Top Perp DEXs With the Best Trading Rewards and Points Programs (2025 Edition)

In 2025, perpetual decentralized exchanges (perp DEXs) are in a fierce race to attract traders with lucrative trading rewards and points programs. As competition intensifies, the platforms offering the most compelling incentives and transparent airdrop opportunities are rising to the top. This year, seven perp DEXs stand out for their innovative approaches to user rewards: Hyperliquid, Lighter, Extended, Pacifica, Paradex, Aevo, and Vertex Protocol. Each brings a unique structure to points farming, community engagement, and future token allocation, making them must-watch venues for both active traders and strategic airdrop farmers.

The Perp DEX Incentive Landscape: What Sets These Platforms Apart?

The perpetual trading sector has evolved rapidly, with users now expecting more than just low fees or deep liquidity. In 2025, savvy traders are laser-focused on platforms that reward activity with tangible value via points systems, competitive trading competitions, and multi-phase airdrops. Points can often be traded OTC or redeemed for tokens during distribution events, sometimes fetching up to $50 per point as seen on Lighter’s market.

This new paradigm is not just about speculation; it’s about maximizing ROI through optimized participation. For those seeking the best in perp DEX rewards this year, understanding each platform’s program details is essential. Here’s how the top contenders stack up:

1. Hyperliquid: Advanced Points Farming and Community-Driven Rewards

Hyperliquid has cemented its reputation as an innovation leader by integrating game-like mechanics into its points program. The platform offers weekly quests and trading competitions that allow users to boost their points earnings through skill-based challenges rather than just raw volume. Hyperliquid’s ongoing commitment to transparency, publishing real-time leaderboards and detailed reward breakdowns, has fostered strong community trust.

Points earned on Hyperliquid have become highly sought after, especially given rumors of an upcoming airdrop event tied directly to cumulative point totals. The protocol also incentivizes long-term engagement by rewarding both active traders and liquidity providers equally, a rare balance in this segment.

2. Lighter: Zero-Fee Trading and High-Value OTC Points Market

Lighter has exploded onto the scene with its zero-fee trading model across multiple chains, including Base (Coinbase L2) and Arbitrum, and an aggressive points farming campaign that began in March 2025. What truly sets Lighter apart is its OTC market for points; at present, Lighter Points command approximately $50 per point, reflecting both scarcity and high future token expectations.

The platform’s quest system encourages consistent participation by rewarding not only trading volume but also referrals and completion of specific tasks (such as staking or providing feedback). With an official token launch set for December 2025, and industry analysts predicting significant upside, Lighter remains one of the most attractive venues for ambitious airdrop hunters looking to maximize returns before distribution day.

3. Extended: Under-the-Radar but Gaining Momentum

Extended may not have the same headline presence as some competitors yet, but its innovative approach to user incentives is quickly earning attention from seasoned traders. Extended focuses on rewarding early adopters with multipliers on points earned during beta phases, making it especially appealing for those willing to take calculated risks before mainstream adoption hits.

The platform places emphasis on community governance, allocating a substantial portion of future tokens directly based on user participation metrics rather than VC allocations or closed sales. For traders seeking asymmetric upside through early involvement in emerging perp DEXs, Extended is one project worth close monitoring throughout 2025.

Navigating the Best Perpetual DEX Rewards in 2025

The strategies for maximizing gains across these platforms require both tactical execution (timing trades around high-multiplier events) and strategic patience (building up point balances ahead of major distribution milestones). For those new to this landscape, or looking for advanced tips, resources like our guide on farming points early on new perpetual DEXs can provide actionable insights tailored to current market dynamics.

4. Pacifica: Gamified Rewards and Social Engagement

Pacifica is carving out a niche by blending social trading features with an adaptive rewards engine. Its points program is structured around not just trading activity, but also community-driven quests, team-based competitions, and social sharing initiatives. This approach creates a sticky user experience, traders are incentivized to invite friends, participate in group challenges, and contribute educational content for bonus multipliers.

Pacifica’s upcoming airdrop is expected to be one of the most inclusive in the sector, with early testers, top referrers, and high-volume traders all eligible for different reward tiers. The platform’s transparent distribution schedule has been well received by the community, reducing uncertainty and encouraging sustained engagement as the anticipated token event approaches.

