Arch Network (ARCH) Airdrop Guide: How to Earn ARCH Tokens in 2026

By Robert Stukes On 23 Jan, 2026 Comments (14)

Bitcoin has always been about security and decentralization - but until now, it couldn’t do smart contracts. That’s changing. Arch Network is building a way to run DeFi apps directly on Bitcoin, without bridges, without trust, and without compromising Bitcoin’s core rules. And if you’ve been active on their testnet, you might be eligible for a major airdrop of ARCH tokens when it launches.

What Is Arch Network?

Arch Network isn’t another Ethereum sidechain or a wrapped Bitcoin solution. It’s a modular privacy layer built directly on Bitcoin’s base layer. Using FROST + ROAST multisig technology, it lets developers create decentralized apps - like DEXs, lending platforms, and DAOs - that interact with Bitcoin’s UTXO model without needing a bridge. That means your Bitcoin stays on Bitcoin. No third-party custody. No cross-chain risks.

The project launched in June 2025 and already has over 250,000 wallet connections. It’s not just hype - it’s technical innovation. Arch uses zero-knowledge proofs to keep transactions private and a decentralized verifier network to validate them. Unlike other Bitcoin Layer 2s, it doesn’t rely on a centralized bridge. That’s a big deal for security-conscious users.

The Archstronaut Program: How the Airdrop Works

Arch Network hasn’t officially confirmed an airdrop yet. But everything they’re doing points to one: the Archstronaut Program. This is a points-based system where you earn XP (experience points) by completing tasks. When ARCH tokens launch, your XP will convert into token rewards.

The program has four phases:

Phase I: Off-chain missions - Twitter/X posts, Discord participation, referral links.
Phase II: Testnet activities - Swaps, liquidity provision, transaction completion.
Phase III: Mainnet activities - Once live, you’ll earn more XP by staking, delegating, and using real ARCH.
Phase IV: Beyond mainnet - Community governance, DAO participation, and future incentives.

Your rank determines your reward multiplier. You start as a Cadet and can climb to Galactic Overlord. Higher ranks give you bigger multipliers - sometimes 2x, 3x, or more - on your XP earnings. That means two people doing the same tasks can end up with very different token amounts.

How to Join and Start Earning XP

You need a Bitcoin wallet. Specifically, a Unisat wallet. It’s the only wallet officially supported for Arch Network’s testnet and mainnet integration.

Here’s how to get started:

Go to the Arch Network dashboard and connect your Unisat wallet.
Head to the Uniset platform to access testnet features.
Claim USDC testnet tokens from the faucet.
Swap USDC for TBTC (Bitcoin testnet coins) on Uniset.
Start completing daily and weekly missions.

Daily missions include:

Swapping BTC for USDC (or vice versa) on testnet
Adding liquidity to BTC/USDC pairs
Completing at least 3 transactions per day

Weekly missions are more complex:

Join a liquidity pool with a minimum amount of TBTC
Participate in a community contest (e.g., best referral, most active trader)
Share your referral link - you get 500 XP plus 10% of each referral’s XP

Don’t skip the referral program. It’s one of the fastest ways to boost your XP. If you get 10 people to join and each does 100 XP worth of tasks, you get 500 + 1,000 XP = 1,500 XP extra - just from sharing a link.

Pixel art character climbing rank ladder from Cadet to Galactic Overlord with XP orbs.

Why This Airdrop Could Be Worth Your Time

Arch Network raised between $7 million and $25 million in private funding - sources conflict, but either way, it’s smaller than most Layer 2 projects. That means the token supply might be more concentrated, and your share could be bigger if you’re early.

Compare that to other Bitcoin DeFi projects like Lightning Network or Stacks. Many of them had massive airdrops - but they were built on top of Bitcoin, not natively within it. Arch is different. It’s bringing programmability to Bitcoin’s core, not layering on top. That’s why developers and investors are watching closely.

