How to Get Free NFTs (8 Best Ways)

How to Get Free NFTs (8 Best Ways)

Following a stellar year in 2022, NFTs are expected to outperform once more in 2023. Several people will be hoping to profit from the NFT market this year. Meanwhile, some people are still skeptical about entering the NFT space due to its high cost, which is mostly a myth.

Indeed, there are numerous NFT projects, like the Bored Ape Yacht Club or the CryptoPunks, that often price out the average consumer. However, some less popular NFTs are available at considerably lower costs – or even for free

From participating in airdrops and free NFT giveaways to playing on-chain video games, there are various ways through which you can earn NFTs at no cost. 

In this piece, we’ll discuss different ways of getting a free NFT, giving a run-down of each method.

8 Best Ways to Get Free NFTs

1. POAPs

The full meaning of the acronym POAP is Proof of Attendance Protocol. POAPs are unique NFT “badges” that prove your presence at an event – either virtual or physical. 

Each POAP is unique and distinct to the individual and is usually distributed for free to individuals who are present at designated events. 

Similar to some NFTs, POAPs are minted with the ERC-721 standard – but on the Ethereum sidechain Gnosis (Formerly xDai). Unlike the Ethereum Mainnet – on which these badges were initially created, Gnosis offered a faster and cheaper alternative for issuers to mint their POAPs, hence its use. That said, POAPs can be transferred from Gnosis to Ethereum if you wish to do so. 

EthGlobal, Dappcon, and the Ethereum Community Conference are examples of gatherings where POAPs have been shared for free.

2. Airdrops

Participating in NFT airdrops is one of the easier ways to earn free NFTs.

An NFT airdrop is when a project decides to send an allocated amount of NFTs to its community for free by sending the token directly to your wallet. 

This is typically carried out to promote the project, drive up the community’s population, and as an incentive for early adopters.

Airdrops are usually sent to individuals who have had prior involvement with the project, like owning specific tokens or taking part in a social media campaign. For example, holders of at least one Bored Ape NFT were given an exclusive release of Yuga Lab’s Mutant Ape Yacht Club.

Although NFT airdrops are often a little difficult to come by, they can be very profitable, as the free NFTs may be worth a few thousand dollars or more. 

Airdropping is a process that enables rapid adoption and increases the visibility of a project since several individuals are usually eager to receive the free NFTs. 

In essence, the concept of free NFT drops does not only benefit the individuals who get it but also the NFT project.

3. Giveaways

Another way to lay hands on some free NFTs is through NFT giveaways. 

When an NFT project is launched, the creative team will often set up a giveaway on various social media platforms, such as Twitter, Reddit, Telegram, and Discord, to promote the NFT. Typically, people are told to reply with their Ethereum wallets, and the project will compile a list and draw out the winners.

At times, a random Google search might even reveal various platforms where NFT giveaways are ongoing. But it’s best to stay active on social media to get onto it quickly.

Furthermore, you can keep an eye out for new NFTs being minted on the blockchain. You can also look out for whitelist spots, which provide you priority access to an NFT project – for free or at a discount – before it is available to the general public.

In any case, the next time you see an NFT giveaway tweet or opportunity that interests you, try your luck, and you may walk away with some free NFTs.

Be aware that some of these giveaways are fake. So, you might want to exercise some caution and avoid clicking on any suspicious links.

4. P2E NFT Games

P2E NFT games, formally known as Play-to-Earn games, are another way to cop some free NFTs. 

NFT-based games are created to enhance the utility of a project as well as create an additional incentive for holders whilst also being fun. 

P2E games typically incorporate NFTs into their play, allowing you to win free NFTs by hitting a specific number of points, conquering other players in gaming battles, or merely completing a task. 

Some of the common ways to get NFTs from Play-to-Earn games include alpha or beta test participation rewards, free starter NFTs, and active participation bonuses. 

Sorare, Axie Infinity, and The Sandbox are examples of the best P2E games on the market today.

Although the non-fungible tokens you earn in P2E games are free, most of these video games require some form of upfront cost – usually to buy the NFTs that will represent your game character. 

