Thursday, Accomack reported three additional COVID-19 test positives, and Northampton reported four.
Free shots are available at Walgreens, CVS and Walmart pharmacies when open. Appointments can be made at Eastern Shore Rural Health and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital. Shot clinics are conducted with no appointment needed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 am until 3 p.m at the Health Department offices in Accomac and Nassawadox.
The Eastern Shore Health District will also come to community gatherings including churches and administer the vaccine upon request.
Individuals with questions about the COVID vaccine are urged to contact your doctor for his or her recommendation in your case.
In Accomack County 16,109 individuals have received one dose with 14,781 fully vaccinated with a total of 26,562 doses administered. In Northampton County 7,474 have received one dose with 6,971 reported being fully vaccinated with a total number of doses of 13,801.
Earlier this week, the Center for Disease Control reversed their policy again on wearing masks, recommending that masks should be worn indoors in public places even if you are vaccinated. Federal and State agencies are now requiring masks to be worn when in their buildings.
With the 2021 NBA draft in the books, it's time to shift the focus to the free-agency frenzy, where a host of storylines are set to dominate the next few weeks.
And which upcoming offseason decision could most impact the road to the 2022 NBA title?
Our NBA insiders are answering the biggest questions and making their boldest predictions heading into the free-agency season, which officially begins Monday at 6 p.m. ET.
1. Which team could make the most dramatic turn -- for better or worse -- this offseason?
Tim Bontemps: The most open secret in the NBA this offseason is that the New Orleans Pelicans are desperate to improve and convince Zion Williamson he should want to be with the franchise long term ahead of offering him a full max contract extension next summer. Armed with a ton of draft picks and, after the center-swapping trade with Memphis earlier this week, lots of cap space, the Pelicans should be busy over the next 10 days.
Nick Friedell: The Golden State Warriors. It might not be a major move, but they could package their future assets, including 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman, to go all-in on this season for Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the returning Klay Thompson, who hasn't played since the 2019 Finals after suffering an ACL tear in his left knee.
Andrew Lopez: The Washington Wizards took a swing at trying to commit to building a future around Bradley Beal by opening up potential cap space in 2022-23 with the Westbrook trade. But what if that doesn't work? The rumor mill surrounding Beal will continue to churn, and if this new move goes south, drama could follow.
Tim MacMahon: Portland is in the most precarious situation due to star Damian Lillard's dissatisfaction. Should the Trail Blazers take a big swing to try to convince Lillard that they really can contend? See how things played out with James Harden in Houston after the Westbrook trade for a warning of how wrong that route might be. If Portland begrudgingly puts Lillard on the trade block, it's time for a teardown.
Kevin Pelton: I think the Dallas Mavericks are poised to leap into the West's upper echelon if they can upgrade using $20-plus million in potential cap space. Free-agent guard Kyle Lowry would offer an ideal short-term boost to a team that could use a second playmaker to help keep Luka Doncic fresh for the end of games.
2. Fact or fiction: The deal the Lakers made is better than the one they didn't.
Bontemps: Fiction. Some might not understand how Hield could be considered a better get than Westbrook, but I'm here to tell you that he would have been. The Lakers were a team with a severe lack of 3-point shooting the past two seasons. Hield, one of the NBA's best 3-point shooters, would've been perfect as a catch-and-shoot player alongside LeBron James. Instead, the Lakers trade for Westbrook, who needs the ball in his hands and is one of the NBA's worst jump-shooters. It's hard to think of a worse fit next to James from a stylist standpoint among star players than Westbrook. This feels like a classic case of chasing the big name over putting together the best team. Had that been the priority, getting Hield would've been the far better move.
MacMahon: Fiction. Adding a former MVP is far splashier, but Hield would have been a better fit. He's one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, which would have immediately addressed the Lakers' biggest need. Westbrook is one of the league's worst volume 3-point shooters, which is why teams dare him to shoot, sagging way off him when he doesn't have the ball in his hands. Westbrook is still capable of wreaking havoc and racking up triple-doubles, but he has to be the primary ball handler to be himself. How does that make sense as James' teammate?
