Move-To-Earn: Fitness Meets Blockchain Rewards in Web3

The Play-to-Earn (P2E) trend has been one of the most significant innovations in the gaming industry with the introduction of blockchain technologies. Based on this, a new concept quickly emerged—Move-to-Earn (M2E), which combines gaming mechanics, cryptocurrency rewards, and an active lifestyle. Move-to-Earn is a model where users earn digital assets by engaging in physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, and other sports. Unlike P2E, which primarily focuses on in-game achievements and tasks, M2E is designed to motivate users to engage in physical activities in real life.

About Move-To-Earn

Move-To-Earn (M2E) is an innovative model that rewards users for movement and physical activity by tracking their efforts through GPS technology, activity sensors, and blockchain systems. Unlike Play-To-Earn, where users earn tokens and NFTs by interacting with a virtual environment, Move-To-Earn is directly integrated into the user’s daily life, making an active lifestyle more rewarding.

Key Differences Between P2E and M2E:

• Focus on Physical Activity: In P2E, users earn rewards in virtual worlds, whereas M2E incentivizes real-world physical actions.
• Technological Integration: M2E heavily relies on mobile devices, wearable gadgets, and GPS tracking to monitor physical activity.
• Audience: M2E attracts not only gamers but also athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals aiming for a healthier lifestyle.

Users can monetize their daily walks, jogs, or workouts, creating an additional incentive to maintain an active lifestyle. Companies developing M2E projects use complex algorithms and blockchain technologies to ensure transparency and fair reward distribution. A crucial challenge in this industry remains maintaining a stable token economy to prevent inflation and ensure sustainability.

Top Move-To-Earn Projects of 2024

StepN

• Release Year: 2021
  Initially, the project operated on the Solana and Binance Smart Chain (BSC) blockchains. However, as user needs evolved, StepN integrated the Avalanche blockchain, providing greater scalability and lower fees. The game entered 2023 with style, welcoming Olympic athlete Usain Bolt as a brand ambassador. Users must create an account, purchase a pair of StepN NFT sneakers using SOL or BNB, and then start moving in the real world. The more they move, the more Green Satoshi Tokens (GST) they earn. In-game challenges, such as the marathon mode, keep players engaged and motivated. Currently, the game has mechanics that limit players’ earnings, playing a crucial role in regulating the game’s economy and helping reduce token inflation.

Genopets

• Release Year: 2022
  Genopets combines elements of a virtual pet with Move-To-Earn, offering users a unique experience. In this game, users care for their digital pets, enhance their abilities, and participate in competitions. Physical exercise directly impacts pet progression, and earned tokens can be used for upgrades and in-game purchases. The project continues to develop, boasting a community of over a million participants. However, the token economy remains one of the game’s most complex aspects, requiring users to carefully manage their resources.

Sweatcoin

• Release Year: 2016
  Sweatcoin was one of the first Move-To-Earn applications, allowing users to earn tokens for every step they take. With over 120 million users worldwide, the app enables token exchange for real goods and services. Its unique partnership ecosystem includes numerous brands that support users. However, despite its accessibility and widespread adoption, Sweatcoin has withdrawal limitations that may reduce interest among more experienced users.

Dustland Runner

• Release Year: 2022
  Dustland Runner offers a unique audio gaming experience, turning each run into an exciting adventure. Players earn DOSE tokens by completing missions and achieving set goals. While actively supported by the gaming community, the number of active users has yet to reach significant scale.

Fitmint

• Release Year: 2022
  Fitmint is designed for users looking for an easy way to combine physical workouts with financial rewards. Players must complete fitness exercises tracked via a mobile app, earning tokens based on their activity level. However, the project’s economic model remains weak, potentially limiting its long-term sustainability.

Advantages of Move-To-Earn

One of the key benefits of Move-To-Earn is the ability to monetize everyday activities such as walking, running, or cycling. Users can earn digital assets, which can later be exchanged for real-world goods, services, or cryptocurrency.

Technological integration plays a crucial role in Move-To-Earn’s effectiveness. The use of mobile apps, wearable gadgets, and GPS systems ensures accurate tracking of physical activity and guarantees transparency in reward distribution. This allows users to see tangible results of their efforts, motivating them to maintain regular exercise routines.

Move-To-Earn projects foster active and engaged communities where participants can share their achievements, reach collective goals, and take part in various events and challenges. This enhances a sense of belonging and social support, further motivating users to lead an active lifestyle. Additionally, Move-To-Earn enables developers to integrate modern blockchain and smart contract technologies, ensuring data security and transparency of transactions within the ecosystem.

Disadvantages of Move-To-Earn

Despite its obvious advantages, Move-To-Earn faces several significant challenges and drawbacks:

• High Entry Cost: Many projects require users to purchase NFTs or other digital assets to start earning, which can be a barrier for new participants, especially in regions with lower purchasing power.
• Token Economy Instability: The token economy in Move-To-Earn projects is often volatile and subject to fluctuations in cryptocurrency markets. A decline in token value can significantly reduce user motivation, particularly for those who view participation as a source of income.
• Limited Use Cases for Earned Tokens: If users cannot efficiently exchange tokens for real-world goods or services, interest in the platform may fade quickly.
• Technological Dependence: Move-To-Earn projects rely heavily on technology and mobile devices, creating risks of technical failures and vulnerabilities that could lead to data loss or unauthorized access to user accounts.
• User Fatigue and Motivation Loss: Long-term participation in such projects can lead to burnout and a decline in motivation, particularly if users do not see tangible progress or earnings.

Conclusion

Move-To-Earn opens new horizons for the fitness industry and the Web3 ecosystem, offering a unique combination of physical activity and cryptocurrency rewards. In 2025, this model continues to motivate millions of users, improving both their physical health and financial well-being.

With each passing year, Move-To-Earn becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, moving beyond just gaming mechanics. Projects continue to evolve, adding new features, improving token economies, and offering more stable reward systems. More major brands and tech companies are showing interest in this concept, contributing to its global adoption.

For Move-To-Earn to achieve long-term success, several key challenges must be addressed, including lowering entry barriers, ensuring sustainable token economies, and creating diverse use cases for earned digital assets.

In the long run, Move-To-Earn has the potential to become more than just a trend—it could become a fundamental part of the Web3 ecosystem and modern active lifestyle culture. Innovations in this space can transform not only the fitness industry but also how people approach health and financial well-being. Balanced development, community support, and the active adoption of new technologies will be key factors in the future success of this model.