike big with these apps, that is unlikely to happen. The rewards generated are small at best and would require a great deal of use to generate even a minor reward.
The purpose of using these move-to-earn apps should primarily be for the purpose of exercise. The thrill of earning a reward is only the cherry on top. But the rewards being so slight, the goal of getting fit in the long run is going to be a better motivator.
But if you like playing collection-based and quest-fulfillment games, then these move-to-earn games might serve as an incentive to exercise.
Additionally, while some move-to-earn dApps are free to pay, many minimally require a registration fee to join in the form of purchasing NFTs. This means that you would need to pay money in the hopes of earning money, with no guarantee that you will earn back the loss or make a real profit.
StepN
StepN is a pay-to-play move-to-earn app built on the Solana blockchain. It launched in December 2021 and rapidly gained popularity due to its attractive concept of motivating users to walk and run by rewarding them with tokens for achieving their goals. There are two main altcoins on the dApp: GSTs (the native cryptocurrency) and gems.
In order to participate on the dApp, you will need to create an account by registering your email address and inputting the verification code. You will then be able to access the marketplace.
You will also need to buy a StepN sneaker NFT earn rewards.
Here is how you can get started with StepN (Alternatively, you can read our StepN Beginner’s Guide):
- Buy Solana (SOL) – You will need a little to purchase sneakers or shoes.
- Buy a sneaker NFT – Sneakers are how you earn GSTs. The better the sneakers, the better the reward. This also means the more expensive the shoe, the better the reward. A shoe typically costs between 1.85 – 6 SOL (roughly $26-$84 USD), although the most expensive pairs cost about 10,000 SOL.
- Enable GPS tracking – This is necessary to track your movement and activity. It will also eat up a lot of battery, so make sure your phone is fully charged before you begin exercising.
- Set your sneakers – once you have a collection of sneakers, you can set the sneaker that is most suitable to your workout. The quicker the pace and the higher level your shoe and shoe stats, the greater your reward per hour of exercise.
- Activate the sneakers – As you exercise, you will earn 8.5 GST per 2 energy consumed. You can then use your GST to level up your shoe. The amount of GST needed will increase per level, as will the amount of time it takes for the shoe to level up.
- Breed your sneakers – Yes that does sound strange, but this is how new shoes are minted and can then be listed on the StepN marketplace. In order to breed a shoe, you will need two shoes that are at level 5 or higher. Breeding them will mix the attributes of the two shoes, and create a shoebox that contains the new shoe. You can either list the shoebox for sale or open it to see whether you want to keep the new shoe and list one of your old shoes instead.
Although the dApp is accessible on both the Google Play and Apple App Store, reviews indicate that the Apple version is inferior to the Android version.
Genopets
Genopets is a free move-to-earn game built on the Solana blockchain that rewards you for movement. Since it measures your movement with your smartphone’s pedometer, there is no need for GPS access, which makes it less battery drain than other M2E games. It can also be synchronized to a Fitbit or Strava.
Many users describe it as a mixture of an M2E, Tamagotchi and Pokémon Go, since moving helps you to upgrade your Genopet and to gain access to minigames. Additionally, you will also need to feed and take care of your Genopets. Over the course of the day, the dApp will record your movement and automatically convert it into ‘Energy.’ This energy must be banked by midnight, or it will be lost.
Energy can be traded for the native tokens, KI and GENE. These can be used to evolve your pet, buy items, buy habitats and other actions, and can also be traded on cryptocurrency exchange platforms.
One of the main minigames is a battler that allows users to pit their Genopets against each other in PvP battles with play-for-keeps stakes that award you rewards at the opponent’s expense. This is one of the primary reasons why it is important to level up and evolve your Genopets, as well as to keep them healthy. There are certain pay-to-progress faster features, but you do not need to invest anything to play.
This dApp is still in the closed beta phase, with access only open to early investors. The closed beta launched on January 22, 2022.
Walken
Walken is another free move-to-earn game that is built on the Solana blockchain. When you register, you will receive a free in-game character called a CAThlete. As you walk in real life, this creature will ‘walk’ with you in game, thereby allowing it to level up the more you move.
So, the more steps you take, the faster your character makes it to the next level and the more potential for you to earn WLKN tokens. WLKN can be sold for real money in a secondary marketplace. The CAThlete is only minted into an FT when it reaches level 5.
There are three in-game currencies, namely WLKN, Gems and MyBerries. WLKN tokens are won by competing in various minigames against other CAThletes. Gems are used to level up CAThletes and are non-transferable. Gems are earned at a rate of 1 gem per 1,000 steps and can be used to level up your CAThlete up to a maximum level of 10. The higher the level, the higher the competition league and the better the prizes for winning minigames.
As with Genopets, this game entails moving to earn rewards which can then be used to level up and upgrade your CAThlete for the purposes of competing against other player’s CAThletes.
Equipment can be purchased with WLKN tokens or won to upgrade your CAThelete’s stats. Once a CAThlete becomes an NFT it can be placed for sale on the dApp’s marketplace and also on secondary marketplaces.
If you buy a second CAThlete, you can breed them to create new NFTs with mixed attributes, but these new CAThletes will also need to be levelled up before they are minted. Each CAThlete can be bred 3-7 times, depending on its rarity and each breeding will cost an increasing number of WLKN.
The Walken app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play. However, it is still in open beta and is only compatible with newer devices.
Coin Hunt World
Coin Hunt World is a free geolocation move-to-earn treasure hunting app that directs you to go outside to real-world locations to discover white and blue keys, as well as fulfilling certain quests to earn rewards such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cubie NFTs and other in-game resources.
Cubies are the collectible avatars that you use to move around the digital version of your world. They can be ‘printed’ (minted) at in-game print shops with blueprints. These blueprints are bought from the in-game shop and provide recipes that require specific resources that are earned through quests and loot boxes. The rarer the Cubie, the longer it takes to print. There are limited edition blueprints that are released throughout the year as well.
The Coin Hunt World app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play, although it is still in beta on iOS.