Pelton: Fiction. I didn't love the idea of giving up a first-round pick for Hield, but the fit with the Lakers made a lot of sense given his age and their need for outside shooting. Hield also stood more chance of retaining or even adding trade value with his salary descending over the course of his contract. That's not the case with Westbrook.
Lopez: Fiction: I really liked the potential Hield deal because of the shooting it was going to provide for the Lakers. Westbrook is a career 30.3% shooter from 3-point range (second-worst all-time for players with at least 2,000 such attempts). Also, the Lakers will have over $120 million tied up in just three players -- Westbrook, James and Anthony Davis. The Hield deal would have given them slightly more room to play with under the cap.
Friedell: Fact. I absolutely believe that Westbrook will make it work in Los Angeles. Playing at home always means a little more for everybody, especially stars. Westbrook will go out of his way to get good looks for LeBron & Co.
3. Fact or fiction: Ben Simmons will be a 76er on opening night.
Pelton: More fact than fiction. I'm confident Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has read "Moneyball," in which Billy Beane lays out his five rules of trading. Rule No. 2: "The day you say, 'I have to do something,' you're in trouble. Because you are going to make a bad deal." So I don't think Morey will deal Simmons just for the sake of dealing him. He'll hold out for maximum value, which might not be available this summer.
Bontemps: Fact, but not for a lack of trying. I'm just not sure, as of now, where the offer will come from that will cause Morey to move on from Simmons this summer. If we've learned anything about Morey over his more than a decade in the NBA, it's that he isn't afraid of dealing with awkward situations and is about maximizing value. So don't expect him to trade Simmons for less than he thinks he's worth. Right now, it's hard to see anyone making a big push to pay a premium for Simmons after the way he performed in the playoffs.
Lopez: Fiction: For a while I thought this could end up being a Harden-type situation, in which Simmons would play the first few weeks in Philadelphia, but it just doesn't seem like the Simmons-Philadelphia marriage can make it any longer. Morey will continue to search for the best possible trade package, and someone will bite -- albeit maybe closer to the start of the season than during the free-agency period.
MacMahon: Fiction. Both sides see the need for a fresh start, so it isn't in anybody's best interest for the divorce proceedings to drag out into the regular season. At some point, Morey will have to come down off of his request for a "Harden-esque" return -- which is obviously asking too much considering the Sixers eagerly offered Simmons as part of a package for Harden before his value dipped due to his poor playoff performance.
Friedell: Fiction. It feels like Simmons sealed his fate in Philly after making that pass under the basket. It would be tough to bring him back knowing how low his confidence is right now. He needs a change of scenery.
4. Which free-agency/trade decision will have the biggest impact on the 2022 NBA title race?
Lopez: Remember when I said the potential Hield deal was the better deal than the Westbrook one? Well, the Westbrook one still will have major implications on the title race. Even if Westbrook's shooting doesn't help the Lakers, his playmaking will. In three of the past four seasons, Westbrook has led the NBA in points per game assisted on, with the only season he didn't lead the league being the one year he spent with Harden in Houston. Westbrook will help lighten the load on James' playmaking duties. While some shooting would have helped more, a motivated Westbrook will help cement the Lakers as the favorite in the Western Conference.
Bontemps: I'm tempted to say the Westbrook trade, because it seems inevitable that it will cost the Lakers in their chances of getting another title, but I'll say whatever happens with both Lillard and Beal. If either changes teams over the next few months, that would be the kind of move that could completely shake up the league like the Jrue Holiday and Harden deals did last season. And, if not, the fate of both will be looming over the league right up until the 2022 trade deadline.
