The Brave browser takes user privacy and security seriously: so much so that it implemented Brave rewards, an entirely optional feature that lets users see ads only when they want to and for rewards.
Brave browser users can earn BAT tokens when they choose to activate the Brave rewards program. The program is entirely optional and lets you collect BAT utility tokens to tip your favourite content creators without selling or sharing your data with third parties. However, since BAT is designed as a utility token, it can be hard to withdraw it to your crypto wallet.
In this article, we will explain how the Brave browser rewards program works and how to withdraw your BAT from your Brave account.
What Is Brave Browser?
Brave is a privacy-oriented browser designed to protect your anonymity as you surf the web. Unlike many other popular browsers, such as Chrome, Opera, or Firefox, Brave doesn’t track your IP address nor allows cookies or collects your private data. Thanks to that, you can surf the web without any ads or distracting pop-ups. It’s also easier on your computer’s RAM than ad blocker extensions and can be used with TOR to further protect your privacy.
While private and ad-free web surfing is Brave’s main functionality, that doesn’t mean there are no ads on the browser. Users can opt-in to the Brave rewards program and activate ads to receive BAT.
The rewards system shows you ads from verified Brave publishers (companies that advertise) based on your location and other metrics. As you watch ads, you earn BAT, which you can use to tip your favourite content creators on the Brave ecosystem.
However, that doesn’t mean Brave collects your information. Your data is stored only on your device, and it’s never stored on Brave servers or shared with third parties.
What Is Brave Tokenomics?
Brave’s approach to online advertisements is quite revolutionary in many ways. Currently, the popular browsers we use collect a lot of information about us and share it with third parties to make a profit. In other words, these companies make huge profits simply by exploiting our data.
Brave, on the other hand, takes a different approach. The browser’s business model depends on BAT token economics, where users earn tokens by opting to view ads. Users can withdraw their tokens or use them to tip content creators or other websites they appreciate.
Brave receives 30% of all ad revenue and the transaction fees attached to tips. In a way, Brave is a local environment for directly supporting select businesses/content creators online.
That’s why BAT should be considered a utility token rather than a cryptocurrency in its own right, as the Brave team highlights.
What Is Basic Attention Token (BAT)?
Most crypto projects advertise their native tokens as utility tokens since SEC deems asset-backed tokens as securities and thus subject to regulation. That’s why most initial coin offerings often promote and sell “utility” tokens without proper use cases: to avoid financial regulation.
Unfortunately, that means most crypto projects and their so-called utility tokens are no more than a thin cover for fancy pump-and-dump schemes, which is also why the crypto market crashes so often and so hard.
But Brave is one of the rare projects that seems to have found a genuine use case for its tokenomics. While it’s very unlikely to replace mainstream advertisement practices (the profit margin for ad revenue is quite limited with this model, even with large-scale adoption), it’s definitely a step towards something different, or web3, as they call it.
On the other hand, the developed use case for BAT is precisely why it’s somewhat difficult to withdraw the asset from your Brave account. Since it’s primarily designed as a utility token, Brave and BAT developers have been slow to integrate the mechanisms to move BAT outside of the Brave ecosystem and into the free-floating markets of cryptocurrency.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t withdraw BAT from Brave or use it on other networks. BAT is an ERC20 token based on the Ethereum blockchain and can be used on both Ethereum and Solana ecosystems.
How to Use Brave Rewards
If you want to earn BAT tokens for viewing ads, you can turn on the Brave rewards program. The amount of BAT you earn increases as you view more ads.
Not only is Brave rewards completely optional, but you can also adjust how many ads you view in an hour based on your preferences.
Your BAT awards are automatically sent to your Brave rewards wallet each month based on your viewership details. You can continue collecting your rewards in Brave rewards and use it for its primary purpose: send BAT tips to your favourite content creators.
Brave rewards have an auto-contribute function that lets you tip your favourite creators regularly. You can choose which creators you want to support through the interface. While rewards are meagre, it’s a good way to show your support for great content on the web.