There’s no security audit yet - that’s a red flag for institutions. But for retail users who understand the risks, it’s an opportunity. The team is transparent about it. They’re building fast, and they know audits will come before mainnet.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

You don’t need to be a coder. But you do need to be consistent.

Here’s what works:

Check the dashboard daily - new missions appear every 24 hours.
Don’t wait for weekends - the most active users are the ones who do tasks every day.
Use the same wallet - switching wallets resets your XP. Stick with your Unisat wallet.
Join the Discord - announcements, mission hints, and bonus tasks often appear there first.

Most people who drop out do so because they think it’s a one-time thing. It’s not. It’s a daily habit. Treat it like a job that pays in future tokens.

Pixel art testnet dashboard with TBTC and USDC tokens swirling around mission icons.

Is Arch Network Safe?

It’s not risk-free. Testnet tokens have no value. You’re not losing money, but you are spending time. And if the project fails, you get nothing.

But here’s the upside: Bitcoin’s security is the bedrock. Arch doesn’t move your BTC. It doesn’t hold your keys. You’re not trusting a bridge. You’re not trusting a custodian. You’re trusting Bitcoin’s 15-year-old consensus - and that’s the strongest security model in crypto.

If Arch succeeds, it could unlock billions in Bitcoin liquidity for DeFi. If it fails, you’ve spent a few hours on a testnet. That’s a low-cost experiment.

What Comes After the Airdrop?

Once mainnet launches, ARCH tokens will be used for:

Staking to become a validator
Feeding the decentralized verifier network
Voting in the future DAO

The team has said the token will be inflationary at first, with rewards tapering off over time. That means early participants get the biggest share. If you’re ranked Galactic Overlord when mainnet drops, you could be among the top 1% of token holders.

Arch Network isn’t trying to replace Bitcoin. It’s trying to unlock it. And that’s why this matters.

Final Checklist: Are You Ready?

Before you quit, make sure you’ve done this:

Connected your Unisat wallet to the Arch dashboard
Claimed TBTC on Uniset
Completed at least 5 daily missions
Shared your referral link with 5+ people
Joined the Arch Discord and turned on notifications
Checked the dashboard every day for the last 7 days

If you’ve done all that, you’re ahead of 90% of participants. Keep going. The mainnet launch is coming. And when it does, you won’t want to be the one who missed it.

Is the Arch Network airdrop confirmed?

No official announcement has been made yet. But the Archstronaut Program - with its XP system, testnet missions, and rank tiers - is clearly designed to prepare users for a future token distribution. Industry observers and community analysts treat it as an airdrop in all but name. If you’re not participating now, you’re likely missing your best chance.

Do I need to buy Bitcoin to join the Arch airdrop?

No. You don’t need to spend real money. Arch Network’s testnet uses TBTC (Bitcoin testnet coins), which you can claim for free from the Uniset faucet. All you need is a Unisat wallet and time to complete daily tasks. No purchases required.

Can I use a Coinbase or MetaMask wallet?

No. Only Unisat wallets are supported for Arch Network’s testnet and mainnet. Unisat is the only wallet that integrates directly with Bitcoin’s UTXO model and allows Arch to interact with your Bitcoin address without bridges. Other wallets won’t work - even if they support Bitcoin.

How much ARCH could I earn?

No official numbers exist yet. But based on similar projects, early top-tier participants (Galactic Overlord rank) could receive anywhere from 500 to 5,000 ARCH tokens. Lower-tier users might get 50-200. Your total depends on your XP, rank, and referral activity. Consistency matters more than luck.

When will the ARCH token launch?

The team hasn’t given a date. But since the testnet launched in June 2025 and has already onboarded 250,000+ users, mainnet is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. Keep doing daily missions - the longer you stay active, the more you’ll earn.

Is Arch Network a scam?

There’s no evidence it’s a scam. The team is anonymous, which is common in crypto, but they’ve published technical documentation, open-source code, and active testnet activity. The lack of a security audit is a concern, but so is the lack of any exit scam behavior. Treat it like a high-risk, high-reward experiment - not a guaranteed payout.