Bitcoin has always been about security and decentralization - but not programmability. Until now. Arch Network is changing that. Launched in June 2025, it’s the first system to bring smart contracts to Bitcoin without bridges, without intermediaries, and without compromising Bitcoin’s original design. And if you’ve been active on its testnet, you might be sitting on a future airdrop worth hundreds - maybe thousands - of dollars. This isn’t hype. It’s happening right now.
What Is Arch Network?
Arch Network isn’t another Ethereum sidechain or a wrapped Bitcoin token. It’s a modular privacy layer built directly on Bitcoin’s base layer. It uses FROST + ROAST multisig technology to let users run DeFi apps - like DEXs, lending platforms, and DAOs - on Bitcoin without needing to move BTC off-chain. That means your Bitcoin stays secure on its original blockchain, but now it can do things like swap, lend, and earn interest - all without trusting a third party.
The network uses zero-knowledge proofs to keep transactions private. It supports both Bitcoin’s UTXO model and account-based systems, making it flexible for developers. Unlike other Bitcoin Layer 2s that rely on bridges (which are hacked constantly), Arch removes the bridge entirely. That’s a big deal. It cuts out a major attack surface. And it’s already drawing over 250,000 wallet connections since launch.
The Archstronaut Program: How the Airdrop Works
Arch Network hasn’t officially launched its $ARCH token yet. But it’s already running its airdrop - called the Archstronaut Program - through a points-based system called XP (experience points). Your XP accumulates as you complete tasks on the testnet. When mainnet launches, those points will convert into $ARCH tokens.
There are four phases:
- Phase I (Off-chain): Join Discord, follow Twitter/X, complete basic missions.
- Phase II (Testnet): Connect your wallet, do swaps, provide liquidity, complete daily tasks.
- Phase III (Mainnet): Active participation once the real network goes live.
- Phase IV (Beyond): Ongoing rewards for long-term users and validators.
You don’t need to wait for mainnet to start earning. The testnet is live. And right now, it’s your only shot to get in early.
How to Join the Archstronaut Program
Here’s exactly how to start earning XP:
- Get a Unisat wallet. Arch Network only works with Unisat wallets. If you don’t have one, download the Unisat Chrome extension or mobile app. It’s the most popular Bitcoin wallet for DeFi on Bitcoin.
- Go to the Arch Network dashboard. Visit arch.network and connect your Unisat wallet.
- Claim testnet Bitcoin (TBTC). On the Arch dashboard, use the faucet to get TBTC. You’ll need this to trade and stake on testnet.
- Swap TBTC for USDC on Uniset. Use the built-in Uniset platform to swap your TBTC for USDC testnet tokens. This step is required to participate in liquidity missions.
- Start doing daily missions. Every day, complete at least one swap (BTC/USDC), one liquidity provision (add funds to a pool), and one delegation (stake your tokens). These are non-negotiable for XP.
- Refer friends. Share your referral link. You get 500 XP just for signing someone up - plus 10% of their XP for life. That’s how top earners hit Galactic Overlord rank.
Weekly missions include contests, meme challenges, and community polls. These give bonus XP. Don’t ignore them. Some users have earned 2-3x more by staying active.
Ranks and Multipliers: What You Can Earn
Your XP isn’t just a number - it’s tied to your rank. Higher ranks get multipliers that boost your final airdrop. Here’s the breakdown:
| Rank | XP Required | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Cadet | 0-1,000 | 1x |
| Explorer | 1,001-5,000 | 1.5x |
| Navigator | 5,001-15,000 | 2x |
| Commander | 15,001-50,000 | 3x |
| Admiral | 50,001-100,000 | 4x |
| Galactic Overlord | 100,001+ | 5x |
Top performers have already hit over 150,000 XP. If the airdrop allocates 10 million $ARCH tokens (a conservative estimate), and you’re at 100,000 XP with a 5x multiplier, you could be looking at 50,000 tokens. At $0.50 per token (a low estimate for early launch), that’s $25,000. Even at $0.10, it’s $5,000.
Why This Airdrop Is Different
Most airdrops are giveaways. Arch’s is a qualification. You’re not just signing up - you’re proving you understand Bitcoin DeFi. You’re learning how to swap, stake, and provide liquidity on a real testnet. That’s valuable. It means the people who get tokens are likely to be active users - not just speculators.
Also, Arch Network raised between $7 million and $25 million in private funding - far less than other Layer 2s. That suggests the team isn’t planning to dump millions of tokens on the market. The airdrop could be the primary distribution method, making it more equitable.
And unlike projects that rely on bridges (like Stacks or Rootstock), Arch doesn’t move Bitcoin. It extends Bitcoin. That’s a fundamental difference. If Bitcoin’s value holds - and it has - then Arch’s value is tied to Bitcoin’s growth, not speculation on a new chain.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
There are risks. No security audit has been completed yet. That’s a red flag for institutions - but not necessarily for retail users. The testnet is live, and the code is open. Many developers are reviewing it. Still, don’t deposit real Bitcoin. Only use testnet tokens.
Also, don’t expect to earn big overnight. This isn’t a one-click airdrop. It’s a grind. You need to log in daily. Do your swaps. Add liquidity. Refer friends. Miss a week, and you’ll fall behind.
And yes - you need a Unisat wallet. No other wallet works. If you’re using Phantom, Trust Wallet, or MetaMask, you’re out of luck. Unisat is the only option for Bitcoin-native DeFi on Arch.