Pelton:Chris Paul's decision on his player option. We're operating under the assumption Paul will be back with the Phoenix Suns, but if that changes, he could not only create a new contender elsewhere but also take Phoenix out of the mix to get back to the NBA Finals.
Friedell: Where does Lillard land? If he's really ready to leave Portland at some point this year, that will have a big impact on the league. I've always thought the Knicks would be a terrific landing place for Lillard, and he could form an interesting pairing with head coach Tom Thibodeau.
MacMahon: It could be Lowry, if he opts to go to the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks or Philadelphia 76ers. Any of those three teams could be serious contenders if they add Lowry's playmaking, shooting, defense and leadership. But it's likely the New Orleans Pelicans will make Lowry the largest offer. Will he prioritize maximizing his last big contract or putting himself in position to compete for another ring?
5. Your one bold prediction for free agency and trade season is ...
Bontemps: A former starting point guard for the Lakers -- Lonzo Ball -- will get more guaranteed money than the Lakers' starting point guard in 2020-21 -- Dennis Schroder -- in free agency.
Pelton: We'll look back on the contract Ball signs as a restricted free agent as the best value of any signed for more than $10 million per season. Although Ball isn't exactly a point guard, the track record of players of his ilk outplaying their second contracts is strong, and Ball is young enough to continue improving well into a new deal.
Friedell: The Knicks will find a way to get the star they need to pair with 2021 Most Improved Player Julius Randle.
Lopez: Contracts considered untradeable don't seem that untradeable anymore. The albatross contract that Russell Westbrook signed has been moved in each of the past three offseasons. So if we're going bold, let's say maybe Houston can find someone to take on John Wall's contract, or Oklahoma City is able to move Kemba Walker elsewhere as well.
MacMahon: Thunder GM Sam Presti will figure out a way -- even after swinging a draft-night deal to add to Oklahoma City's stockpile -- to add yet another future first-round pick this offseason.
Truvada, one of the medications authorized for PrEP, recently went generic. PrEP is now required to be covered by insurance providers. Jeff Chiu/AP
Jeff Chiu/AP
The federal government is making it much easier for Americans to get their hands on a potentially life saving treatment, if you have health insurance.
It's called PrEP, a once-daily pill that is 99% effective at preventing HIV infections.
PrEP has been around for nearly a decade, and health officials have long advocated for high risk people to take it, but usage has been limited due to the costs. Truvada, one of the medications authorized for PrEP, recently went generic, but used to cost upwards of $1,800 a month. The doctor's visits and lab tests can cost hundreds more.
"You have to go to the doctor basically four times a year, at least per CDC guidelines, and get a checkup to make sure that you don't have HIV and that everything else kind of looks OK," James Krellenstein of the advocacy group PrEP4All told NPR's Steve Inskeep. "A lot of health insurance wouldn't cover it. People would be stuck [paying for] laboratory bills and clinic visits."
Recent federal guidance says health insurance companies must cover all of the costs for the treatment, including the medication, doctor's visits, and lab tests.
Krellenstein says for those who have health insurance, this removes a major barrier to getting on PrEP. But for those without insurance, issues remain.
"We don't have universal health insurance in the United States," Krellenstein said. "So the real challenge today, the next challenge in prep access, is going to figure out what policies the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services can put into place to ensure that those people can also access PrEP as easily as people with insurance."
The CDC tells NPR it is working on "multiple fronts" to ensure access to PrEP — including "focused funding to help deliver" the treatment to those who need it the most.
Last offseason, it looked like we had seen a shift in how NHL general managers were approaching free agency. Teams were frugal, conservative and showed an unwillingness to commit big dollar amounts to longer term contracts. We found out Wednesday that last year was an anomaly as GMs through all that out the window.
During the first 12 hours of the free agent market being open, we saw a return to the craziness of the past as 163 contract were signed for a little more than $785m. Now that the dust has mostly settled, teams like the Colorado Avalanche are going to pick away at the few remaining available players in the hopes of finding discounts.
