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Five practical ways to get Ethereum, backed by real examples
Ethereum remains one of the most widely used blockchain networks worldwide. What sets it apart is not only its currency — ETH — but the vast ecosystem built on top of its programmable architecture. According to public blockchain analytics, Ethereum continues to host the largest number of decentralised applications (“dApps”), smart contracts, and developer activity among existing blockchain networks. Reports like Electric Capital’s annual developer study consistently show Ethereum attracting one of the highest concentrations of active developers in the industry, with more than 5,000 monthly active developers recorded in multiple recent years.
Whether someone wants ETH to interact with a smart contract, collect an NFT, or experiment with decentralised tools, there are several valid ways to obtain it. Below are five documented methods — all used in real scenarios — that range from technical participation in the network to using services such as Bintense that provide direct access.
1) Provide computing resources to Ethereum through validator participation
Ethereum transitioned from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake in September 2022 with a network event widely known as “The Merge.” From that moment, new ETH issuance and network participation shifted from mining hardware to validators that run specialised consensus software and lock (“stake”) ETH to participate in block proposals and attestations.
Real-world example:
According to the Ethereum Foundation and various public explorers, the network currently has more than one million active validators collectively maintaining network consensus. Validators with sufficient technical setup have, in practice, earned ETH directly from protocol-level participation since the shift to proof-of-stake.
This method still requires:
• dedicated hardware or a cloud setup,
• uptime management,
• knowledge of Ethereum client software,
• correct key management,
• and ongoing operational attention.
Practical note: validator participation involves technical responsibilities, monitoring, and maintenance of consensus clients. It is a well-documented but demanding process; for those who do not wish to operate validator tools, other methods below may be more accessible. If you do not possess the necessary equipment you can proceed to Bintense to buy Ethereum with credit or debit card or wire transfer.
2) Receive Ethereum from Layer-2 migrations, retroactive distributions, or protocol incentives
Ethereum’s ecosystem has produced several notable examples of user-eligible distributions triggered by participation in a product or protocol. While not guaranteed or predictable, some of the most discussed events in Ethereum’s history included:
• Uniswap (UNI) 2020 distribution: users who interacted with the Uniswap protocol before a specific snapshot were offered 400 UNI tokens. Many recipients later exchanged a portion of these assets for ETH on various services.
• ENS (Ethereum Name Service) 2021 distribution: users who registered .eth names before the snapshot date were offered ENS governance tokens. Historical analyses show that a portion of recipients used those tokens to acquire ETH.
• Layer-2 network distributions: Optimism and Arbitrum both issued retroactive distributions to early participants and users. Community reports document cases where users converted a part of these allocations to ETH to use within L2 environments.
Practical note: eligibility for such events depends entirely on snapshot rules defined by the projects and cannot be assumed. Claiming rights often requires interacting with smart contracts, signing messages, or bridging assets — all steps that require technical understanding. If this seems too complicated or you need Ethereum faster, then opt for exchanges as Bintense.
3) Interact with Ethereum-based educational platforms and developer programs
Several Ethereum-focused educational initiatives and developer onboarding programs distribute small amounts of ETH to help users test, learn, or build within the ecosystem. These are not giveaways in the promotional sense; instead, they are practical tools to introduce new builders to contract deployment and transaction flows.
Documented examples include:
• Ethereum Foundation-supported workshops where participants receive nominal ETH on testnets or mainnet to deploy their first contract.
• Gitcoin on-chain learning modules, historically known to grant small quantities of ETH to developers completing technical tasks or onboarding missions.
• Hackathon project grants, where contributors may receive ETH as part of a team budget for testing or deployment.
Practical note: these programs require active participation — writing code, completing modules, or contributing to projects — and the amounts distributed are generally small, intended for experimentation and not for accumulation. If you do not have time or resources for participation, Bintense is your choice.
4) Earn ETH inside blockchain-based services, applications, or digital ecosystems
A number of decentralised applications and blockchain-native platforms provide ETH-denominated rewards for completing tasks within their ecosystems. These are not games of chance; they are structured digital environments where users contribute work, time, or digital value.
Examples include:
• Decentralised content platforms: Some dApp ecosystems route ETH-denominated micro-payments to users who create or curate content. The amounts vary by platform rules.
• On-chain micro-task ecosystems: Certain smart-contract-based services route ETH for completing verifiable on-chain tasks or participating in protocol-defined workflows.
• Digital labour markets: Platforms such as Braintrust and similar Web3-native work networks have historically routed payments in cryptocurrency to contributors, including ETH, whenever a client or protocol chooses it as the settlement asset.
Practical note: these environments typically require a compatible wallet, on-chain interaction, and understanding of how fees work on Ethereum or on the corresponding Layer-2. Completing tasks or participating in on-chain workflows often takes time and learning.
5) Buy Ethereum through a service that offers direct access — for example, Bintense
A direct and widely adopted way to obtain Ethereum is to use an online service that enables ETH purchases through familiar payment options. Bintense is one of such exchanges. After passing verification, the user places an order for Ethereum and selects either debit/credit card or bank transfer as the payment method during the order flow. The user provides the destination wallet address, and once payment is processed, the ETH is delivered directly to that address.
Bintense focuses on enabling access to digital assets without requiring technical participation in blockchain processes. Since ETH is the foundational currency of the Ethereum ecosystem, many newcomers choose this route when they want a single, structured process based on standard payment rails.
Practical note: if you’re unsure about exchange rates, processing times, or which documents are required for your transaction, check the FAQ section on the Bintense website. It gives clear, quick answers to the most common questions so you can complete your exchange smoothly.
Final thoughts
Ethereum’s ecosystem is broader and more varied than most digital networks, so the ways to acquire ETH reflect the network’s diversity. Validator participation requires operational commitment and technical literacy. Retroactive distributions and protocol incentives depend entirely on project-specific rules. Developer programs and on-chain task platforms reward time and contribution. And for people who want a defined, payment-based path, services like Bintense provide a direct route to obtaining ETH without interacting with protocol mechanics.
These five routes illustrate how different the paths to Ethereum can be depending on your goals, tools, and level of technical involvement.
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Bintense is owned and operated by UAB "Green Cliff Inc.," company code 306116484, company VAT LT100015441310, which provides virtual currency services. Its registered and operating address is Naugarduko g. 3-401, Vilnius, Lithuania. Trust metrics here.