Affiliate link

An affiliate link is the mechanism behind almost every crypto "invite and earn" or "refer a friend" scheme. Each participant is issued a personal URL or referral code embedded with a unique identifier, so that when someone else clicks it, signs up, and takes a qualifying action, the platform can trace that new user back to the person who shared the link.

Technically, the identifier is usually stored as a URL parameter, a tracking cookie, or a server-side click ID that stays linked to the visitor across the signup flow. This lets an exchange or platform match a later deposit, trade, or KYC verification back to the original click, even if days pass between the two events. Cookie-based tracking has become less reliable as browsers restrict third-party cookies, so many programs now rely more on server-side matching or simple referral codes entered manually at signup.

Crypto exchanges, wallet providers, and lending platforms run affiliate programs to acquire users cheaply while rewarding existing customers. Payout structures vary widely: a flat bonus per signup, a percentage of the referred user's trading fees for a limited period, or a lifetime revenue share tied to their ongoing activity. Rewards are typically paid in the platform's native token, a stablecoin, or fiat.

Affiliate links differ from an airdrop or a bounty program, which reward specific tasks rather than ongoing referral traffic. Before sharing one, users should check a program's terms, since platforms often restrict paid advertising or spam of referral links and can revoke rewards for abuse.