The Avalanche made a big move trading for Darcy Kuemper but are yet to add anyone from the free agent market beyond signing depth defenseman Roland McKeown to a two-way contract. They are likely still looking for a middle-6 winger to fill the hole created by the loss of Joonas Donskoi and Brandon Saad, as well it’s safe to assume another top-6 defender is in Joe Sakic’s plans as the team has traded away both Ryan Graves and Conor Timmins in the last week.
While most of the impact players are already off the market, there are still a few floating around and as more teams get close to the cap, the remaining free agents might need to start lowering their asking price and creating value for teams.
After finding their starting goalie for only $3.5m, the Avalanche still have nearly $9m in cap space to work with as they go bargain hunting.
Here is a look at a few players still on the market that could be a target for Sakic and the Avalanche:
Tomas Tatar (W)
Tatar is by far the best forward still available on the open market. He is a high-end possession driver and playmaker who would fit in very well on Colorado’s second line. His production took a step back this past season but even having a down year, he was still on pace for 50 points over an 82 game season while leading the Canadiens in shot assists.
Over the past three seasons, Tatar has been one of the best two-way playmakers in the NHL. He can play both sides of the ice and could drive a second in a way that would help both Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky see a lot more scoring chances at 5v5.
At 30-years old, Tatar still has some gas left int he tank and is reported to be looking for a contract for up to four years in the $4m range. That’s a price any contending team should be happy to pay.
Marcus Johansson (F)
Another strong playmaker for the middle-6 Johansson wouldn’t necessarily be a splashy signing but he might be the perfect replacement for Donskoi. A speedy forward that can play all three forward positions, Johansson is a guy who forechecks hard and while not overly rough, he doesn’t shy away from board battles. He’s not someone who will put up huge offensive numbers but he makes his linemates better and plays a defensively responsible game. He can both kill penalties and serve as a setup man on a second powerplay unit.
He’s got an excellent hockey sense and by all accounts is a great teammate. Johansson the kind of low maintenance player that coaches love because of their versatility and ability to adapt to any role.
Casey Cizikas (C)
Though word is he’s waiting on a new deal with the Islanders, the longer the wait, the more likely it is that the 30-year old center moves on. He is one of the better defensive centers in the league and would fit in very well as the 3C in Colorado allowing Tyson Jost to fill the hole on the wing.
He is looking for a little bit of term on a contract but he would likely be able to be brought in on a deal cheaper than the one Joonas Donskoi took with him to Seattle. He wouldn’t solve the secondary scoring issue in Colorado but he would proved them with a very strong penalty killer and shut down pivot.
Ryan Murray (LHD)
Of all the defenders left on the market, Ryan Murray might be the best option to fill the the third pairing role previously occupied by Ryan Graves. Murray has fought through injury issues in his career but is still only 27-years old and brings a style of game that could mesh really well with the Avalanche.
He is a solid puck mover who skates well and is underrated in the defensive end. He benefits from great instincts and would be a very solid depth addition who could play up in the lineup in case of injury.
Nick Ritchie (LW)
After not receiving a qualifying offer from the Boston Bruins, Ritchie became an unrestricted free agent that a number of teams are likely looking at. He’s only 25 and is coming off a season where he scored 15 goals in 56 games. He is a very solid middle-6 guy who has improved his game at both ends of the ice each of the last three seasons.
Ritchie is a big body that can play in front of the net on the powerplay and would make the second line a little harder to play against. He won’t drive play but has at times played a lot of minutes with David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron so he would also be a decent option as the third guy on a Nathan MacKinnon-led line during those games where coach Bednar wants to spread out the big-3.
Mark Jankowski (C/LW)
He’s probably not an option for the second line but Jankowski is a big body who can play down the middle as a solid 3C and penalty killer. Though he doesn’t bring a ton of offense, Jankowski is a guy who does a very good job of suppressing scoring chances against despite being deployed in a very tough defense-first role. Offense dies when he is on the ice for both teams - in much the same way we saw from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare over the last few seasons.