Indeed, the upfront cost of most P2E games is often on the high side. However, the upside of earning some free NFTs during play makes it worthwhile.

5. Free NFT Mints

In a bid to increase awareness and generate interest, some NFT projects offer limited free mints. 

Ordinarily, giving free mints to people does not cost the creative team anything, as winners of the mints still have to cover the gas fees required to create the NFT on any blockchain. In any case, the NFT project will grow in popularity and value – and mostly everyone wins in the end.

Gas fees typically vary from one blockchain to another, meaning that some blockchains charge higher fees than others. On Ethereum, fees may be on the pricier side due to heavy network traffic. However, the challenge lies in being able to determine a free NFT mint with potential. 

Free-to-mint NFTs have become increasingly popular these days – and it’s easy to see why. After all, they help most users save a lot on costs. 

Some notable free-to-mint NFTs include Goblintown and God Hates NFTees. 

6. Mint Your Own (via Polygon Blockchain)

Earning free mints from other NFT projects is not as smooth sailing as it seems on the surface. After all, there is still the little issue of gas fees that may become overwhelmingly costly, depending on the blockchain. Fortunately, you can create your own NFT collection at absolutely no cost on a blockchain like Polygon. 

This is perhaps the most reliable and convenient means to get a free NFT. Polygon’s layer-2 solution enables you to mint, buy, or transfer NFT ownership on the Polygon network for free. 

After creating your free NFTs on Polygon, you still have the option to sell your digital assets in ETH on an NFT marketplace like OpenSea

While this may not actually make you any profit, it’s still a great way to get started with NFTs and can be quite a fun process to partake in. 

7. Events/Challenges

NFT events and challenges are marketing tools that NFT projects employ to create and promote awareness for their collectibles. Fortunately, these events also represent a great opportunity for you to land yourself some free NFTs

You can look out for some opportunities to participate on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Discord, and Telegram. 

Referral challenges are also becoming quite the rage in the NFT space. Some projects now reward individuals who encourage new users to join their various platforms. These rewards often come in the shape of different crypto and, of course, NFTs.

8. Breeding

NFT breeding involves the use of two NFTs to create new ones. This is possible and pretty popular on various top P2E video games like Axie Infinity and Crypto Kitties.

Axie Infinity, for example, is a P2E game where players breed, combat, and collect cute NFT characters called Axies. These creatures are of three different breeds, including Land, Sea, and Sky, with each breed of Axies having its own distinct traits and abilities.

To create new Axies, you will need to find two compatible Axies. This will lead to the generation of an egg that contains the DNA of both parents. This egg then hatches within a five-day period to deliver the new Axie, which bears similar traits as both parents.

The new breed of characters, which come as NFTs, can be used in the game and across various platforms. You can make money from your new breeds by selling them on NFT marketplaces or by loaning them to other players at a fixed cost. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a free NFT?

NFT airdrops, giveaways, free mints, breeding, and P2E games are some of the best ways to score a free NFT.

Why are some NFTs free?

Some artists and projects give away free NFTs as a means to create awareness and drive up hype. It’s also a great way of catching people’s attention and gaining a quick, active following, therefore, increasing their project’s visibility.

Are free NFTs valuable?

Yes, free NFTs, like other NFTs, have value. That said, it does not matter whether you pay for it or receive it for free; the value of NFTs is highly unpredictable. An NFTs value is determined by a variety of factors, including the project’s success, marketing effort, and rarity – to name a few. 

Do free NFTs come with any hidden costs?

It all depends on the means through which the NFTs were obtained. For example, NFT airdrops and giveaways usually cost nothing, as the NFTs are sent directly to your crypto wallet. Meanwhile, free NFT mints often require gas fees, ranging between a few cents to hundreds of dollars.

Disclaimer
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Author

Opeyemi Sule
Opeyemi Sule
Opeyemi is an expert content writer with an in-depth knowledge of the crypto space. He specializes in NFTs, Wallets, DEXs, and blockchain tech. When he's not at his keyboard, Opeyemi is neck-deep in his multi-genre music playlist.