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STEPN

By Eric RosenbergPublished Jun 3, 2022 · Updated Nov 2, 2026 · 5 min read
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STEPN is a mobile app that pays crypto tokens for walking, jogging or running outdoors while you "wear" NFT sneakers bought in the app. It launched in December 2021 on Solana, and it still runs in 2026, though the tokens it pays are worth a small fraction of their 2022 highs.

Item Detail
Developer Find Satoshi Lab (FSL)
Launched December 2021
Blockchains Solana and BNB Chain, plus a POL realm after a December 2024 migration
Reward token GST (Green Satoshi Token), a separate version on each chain
Governance token GMT (Green Metaverse Token)
Cost to start Buying at least one sneaker NFT, with prices set by the in-app market
Related app STEPN GO, a newer FSL app with adidas-branded sneakers
Buy GMT (US) Kraken
Buy GMT (outside the US) Kraken, OKX (Global, not US)

How Does STEPN Work?

You need a sneaker NFT to earn. Each sneaker uses "energy," which refills over the day, and every minute of movement outdoors spends energy and earns GST. The app checks your speed with GPS, so walking on a treadmill doesn't count.

Sneakers come in types matched to pace, such as Walker, Jogger, Runner and Trainer. Each one earns only within its own speed range, which the app shows before you buy, so pick the type that fits how fast you actually move.

Owning more sneakers gives you more daily energy. Sneakers also wear down and need repairs paid in GST, and you can add gems, level them up, or "mint" two sneakers together to create a new one to sell.

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GST Vs. GMT

GST is the reward token you earn by moving. Its supply has no fixed cap, so its price falls when players earn faster than others spend.

GMT is STEPN's governance token, with a fixed supply. It is used for higher-level upgrades and, since late 2024, for voting in the GMT DAO. FSL also launched GMT Pay in 2025. GMT trades on major exchanges, while GST trades mostly inside the app and on decentralized exchanges.

What Has Changed Since The Launch Boom

  • The 2022 crash. GST fell more than 90% in 2022 as new player sign-ups slowed and STEPN blocked users in mainland China. Daily earnings that once paid for a sneaker in weeks dropped sharply.
  • More chains. STEPN added realms on BNB Chain and Ethereum in 2022, each with its own GST, and its December 2024 recap lists a "POL Realm Migration." Its 2026 updates still run events on Solana and BNB Chain.
  • adidas partnership. In 2024, FSL sold STEPN x adidas Genesis sneakers priced at 10,000 GMT each, then released a physical STEPN GO x adidas Ultraboost 5 for holders in December 2024.
  • Still active. FSL kept publishing monthly updates in 2026, including marathon events and new features.

How To Start Using STEPN

  1. Download the app. Get STEPN from the App Store or Google Play and sign up with your email.
  2. Set up the in-app wallet. STEPN creates a wallet for you. Write the recovery phrase on paper and store it safely.
  3. Fund the wallet. Send the coin for the realm you want to use, such as SOL or BNB, to that realm's wallet address. Buy those coins on an exchange that serves your country, such as Kraken (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia) or Coinbase (US, UK, EU, Canada and other countries). Our exchange ranking compares costs.
  4. Buy a sneaker. Pick a type that matches your pace from the in-app marketplace. Check the price in your own currency before you buy.
  5. Move outdoors. Start a session, keep your phone with you, and stay within your sneaker's speed range to earn GST.

STEPN Pricing And Fees

STEPN charges fees on marketplace sales and some actions, and the app shows the fee before you confirm a sale. Repairs, level-ups and minting cost GST or GMT, and each blockchain charges small network fees.

STEPN Alternatives

Sweatcoin is a simpler option: it counts steps from your phone and pays in Sweatcoins you can spend on rewards, including some crypto, with no NFT to buy first. A related app, Sweat Wallet, holds the SWEAT token. STEPN GO is FSL's own alternative with a different sneaker system.

Risks To Watch Out For

  • Up-front cost. You must buy a sneaker NFT before you earn anything, and its resale value can fall.
  • Token prices. GST has no supply cap, and both GST and GMT trade far below 2022 levels.
  • Rule changes. FSL can change earning rates, repair costs and features at any time.
  • Wallet security. Losing your recovery phrase means losing your sneakers and tokens. Phishing apps copy STEPN's branding, so only download from official app stores.
  • Taxes. In the US, tokens you earn are usually income when received. See our play-to-earn taxes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is STEPN Still Working?

Yes. FSL continued to run STEPN and publish updates in 2026. Earnings are much lower than in early 2022 because token prices have fallen.

Do You Need To Buy An NFT To Use STEPN?

Yes. You need at least one sneaker NFT to earn rewards in STEPN. Prices are set by other players on the in-app marketplace.

What Is The Difference Between GST And GMT?

GST is the reward token you earn by moving, with no fixed supply. GMT is the governance token with a fixed supply, used for upgrades and voting, and it trades on exchanges like Kraken and OKX.

Can You Earn Money Walking With STEPN?

You can earn GST, which can be swapped for other crypto, but daily earnings are small and depend on token prices. Many players don't earn back the cost of their sneaker.

Does STEPN Work On A Treadmill?

No. STEPN uses your phone's GPS to track movement outdoors, so indoor treadmill sessions don't earn rewards.

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