Bobby Ryan (RW)
After a rough few years, Bobby Ryan is back and seems to be having a bit of a renaissance as an elder statesman in the NHL. He had a decent season on a terrible Detroit team before getting hurt, now he’s out on the market looking to help a contender get over the hump. On a one year deal for a little more than the league minimum, Ryan could be a decent depth option for the Avalanche on the wing.
Brandon Saad (W)
There’s still the possibility that the Avalanche would being back Brandon Saad. Wednesday evening, Joe Sakic mentioned that the team had moved on from Saad but during the same press conference he said they wouldn’t be making a big splash for a goalie - an hour later he made a huge trade for Darcy Kuemper.
Saad knows the system and despite a slow start with the team last season, he began to see some very solid chemistry with Kadri by the end of the year. He’s an automatic 20 goals for the middle-6 and if the initial asking price goes down, Saad coming back to Denver would be a great fit.
**UPDATE** Brandon Saad has signed with the St. Louis Blues for 5 years with an AAV of $4.5m
The Chicago Blackhawks had to say goodbye to a handful of players when they started free agency on Wednesday. More so than in years past, I think the moves the team made shocked fans around the fanbase as some of these moves came out of nowhere.
The team added players like Jake McCabe,Jujhar Khaira, and Tyler Johnson. These guys are going to be making an impact on the roster one way or another next season, and it is going to be fun to watch.
In order to make additions to the roster, the Blackhawks had to say goodbye to some players.
Here are the four main players the Blackhawks said goodbye to on Wednesday:
Nikita Zadorov – traded to Calgary
Vinnie Hinostroza – signs contract with Buffalo
Pius Suter – signs contract with Detroit
David Kampf – signs contract with Toronto
Now, the amazing thing about letting go of Zadorov is that the team traded him before free agency began as Zadorov was given a qualifying offer. Chicago got a third-round draft pick as a return for Zadorov. Turning a player they were going to let walk in free agency into a third-round pick is not a bad move by Bowman.
Zadorov has not signed with the Flames yet, we will have to wait and see what his contract could potentially look like when all is said and done. Next up is Hinostroza. Hinostroza signed a one-year contract with the Sabres at a price of 1.05 million.
More from Blackhawk Up
Hinostroza was a fan favorite the instant he touched the ice after getting traded to Chicago. While he is a great NHL player, the team just did not have a spot for him on their roster. It wasn’t that the team couldn’t do the money on this extension, it was just that they couldn’t afford to give a spot to Hinostroza with some of the other names in the organization.
Pius Suter was expected to not come back after the team did not qualify him in the past few days. He is someone that I think was just asking for too much money and Chicago did not want to make a commitment to him.
Suter got 3.25 million for the next two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Obviously, with the different moves, the team did make they could not afford to give Suter 3.25 million, and they also were out of center positions for Suter to drawl in the lineup.
It will be interesting to see how Suter does in Detroit. He was someone that the Hawks would have wanted to see for another season before making a commitment long-term to him, as his play was not always consistent last season. Now the last player Chicago saw walk away was a little shocking.
The Blackhawks also said goodbye to David Kampf. Kampf has been with the Blackhawks his entire career and was a similar player to Marcus Kruger in the sense that he was the perfect fourth-line center.
He has played in 235 NHL games all with the Blackhawks and most importantly he was the team’s top centermen faceoff speaking when Jonathan Toews missed the past season. Kampf ended up signing a two-year deal worth 1.5 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs, not a bad signing for the Leafs.
I think Chicago’s decision to let Kampf walk boiled down to them having so many depth forwards that are capable of playing in the NHL now. They chose Gaudette as their center and now it will be interesting to see how the lineup shakes out in October.