Verified publishers on the Brave network receive these tips every month as payouts. You can also get registered as a publisher and start collecting BAT tokens from appreciating viewers. All content creators all welcome to join: you simply have to register your twitch account, youtube account, website or publication as a publisher.
How to Enable Brave Rewards
The brave rewards program is available on all Android mobile devices but not on iOS mobile devices. You can also access it on macOS, Windows and Linux operating systems.
If you don’t already use the Brave browser, start by installing it from the official Brave website. Upon installation, you’ll be given an introductory tour of the browser interface, where you can enable Brave rewards.
If you have already downloaded the browser but haven’t enabled the Rewards system, navigate to Main Menu and click Brave Rewards. You can also click the Rewards Icon (the red triangle) and go to Rewards Settings.
You can access the Brave Rewards panel as you’re surfing the web. The panel lets you view the tipping options for that specific page. You can manage your tipping settings on the Rewards settings page.
Since Brave Rewards is entirely optional, you also get to control how many Brave ads you see as you surf. Your browser experience is completely adjustable, including the form and frequency of ads you view.
Brave ads can appear as sponsored images on your tab, cards on your Brave news feed, or push notifications. You can manage push notifications by changing their frequency to 0-10 per hour. You can also disable them completely from the settings.
If you enable the Brave News feature, you’ll also see the Brave news ads. You’re not able to manage their frequency, but you can disable the news feature completely.
Finally, you can disable the sponsored images tab through the customize option in the browser settings.
How to Withdraw BAT From Brave
You can withdraw your BAT tokens from your Brave Rewards Wallet through your Gemini or Uphold account. You can also exchange your BAT tokens for gift cards. We will explain each option in more detail.
If you want to withdraw your BAT for fiat currency, you have to transfer it to either Gemini or Uphold first. Both applications require KYC identity verification, so you’ll have to give up personal information to be able to withdraw funds. While this seems at odds with Brave’s general ethos of privacy protection, regulations around crypto-to-fiat transfers make it a necessary step.
Note that you only need to complete identity verification if you seek to transfer BAT outside of the rewards system. As long as you keep your BAT in your rewards wallet or use it on the Brave Network, you don’t need to verify your ID.
How to Withdraw BAT From Brave via Gemini
If you’re a Gemini user, you can connect your Gemini account to Brave Rewards to receive BAT directly to your Gemini wallet. Once you link the accounts, you’ll see your BAT rewards in your Gemini wallet. You’ll also be able to spend the BAT tokens you purchased on Gemini in the Brave system for tips and other in-app purchases.
You need to open a Gemini account to take advantage of this option.
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
- Install the Brave Browser
- Enable Brave Rewards through the Rewards Settings page
- Click Verify Wallet to connect your Gemini account to the Rewards
- If you don’t have a Gemini account, you’ll be prompted to open a new account on the Gemini website
- Once you have BAT in your Gemini account, you can exchange it for other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ripple (XRP) on the Gemini exchange.
How to Withdraw Bat Tokens With Uphold
- Go to Uphold.com and create an account.
- Verify your Uphold account by filling out your personal information. You have to provide your full name, address, phone number and email address, and a copy of a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Once you verify your identity, you can connect your Uphold account to your Brave rewards account. Once you link both accounts, you’ll see your BAT balance in your Uphold wallet.
- You can withdraw your BAT from Uphold by sending it to other crypto exchanges like Binance and Coinbase or by adding a payout method. You can connect your bank account to Uphold to transfer USD to your account or withdraw fiat money.
How to Turn BAT Into Gift Cards
Brave has a partnership with TAP Network that allows you to turn your BAT to gift cards. TAP Network is a marketplace for various gift cards and lets you exchange your BAT tokens for sweepstakes rewards.
A Few Words Before You Leave…
Brave offers a safe and private browsing experience, free from trackers that record your every move online. You can enjoy add-free web surfing on Brave or activate the Brave Rewards program to see select ads from Brave publishers on your web browser and earn BAT rewards.
BAT rewards can be used to tip content creators, or you can withdraw them to an external wallet address through Uphold or Gemini. Beware that you’ll have to comply with KYC processes on these applications before you can withdraw BAT tokens.