5. Paradex: Zero-Fee Trading Meets XP-Driven Airdrops

Paradex distinguishes itself with its zero-fee perpetual contract trading and robust experience points (XP) system. Each week, 4 million XP are distributed based on user activity metrics, trading volume, referrals, and liquidity provision all count. What sets Paradex apart is its pro-user tokenomics: over half of total tokens are earmarked for the community via ongoing airdrops and XP redemption events.

This structure appeals to both high-frequency traders seeking cost efficiency and strategic users aiming for long-term value accrual through XP stacking. The weekly cadence of rewards ensures that active participation is consistently recognized, and rumors of additional bonus rounds tied to milestone achievements keep engagement levels high.

6. Aevo: Multi-Asset Points Farming with Layered Incentives

Aevo offers a sophisticated suite of perpetual markets across major chains, but it’s their layered incentive model that draws sophisticated traders. Aevo’s points program integrates base rewards for trading volume with dynamic boosts for staking native tokens or providing liquidity to specific pairs during promotional periods.

This flexibility allows users to tailor their farming strategies, some may focus on maximizing leverage in high-volatility markets for short-term point spikes, while others can accrue steady rewards through liquidity mining or holding positions over longer durations. Aevo’s roadmap includes periodic “supercycle” events where all point earnings are multiplied for a set window, savvy participants can time their trades around these periods for outsized returns.

7. Vertex Protocol: Hybrid Model Blending CEX Speed with DEX Transparency

Vertex Protocol stands out as a hybrid solution offering CEX-like speed and deep liquidity while preserving full on-chain transparency. Its rewards ecosystem centers around the Vertex Points Program: users earn points through trading activity, market making, referrals, and even governance participation.

The protocol frequently runs themed competitions where top performers earn bonus allocations or unique NFTs redeemable for future utility or fee discounts. Vertex Protocol’s focus on cross-platform interoperability also means users can farm rewards across multiple chains without siloed balances, a notable advantage in today’s fragmented DeFi landscape.

Comparing Perp DEX Incentives: Key Metrics at a Glance

• Hyperliquid: Skill-based quests and weekly leaderboards; strong transparency; rumored major airdrop.
• Lighter: Zero-fee trading; OTC points market at $50/point; token launch December 2025.
• Extended: Early adopter multipliers; governance-weighted distribution; beta participation bonuses.
• Pacifica: Social quests and team competitions; broad airdrop eligibility; transparent distribution calendar.
• Paradex: Zero fees; weekly XP drops (4M/week); over 57% token allocation to users.
• Aevo: Multi-chain incentives; supercycle events multiply earnings; flexible strategy options (staking/trading/Liquidity).
• Vertex Protocol: Hybrid CEX/DEX model; cross-chain point farming; NFT utility rewards and fee discounts.

The Strategic Edge: How to Maximize Perpetual DEX Rewards in 2025

Navigating this competitive landscape requires more than just brute-force trading volume, it’s about understanding multiplier windows, referral dynamics, cross-chain opportunities, and timing your activity around platform-specific events like supercycles or leaderboard resets. For those looking to optimize returns across multiple venues simultaneously (and avoid common pitfalls), our comprehensive guide on earning universal rewards across perp DEXs offers actionable frameworks tailored to current protocols’ mechanics.

The decentralized perpetual exchange space remains one of crypto’s most dynamic frontiers in late 2025, with new reward mechanisms emerging almost monthly and platforms racing to outdo each other in terms of user value creation. Whether you’re an active trader chasing leaderboard spots or a patient farmer stacking points ahead of major distributions, these seven platforms represent the best blend of innovation and upside potential this cycle has to offer.

About the Author

Trevor Maddox

Author

Trevor Maddox is a portfolio strategist and hybrid analyst with 14 years of experience managing multi-asset portfolios across stocks, crypto, and forex. He is dedicated to building resilient, diversified strategies and is a frequent contributor to industry conferences. Trevor believes in continuous learning and adaptive risk management. "Diversify smart, manage smarter."

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