Yesterday was a big opening day of free agency, both for the entire NHL and more specifically for the New Jersey Devils. While murmurs of a signing started off the day, the team would announce Jonathan Bernier as their first signing of the free agency period. The big news would finally be confirmed roughly six hours after words first started to spread: the Devils had landed The Big Fish of 2021’s free agency class in Dougie Hamilton. John published an in-depth piece that covered in great detail what his signing means for the team moving forward.
The organization set out to better itself from the 2021 season, and there was certainly a lot of progress made. The team has it’s goaltender to be a 1B behind Mackenzie Blackwood, and if either goalie goes down to injury this season, we can maintain confidence in the other to hold down the fort. The defense has taken a major step up from what it was last season thanks to the addition of Hamilton on top of recently acquired Ryan Graves as well as the departure of seldom used under Lindy Ruff defender Will Butcher. Heck, the team even made a couple of depth signings to improve Utica. The Devils spent well on day one in hopes of returning to prominence.
At the same time, the Devils weren’t the only team spending and signing. According to CapFriendly, New Jersey signed a mere four of the 161 contracts that were finalized yesterday. A lot of the more well known and promising names that were available wound up being scooped up on the first day. The Devils still have some holes left to fill, particularly up front; so what’s left that could interest them.
Well, not to be the bearer of bad news, but if I had to answer the question used for the article’s title, it would be a hesitant, somewhat unsure yes. I do think that there are some options available that the team could pick up to continue to strengthen the farm team and ensure their young players in the AHL are well-insulated to aid/push them in their development. Beyond those signings those there isn’t much left that seems both desirable and to be an upgrade over the young talent that the Devils already possess. There are, however a few guys left that I would be interested in, but only at the right contract length.
Looking at CapFriendly again, and their list of unrestricted free agents remaining, there’s a short list of guys that I think would add something to the Devils’ roster: David Krejci, Tomas Tatar, Brandon Saad and our old friend Travis Zajac. I think each one of these options brings a different element to the team, and would be an upgrade over at least some of the players that are penciled in right now.
Krejci still appears to have the ability to serve up the puck to teammates and could provide a veteran presence on a still pretty young Devils team. Concerns here would have to be his point total being a product of the team he played for, as well as desired contract length/price for the role (3C) he would fill. If the Devils just want to fill that gap and they believe no one in the system is ready for it, bringing Zajac back might be the play. While he doesn’t put up points like Krejci, Zajac is a better defender, and arguably more suited for a Bottom 6 center role. While both could fill in higher in the lineup if there’s injuries, Travis would not have to adjust as much to playing under Ruff. If the Devils decide they need help down the middle, these are probably two of the best options remaining after all of day one’s signings.
If wing is the bigger priority (and to be frank, it should be) Saad and Tatar are the interesting options to me. Tatar can play either side and while he only scored 10 goals last season, his 12% shooting percentage is encouraging. He would need to adjust the being the featured puck shooter on his line, which he did not appear to be last season in Montreal before he fell out of favor, but he’s proven to be a 20+ goal scorer in past years. Perhaps he could recapture that with the Devils.
Saad’s shooting percentage from last season (22%) could scare some fans away, but much like Tatar, he has proven in the past that he can put the puck into the net. Saad could also be an attractive fit to replace some of the aggression and physicality of Nathan Bastian. While not known exclusively for these attributes, Saad’s game is that of a power forward and he would need to bring at least some snarl into the dirty areas while in the lineup, to go with the dirty goals. Again, if the Devils want to try something different on the wings, this could be it.
Now let me say, that I’m not wild about either Tatar or Saad and would leave them as quickly as I would take them. I don’t think either should be looked at as a long-term scoring solution, and both could easily see their goal/point totals plummet outside of the systems they were in. That’s the reason that I steered clear of mentioning Nick Ritchie as a target; he doesn’t appear to be an upgrade over what the team has, and his 2021 season could be a product of playing for the Bruins. Kyle Palmieri would probably be another name some fans were hoping to see mentioned above in this article; there’s a lot of buzz swirling about him staying on Long Island, and if they’re willing to bring him back, I just don’t see a return to the Devils.
