How does Sweatcoin turn your steps into real money?

robot
Abstract generation in progress

Have you ever thought that the 10,000 steps you take every day might actually be a waste of value? Sweatcoin became popular based on this idea—a app that turns exercise into income, with over 1.2 million users already playing.

Core Mechanism: Earn Money with Your Feet

The logic of Sweatcoin is very simple: you walk → the app records → you get tokens → you can spend money.

Specifically:

  • 1000 steps = 0.95 Sweatcoins (initial rate, will decrease)
  • The app tracks via GPS and phone sensors to ensure that you are actually outdoors.
  • You can earn up to 5 SWEAT tokens per day (more can be unlocked through staking)

As of May 2024, global users have collectively generated over 5 billion SWEAT tokens. What does this number indicate? It indicates that this model is indeed operational and that user retention is quite good.

The Economic Design of the SWEAT Token

There is a detail worth noting - the token generation rate is continuously declining:

Time Mining Rate
September 2022 (Launch) 1000 steps = 1 SWEAT
1 year later 1000 steps = 0.33 SWEAT
5 years later 1000 steps = 0.02 SWEAT

This is a typical inflation control design – it becomes increasingly difficult to mine, theoretically maintaining the scarcity of the tokens. But the problem arises: if mining becomes more difficult, do new users still have the motivation? This is an old problem faced by all Move-to-Earn projects.

What can you do? Wallet, trading, charity

The Sweatcoin ecosystem is no longer just about “walking for money”:

1. Sweat Wallet

  • Store SWEAT tokens
  • Staking for additional rewards
  • Participate in NFT-related activities (planned)

2. Places to Spend Money

  • Official Store: Sports Equipment, Electronics, Gift Cards
  • DeFi trading: Exchanges like Binance can trade SWEAT
  • Brand partnerships: Over 600 brands including Audible, Apple, Headspace, TIDAL, etc. accept SWEAT as payment.
  • Charitable Donations: Save the Children, Cancer Research UK, etc.

This ecological connection is quite deep. The official has already cooperated with the UK NHS (National Health Service), which means that the government level is beginning to recognize this kind of health incentive model.

vs STEPN: Which is more appealing?

Sweatcoin and STEPN are both engaging in Move-to-Earn, but their approaches are different:

Advantages of Sweatcoin

  • ✅ Completely free, no purchase threshold for NFT shoes
  • ✅ Low threshold, beginner-friendly
  • ✅ Over 2 million daily active users, ecosystem is active

Advantages of STEPN

  • ✅ Dual-token design (GST+GMT), more complex gameplay
  • ✅ The return rate may be higher (if operated properly)
  • ✅ More decentralized

Disadvantage

  • ❌ STEPN requires purchasing NFT shoes, with an initial investment starting from 300 to 1000 USD.
  • ❌ The token output speed of Sweatcoin decreases rapidly, and long-term holding may lead to depreciation.

In simple terms: Sweatcoin is “free trial and error,” while STEPN is “paid expert mode.”

Insights for Investors

Why does SWEAT have room for appreciation?

  • A large user base (over 1.2 million global users)
  • Decreasing output speed means a reduction in stock.
  • The ecosystem is expanding (NFTs, more types of sports, DAO governance)
  • Collaboration with major brands increases token usage scenarios

Why be cautious?

  • The supply has reached over 5 billion coins, the base is too large.
  • Like all game tokens, if players lose the motivation to earn money, the tokens will face selling pressure.
  • The profit model is still not clear enough (how to monetize the application? How to maintain long-term operations?)
  • Regulatory risks (Countries' attitudes towards Move-to-Earn are still in the exploratory stage)

Quick Start Guide

  1. Download → Search “Sweatcoin” on Google Play/App Store
  2. Register → Choose from email/Google/phone number
  3. Authorization → Grant permissions for GPS and health data
  4. Connect Devices → Automatically sync with Apple Watch, Fitbit, etc.
  5. Start Walking → Automatically calculate every 1000 steps
  6. Maximize Returns
    • Use Daily Boost: Choose a 20-minute time slot to earn double.
    • Participate in the daily challenge
    • Invite friends to earn referral rewards
    • Keep using (requires continuous step accumulation)

About Privacy and Security

Sweatcoin official claims:

  • ✅ We do not sell user data to advertisers
  • ✅ Location data is used only for step verification and then deleted.
  • ✅ Use two-factor verification algorithm to prevent cheating
  • ✅ Supports 2FA two-factor authentication

But to be honest, any application involving GPS location tracking carries privacy risks. If you mind being tracked, this app may not be suitable for you.

Summary: Is this buying groceries or gambling?

The essence of Sweatcoin is a recreational mini-program, not an investment product. If you:

  • Already have a habit of walking/running → Earn some rewards for free
  • Want to experience the concept of Move-to-Earn → Free trial
  • Expecting to earn a million a year with it → Wake up, this is a fantasy.

The value of a token essentially depends on whether the ecosystem can maintain its attractiveness. Once users feel they can no longer make money, the token will crash. This is similar to the decline of STEPN before - there are many projects that have dropped 99% from their peak.

The most honest advice: Use it as fitness motivation while learning about crypto concepts. Don't treat it as your main source of income.

SWEAT-1,06%
View Original
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
  • Reward
  • Comment
  • Repost
  • Share
Comment
0/400
No comments
  • Pin

Trade Crypto Anywhere Anytime
qrCode
Scan to download Gate App
Community
  • 简体中文
  • English
  • Tiếng Việt
  • 繁體中文
  • Español
  • Русский
  • Français (Afrique)
  • Português (Portugal)
  • Bahasa Indonesia
  • 日本語
  • بالعربية
  • Українська
  • Português (Brasil)