Who Should Join - and Who Should Skip
Join if:
- You own Bitcoin and want to earn more from it.
- You’re comfortable with wallets, swaps, and testnets.
- You believe Bitcoin can do more than just store value.
- You’re willing to spend 10-15 minutes a day for the next 3-6 months.
Skip if:
- You think DeFi is too complicated.
- You want instant rewards.
- You’re only here for a quick flip.
- You don’t want to learn how Bitcoin DeFi actually works.
This isn’t a lottery. It’s a training ground. The people who win are the ones who treat it like a job.
What’s Next for Arch Network
The mainnet launch is expected in Q2 or Q3 2026. After that, $ARCH will be used for staking, governance, and paying fees. Validators will earn rewards. The network plans to become a DAO, meaning token holders will vote on upgrades.
Future updates include privacy-preserving lending protocols, Bitcoin-native NFT marketplaces, and socialFi apps where users earn tokens for engagement - all built on Bitcoin, not on top of it.
Arch isn’t trying to replace Bitcoin. It’s trying to unlock it.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve read this far, you’re already ahead of 95% of people who saw the word “airdrop” and scrolled past. Arch Network’s airdrop isn’t about free money. It’s about being part of the next chapter of Bitcoin. The same way early Ethereum users learned Solidity, you’re learning how to build on Bitcoin’s true potential.
Don’t wait for an official announcement. The window is open now. Connect your Unisat wallet. Do your daily missions. Refer three friends. Stay consistent. By the time mainnet launches, you won’t just be a participant - you’ll be a founder.
Is the Arch Network airdrop confirmed?
No official token launch has been announced yet. But the Archstronaut Program is live, and XP earned now will directly convert to $ARCH tokens when mainnet launches. All evidence suggests this is a pre-launch airdrop - not a rumor.
Do I need to buy Bitcoin to join?
No. You only need Bitcoin testnet tokens (TBTC), which you can claim for free from the Arch Network faucet. Never send real Bitcoin to any Arch Network address. Only use testnet assets.
Can I use MetaMask or Trust Wallet?
No. Arch Network only works with Unisat wallets. Other wallets don’t support Bitcoin’s UTXO model or the FROST multisig tech Arch uses. Unisat is required.
How much XP do I need to get a meaningful airdrop?
There’s no official threshold, but users with 50,000+ XP and a 3x-5x multiplier are likely to receive significant allocations. Top performers have earned over 150,000 XP. Aim for at least 50,000 XP to be in the top tier.
Is Arch Network safe?
The testnet is safe for practice. No security audit has been completed yet, so treat it like early-stage DeFi. Never deposit real funds. Use only testnet tokens. The project is open-source, and the team is active in community channels - good signs for transparency.
When will $ARCH be listed on exchanges?
No exchange listings have been announced. The team’s focus is on mainnet launch and token distribution via the airdrop. Listings will likely follow after mainnet goes live and the community is established.
What happens if I stop doing missions?
Your XP doesn’t expire. But you won’t earn more. To maximize your reward, you need to stay active through mainnet launch. The highest multipliers go to those who remain engaged from testnet to mainnet.
Comments (9)
Just did my first swap on Uniset today-got 200 XP already. So easy, even my dog could do it (and he’s asleep right now). Keep grinding, folks.
Oh wow, another ‘Bitcoin revolution’ that needs a Chrome extension to work. How novel. Next they’ll tell us we need a special spoon to eat our BTC oatmeal. This isn’t innovation-it’s a glitter-covered middle finger to Satoshi’s vision.
Wait, so you’re telling me I have to do *daily tasks*? Like… a job? And I thought crypto was supposed to be ‘passive income’? 😅 Also, why does everyone keep saying ‘Unisat only’ like it’s a cult requirement? I’m just here for the free money, not a loyalty program.
They’re using FROST + ROAST? That’s not even real tech-sounds like a made-up acronym from a sci-fi B-movie. I bet this is a Fed-controlled decoy to get Bitcoiners to hand over their private keys under the guise of ‘testnet’. I’ve seen this before. Remember the Tether ‘audit’? Same playbook.
Too much talk. Just do the steps. Wallet, faucet, swap, stake. Done. No need to overthink. I did it in 15 mins. Got 300 XP. Simple.
Let me be clear-this is the most intellectually honest Bitcoin DeFi project I’ve seen since the genesis block. Most Layer 2s are just glorified ponzi schemes wrapped in whitepapers. Arch doesn’t abstract Bitcoin away-it *enhances* it. The fact that they’re using native UTXO + ZKPs without bridges is a cryptographic triumph. And yet, the same people who screamed ‘HODL’ for 10 years are now complaining about having to click a button daily? You don’t get to be a Bitcoin maximalist and then refuse to learn how it works. This isn’t a faucet-it’s a rite of passage.
I’ve been sitting here thinking… what if Bitcoin’s real purpose wasn’t to be money, but to be a canvas? Like… a blank ledger where humanity can paint new kinds of trust? Arch feels like the first brushstroke that doesn’t smudge the original. I’m not here for the tokens-I’m here because I want to believe in something that doesn’t suck.
Just referred my cousin. He signed up. Got 500 XP. Easy win. Do it. It’s free.
Y’all are acting like this is the second coming. I’ve seen 10 ‘Bitcoin DeFi’ projects die in the last 2 years. And now you’re all crying because you have to DO A THING? I’m not even gonna touch it. I’m saving my time for the real moonshot-when Elon buys Bitcoin and turns it into a meme coin. 🤡