Short answer. Brave Rewards lets you earn Basic Attention Token (BAT) for choosing to see privacy-preserving Brave Ads in the Brave browser. Turn it on from the BAT icon in the address bar, pick which ad formats you see, then connect a payout account to receive earnings. It works on desktop and Android; on iOS it only supports creators.
Last updated 30 October 2026
READ: All About Brave Browser
Enabling Brave Browser Rewards
After installing Brave Browser, you’ll be shown the ‘Welcome Tour’ and be given the option to ‘Enable Rewards’. If you already have the browser installed, you can enable Brave Rewards via the browser’s menu. When navigating the Brave Rewards page in the browser’s settings, you’ll see links to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy as well as an explainer on how it works. Clicking ‘Yes, I’m in!’ will get your set-up process started.Ad settings
The options are simple: Brave Rewards can be enabled or disabled. Additionally, you can choose how much advertising you wish to see. As per below, select ‘Ad Settings’ to change this setting. Ads will be shown up to your maximum threshold per hour you select, which can be changed at any time. You may not see exactly this many ads as this is a maximum number you’ll receive, which depends on a range of factors such as your usage or location. Once enabled, ads will start appearing in the lower right-hand corner of your active browser window.Tips
To tip content creators using deposited or earned BAT, click the BAT icon in the browser’s address bar. Depending on the website you’re on, you can directly tip the content creator. Tips can also be sent to content creators on websites such as Reddit, Twitter, GitHub or YouTube. You can choose to send a one-time tip to the content creator of 1, 10 or 100 BAT. Alternatively, you can set up a monthly tip, an option that appeals to those who enjoy rewarding the creators of the content they frequently consume. If you attempt to tip a publisher who’s not verified on the Brave Browser as a publisher, your tip will be attempted for 90 days. If the publisher remains unverified after this time, you get back the amount of your attempted tip.Signing Up to Uphold
To back up your BAT and access advanced features of Brave Browser, it’s highly recommended you create an Uphold account. Doing so will let you have your earned BAT automatically withdrawn from your Brave wallet to your Uphold account. Once in this account, you can exchange your BAT other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies. Alternatively, you can send it to another Ethereum address. At the end of the tour, you may be asked to create an Uphold account. If you don’t see this, you can do this by heading to ‘Sign Up’ on the official Uphold website. (Remember to verify the accuracy of the URL to ensure you are not on a phishing site.) To proceed, you must provide certain details as well as read and agree to Uphold’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.Account verification
Once you’ve created an account, Uphold will ask you to verify it. Since Uphold is a U.S.-based company, it is legally obligated to adhere to KYC requirements. And so, you must provide your full legal name, date of birth and contact number and match the photo ID supplied. Next, you must verify your email address. Click ‘Verify’ to initiate the process. Within seconds, a verification email will appear in your inbox. Uphold will issue a verification link to the email used on signup. Only click the link if you are expecting it and have personally checked the domain in the URL.ID verification
In this final step of account setup, you must submit address information which matches the photo ID you uploaded in the previous step. You can upload a copy of your ID via smartphone or webcam. You must have a government-issued ID document; a well-lit space; and the ability to photograph yourself and your ID. Following this, Uphold will process your submission and email you regarding the outcome. Once verified, you can access all user functionalities such as withdrawing BAT.Brave Rewards in 2026: what to know
According to Brave's Rewards page (October 2026), Brave blocks ads and trackers on web pages by default. If you opt in to Brave Ads, such as new tab page images or notification ads, you earn BAT. Brave says ad matching happens on your device, so your browsing data is not sent to its servers.
To receive earnings, you must connect a payout account to your Brave Rewards profile, either from one of Brave's custodial partners or your own crypto account, and support varies by region. Brave Rewards is available on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. On iOS, it can only be used to support creators.
BAT is an ERC-20 token on Ethereum that has been bridged to other networks; Brave notes that some Rewards payouts are made in bridged BAT on Solana. Brave Wallet is a separate feature: a self-custody Web3 wallet where you can hold and use BAT you withdraw.
- Click the BAT icon in the address bar to turn on Rewards.
- Choose the ad formats you are happy to see, and how often.
- Connect a payout account to receive BAT.
- Withdraw to a wallet you control if you want to hold BAT yourself.
What you can do with BAT, and how to handle it
Brave says BAT can be exchanged for other crypto and fiat currencies, contributed to registered websites and creators, used for a .brave domain, and stored or swapped like any other token in a crypto wallet. For eligible ads, Brave says users earn a share of ad revenue greater than or equal to Brave's share.
Brave Rewards earnings go to the payout account you connect. You can then withdraw BAT to a Web3 address you own, for example in Brave Wallet or a hardware wallet. In the team's July 2026 wallet setup session, they explained that moving tokens between your own wallets is generally not a sale for tax purposes, though the network fee is still worth recording, and that connecting your wallets to crypto tax software keeps records simple.
Earned BAT is generally treated as income in Australia at its value when received. Keep a record of each payout, and speak to a registered tax agent about your situation.
How Collective Shift looks at reward tokens
Collective Shift's research approach separates a useful product from a good investment. A browser that pays you in tokens can be a handy way to receive a small amount of crypto, but the token's value depends on its own economics and real demand.
In the October 2026 cohort's Week 2 session, the team put it simply: a token's advertised utility only matters if people actually use it. That is a useful test for any reward token, BAT included.
- Treat earned BAT as a small bonus, not income to rely on.
- Check payout account support for Australia before you start.
- Earned tokens may have tax implications; keep records.
“Utility without usage is worthless.”
Collective Shift team, live cohort Week 2 session Get Set Up: Exchange, Money In, DCA On (October 2026)
Where this guide comes from
This guide is written and reviewed by the Collective Shift research team. Collective Shift is a crypto research and education company founded in 2020 in Melbourne, and a research and education partner to Coinbase, Swyftx and CoinSpot. Sources used in this update:
- Collective Shift Knowledge Hub: (Oct Cohort Week 2) Get Set Up: Exchange, Money In, DCA On (13 Oct 2026) (ref bd2b5f95)
- Collective Shift Knowledge Hub: Foundation session: MetaMask wallet setup (14 Jul 2026) (ref c208d12b)
- Collective Shift Knowledge Hub: (Oct Cohort Week 3) Lock It Down: Your Wallet and Security Checklist (20 Oct 2026) (ref 13229958)
- Official documentation: Brave: What is Brave Rewards? (Oct 2026)
Last updated 30 October 2026. General information only, not financial advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Brave Rewards in Australia?
Brave says its ads run in many countries and that payout account support varies by region. Check which payout options are available to you in Brave Rewards settings.
Is Brave Rewards available on iPhone?
On iOS, Brave Rewards can only be used to support creators. Earning BAT from Brave Ads is available on desktop and Android.
What is the difference between Brave Rewards and Brave Wallet?
Brave Rewards pays you BAT for viewing Brave Ads and lets you support creators. Brave Wallet is a separate self-custody wallet for holding, sending and swapping crypto.
Is BAT I earn from Brave Rewards taxable in Australia?
Generally, crypto received as a reward is treated as ordinary income at its value when you receive it. Keep records of each payout and get advice from a registered tax agent.