My personal feeling is the Devils could make a depth signing here (such as bringing back Zajac), but if they’re looking to improve the team’s goal totals, they should be looking elsewhere. There’s definitely trade targets around the league that could still be acquired, though the Devils have limited expendable assets left. Looking at more internal options (Alexander Holtz, Dawson Mercer, Graeme Clarke, Nolan Foote, increased production from Yegor Sharangovich and Janne Kuokkanen) could wind up being more effective than spending additional free agency money for underwhelming production. If there’s nothing available that is a clear cut improvement over what the team has, they shouldn’t try to force a fit.
What do you think the Devils should do in the remaining weeks of free agency; should they go after one of the players I mentioned as options? Do you think they should pursue one of the players that I said they shouldn’t go for? Are you of the mindset that a depth signing only would be best due to the lack of impact players left unsigned? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!
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And now, you can get many of those same perks issued in cryptocurrency instead of credit card points or U.S. dollars.
If you’ve already added cryptocurrency to your investment portfolio, these options offer some extra coin on top of your initial investment — but you should know exactly how it works before diving in. You should also be prepared for the added responsibilities free crypto may require, especially when tax season approaches.
While some forms of free crypto, like crypto credit card rewards, are only taxed on the capital gains you earn when you cash out (just as any other crypto you buy with your own money), others may be considered taxable income when you receive it, and it’s your responsibility to report that to the IRS. Do your research to know your own tax obligations beforehand.
But if you’re already in on crypto, and prepared to do a little extra tracking of your coins, here are some ways to bolster your holdings — for free.
Before You Start
Evaluate any opportunity for free crypto critically before participating. Many of the more legitimate ways to earn “free” crypto require at least some upfront work, like taking lessons on Coinbase Earn or navigating a shopping portal for crypto rewards. And promises of free money are ripe for manipulation from scammers. Never accept an unsolicited offer for free cryptocurrency, and do your own research into any opportunity before you take part.
Lolli, a Google Chrome or Firefox browser extension, offers “Bitcoin Back” when you shop with its retail partners. It works similarly to browser extensions like Rakuten or Honey that offer discounts and cash back when you use the portal or extension to shop online. Like those programs, Lolli rewards you for spending regular money just as you normally would when shopping online — not for making purchases with crypto.
Retailers on Lolli range from Nike to Sephora to Malaysia Airlines. Rewards go from 1% to as much as 30% Bitcoin back, depending on the retailer and product. Your rewards will go into your Lolli account, and then you can transfer them to your crypto wallet or exchange account.
2. Credit Cards
A cryptocurrency credit card works similarly to other rewards credit cards, but instead of earning cash back or points with every swipe, you’ll get cryptocurrency. While we love simple cash back rewards (and you can always buy crypto with your cash back earnings), these cards can help you more seamlessly pad your crypto portfolio.
Gemini and other exchanges have announced plans for cryptocurrency rewards credit cards, along with fintech companies like BlockFi and Upgrade. The rewards categories on these cards are similar to many traditional cash back credit cards. BlockFi Credit Card, for example, earns a flat 1.5% back in Bitcoin on every purchase you make, after earning 3.5% back for the first 90 days after account opening.
In addition to varying rewards rates, each of these cards offer different redemption values. The Gemini card will let you choose which crypto to redeem rewards in, while BlockFi earns Bitcoin rewards, and others limit your rewards to only certain altcoins.
As with any credit card, the rewards you earn with these cards are only valuable if you avoid their high interest rates. If you use a card to earn crypto rewards, make sure you charge only what you can afford to pay off in full and on time each month, without carrying a debt balance.
3. Look Out for Exchange Sign-Up and Referral Bonuses
Some cryptocurrency exchanges offer sign-up or referral bonuses for using their services. A previous Coinbase sign-up bonus offered $5 to new users to invest in crypto, for example, and the exchange currently offers a $10 bonus to both you and your referral when they make an account and trade at least $100.
