Here's something you don't see every day: a crypto promotion that doesn't make you jump through hoops. A quiet offer currently running gives some people in the U.S. a surprisingly straightforward path to $10 worth of Bitcoin or Ethereum. No referral links to spam your friends with, no requirement to keep trading, and no commitment to stick around.

For eligible first-time users, it's basically a brief window where opening and verifying a new investment account gets you free crypto that can be turned into cash almost immediately. If your entire plan is to pocket the $10 and walk away, that's completely fair game.

How the Free Crypto Offer Actually Works

The promotion runs through eToro, a regulated trading platform operating in the United States. The setup is pretty simple: select first-time users who complete identity verification and make an initial deposit may receive $10 in free cryptocurrency.

When the offer shows up, the bonus gets credited as Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), or Ethereum (ETH), depending on what's displayed during signup. Here's the important bit: this isn't store credit, reward points, or some locked bonus that sits there taunting you. The $10 arrives as an actual crypto position at market price, behaving exactly like any other holding in your account.

No Ongoing Trading Required

Most crypto bonuses come loaded with conditions—trade a certain number of times, stay active for a specific period, or keep your funds locked until you've satisfied some byzantine requirement. This one doesn't work that way.

Once the $10 crypto position appears in your account, you can close it whenever you feel like it. When you do, the value converts directly into U.S. dollars and lands in your available cash balance.

The help documentation doesn't spell out any requirement to keep trading, maintain account activity, or stick around beyond receiving the bonus. For people whose sole objective is grabbing free crypto, this can be a one-time thing.

Who Qualifies (and Who Doesn't)

This promotion isn't universal. It only applies to first-time U.S. eToro investment account holders. If you've previously opened an eToro investment account, you're out of luck.

Geography matters too. Crypto trading isn't supported everywhere, which means residents of New York, Nevada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands aren't eligible for the offer.

Eligibility gets determined during registration. If the $10 bonus doesn't appear as an on-screen prompt while you're signing up, the account doesn't qualify. There's no way to add it after the fact.

What the Bonus Looks Like Once It Lands

When the bonus hits your account, it shows up directly in your portfolio as a crypto position. In your account history, it gets labeled as a "Promotion," and on official statements it appears as an "Airdrop." From there, you can manage it like any normal crypto trade—adjust settings, let it sit, or close it immediately.

Once closed, the USD value transfers straight into your available balance.

One limitation worth knowing: because the bonus is only $10, it falls below the platform's minimum threshold for transferring crypto to an external wallet. That means it stays inside the account until you convert it to cash.

The Fine Print That Actually Matters

A few caveats deserve attention. The promotion isn't guaranteed for every new account—it's only valid if the offer appears during signup.

Standard crypto trading costs apply, including eToro's 1% crypto fee and any spread when the position is opened and closed.

And as with any crypto transaction, any gains may be taxable depending on your personal tax situation.