Make sure you pay attention to the terms of these bonuses. You may be required to provide more personal information or go through other actions to claim these rewards. Most of these offerings aren’t lucrative enough to warrant signing up for an entirely new exchange if you already have an account, but if you’re a beginner, keep an eye on exchanges you’re considering to see if they offer a sign-up bonus or referral for other friends that may be interested.
4. Coinbase Earn
Popular cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase offers incentives for using the platform’s Learn hub. In order to get the free change, you’ll need to watch Coinbase’s videos, take quizzes, and then Coinbase will deposit a small amount of crypto into your wallet. The content is typically focused on a specific altcoin (like GRT and BOND) and, as a result, these are the coins you’ll earn for going through the lessons.
Because altcoins generally aren’t recommended for long-term investing, you can convert these lesser-known coins into Bitcoin or Ethereum once you earn them. But remember to keep track of these transactions, as every crypto-to-crypto trade is taxable. Additionally, you should track the price value of all your earnings through Coinbase Earn, and report them as income on your federal tax return. If you earn over $600 through the program, Coinbase will issue you a Form 1099-MISC, which you can use to report your earnings.
You’ll need to have a funded Coinbase account, live in an eligible country, and verify all of your personal information to start earning with Coinbase Earn.
5. Earn Interest on Your Bitcoin
A few crypto exchanges allow you to earn interest on your cryptocurrency holdings. Gemini Earn, for example, is a lending program in which you lend your crypto to institutional borrowers and can earn up to 7.4% APY. BlockFi has a similar offering, BlockFi Interest Account, which accrues interest up to 7.5%. Lending your crypto out to these institutions can add even more risk on top of the built-in risk of cryptocurrency, so make sure you read the terms carefully before you sign up and don’t lend more than you can afford to lose.
You can also earn interest by staking on some crypto exchanges, like Binance.US. Staking means leaving cryptocurrency in your wallet to earn rewards or interest. By doing so you help maintain the blockchain network. You can usually only stake certain coins within an exchange, which may require buying into more risky altcoins to reap the benefits.
Interest you earn on your crypto as well as earnings from staking are both taxable, and your responsibility to report as income. If you choose to participate, you’ll need to track the cost basis of your earnings throughout the year to include on your tax return.
6. Airdrops
Of all the methods for earning free crypto, airdrops carry the most risk — more than we believe is worth the benefit for most investors. Developers perform airdrops when they want to gain traction for their new cryptocurrency. Put simply, they give away coins to try and garner adoption.
You can look online to find when airdrop projects are happening; they’re often promoted on the company’s website as well as by users on social media platforms and some crypto news sites. If you qualify, the developers often send the specified amount of coins straight to your digital wallet address.
It’s important to be cautious with any new cryptocurrency projects. Fake airdrops and ICOs— initial coin offerings — are common scams used by hackers. Even when they are real, many of the coins issued in airdrops are not a great investment store of value. Experts recommend sticking with the most well-known cryptos, Bitcoin and Ethereum, especially for beginners. If you follow that recommendation, then pass on airdrops.
Any crypto you earn through airdrops is also taxable income. You’ll be responsible for reporting it as such based on its fair market value on the date it was recorded on the distributed ledger (in most cases, when you receive the airdrop into your digital wallet), according to the IRS.
Even though there are ways to earn extra crypto for free, don’t let the temptation of freebies force your hand. Cryptocurrency is a very volatile, new investment, and you should only ever put in what you’re OK with losing.
Free crypto also might not be free come tax season. Any crypto that may be considered income, as well as crypto-to-crypto conversions or holdings you cash out for U.S. dollars, is taxable. You’ll need to track the market price of any crypto you get when you receive it, and again when you sell it, to report to the IRS come tax season.
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