What Is the BSC Testnet and How to Get Testnet BNB From Faucets

What Is Testnet BNB (tBNB)?

Testnet BNB is needed to test applications on the BSC testnet before they are deployed on the mainnet. You can claim testnet BNB through official BNB Smart Chain faucets, or through other partner faucets like Quicknode and Coinbase. You can also use testnet BNB to accomplish tasks for the opBNB airdrop. 

Key Takeaways

• BSC testnet tokens can only be used on BSC testnets. Testnets are risk-free testing environments that function similarly to the main network for developers and users to test new applications or network features without the risk of losses. 

• Testnet tokens are meant to have no direct financial value; they are not meant for sale and cannot be used on the main network.

• You can claim testnet BNB through the BNB Smart Chain Faucet, Quicknode BNB Testnet Faucet, Coinbase BNB Faucet, or the official BNB Discord Faucet.  

• You can use tBNB to complete tasks for a share of the opBNB prize pool.

Are you looking to test new BSC applications before they are launched on the mainnet? Testnet tokens are your gateway to testing new upcoming applications. Thanks to incentivized testnet programs like BNB's opBNB, blockchain enthusiasts are keen on trying out new decentralized applications prior to their launch to win a share of the airdrop. Let’s explore some faucets that offer testnet tokens for the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) test network.

Claim Testnet BNB on the BNB Smart Chain Faucet

The official BSC faucet offers up to 0.1 BNB per claim. Users can also claim other BSC testnet tokens like BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, and more. To use the official BSC BNB faucet;

Step 1: Visit the official BNB faucet.

Step 2: Complete the CAPTCHA verification to proceed

Step 3: Enter your wallet address in the input box, Click Give me BNB, and select 0.1 BNB.

To receive other testnet tokens, click Peggy Tokens and select the token you wish to receive.

Step 4: Your selected token and the indicated amount will be sent to your wallet.

Claim Testnet BNB on the Quicknode BSC BNB Testnet Faucet

Quicknode offers faucet service for multiple networks, including the BNB Smart Chain and other networks such as Sepolia and Goerli. Note that you must hold at least 0.001 ETH on the Ethereum network to use any of the Quicknode faucets for EVM networks.

To claim testnet tokens from Quicknode;

Step 1: Visit the Quicknode faucet.

Step 2: Connect your wallet to the platform – connecting to the platform autofills your wallet address in the designated input box. You can change this to another address of your choice.

Step 3: Click Select Your Chain and select Binance Smart Chain.

Click Select Your Network, and select BNB testnet.

Step 4: Confirm your wallet address and click Continue to proceed.

You can share a tweet about your claim and receive up to 0.25 or proceed without sharing and receive 0.05 tBNB.

Step 5: Receive testnet BNB

Claim Testnet BNB on the Coinbase BSC BNB Faucet

The Coinbase faucet offers up to 0.25 testnet BNB daily to users. However, you must have a Coinbase wallet. If you wish to use the faucet but have yet to set up a Coinbase wallet, proceed to install the wallet and set up your account to claim.

Step 1: Visit the Coinbase BSC BNB faucet.

Step 2: Click Connect with Coinbase Wallet.

Your wallet address is automatically filled.

Step 3: Click Request BNB to claim 0.25BNB from the faucet.

Claim Testnet BNB on the BNB Discord Faucet

You can also claim some testnet BNB from the official BNB Chain Discord channel. To use this option

Step 1: Join the BNB Chain Discord.

Step 2: Go to the #testnet-faucet2 channel.

Step 3: Enter the following command /faucet {your wallet address}

Step 4: Send to complete, and testnet BNB will be sent to the provided wallet.

What Is the BSC Testnet?

The BNB Smart Chain supports smart contracts and decentralized applications. Smart contracts define how Web3 applications function, and these contracts and the applications they power need to be tested by users and developers before deployment on the BSC mainnet. Likewise, new updates to the BSC network need to undergo testing before they can be deployed on the main network to ensure that the launch goes smoothly. Once a protocol is deployed on the mainnet, it will require the use of real tokens with monetary value, which could result in financial losses from users and developers.

The BSC testnet was developed for conditions like these. The BSC testnet is a playground for users and developers to test out applications without the risk of losing their funds. It functions like the BSC mainnet – like the mainnet, it runs on the Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, where project team members play the role of validators. 

However, it features test tokens instead of real tokens with monetary value. As these test tokens can be obtained for free from faucets, developers and users can freely experiment with new applications without worrying about potential losses. 

What Can Testnet BNB (tBNB) Be Used For?

Now that you have claimed some testnet BNB and other BSC testnet tokens, here are what you can use your new ‘assets’ for:

As a developer, you can test out your new applications using the testnet token before and after opening the testing program to the larger public. You can also assist the testers with testnet tokens to facilitate the program. As a validator on the main network, you can also test how new features on the network could affect your node and how to use the new updates as they concern you as a validator.

For users, tBNB functions like BNB. tBNB can be used to test new applications and engage in incentivized testnet programs, where users can run a series of transactions on the application in exchange for rewards, as seen in the below list of additional tasks for the opBNB airdrop. Users can also test new BSC network updates, or to familiarize themselves with the BNB Smart Chain, like sending and receiving crypto assets and adding networks to MetaMask before transacting on the mainnet. 

Using Testnet BNB for the opBNB Airdrop

As part of the opBNB launch, the team has launched a campaign with a $50,000 airdrop. With tBNB, users can complete additional tasks, which include:

1. Depositing tBNB from the BSC testnet to the opBNB testnet

2. Withdrawing tBNB from the opBNB testnet to the BSC testnet

3. Deposit BEP-20 tokens (BUSD, BTCB, ETH, USDT, USDC and DAI) from the BSC testnet to the opBNB testnet — these can be claimed from the official testnet BNB faucet. 

4. Withdraw BEP-20 tokens from the opBNB testnet to the BSC testnet. 

5. Transfer tBNB to addresses on the opBNB testnet.

Adding BSC Testnet to MetaMask

To use the BSC testnet, you will have to add the network to your MetaMask or any other web3 wallet.

We will assume that you already have the MetaMask wallet installed and set up. Otherwise, click here to download and install a wallet for your device.

Add BSC Testnet Manually

Step 1: From your MetaMask wallet dashboard, click the network icon from the top left corner of your wallet. Click Add network.

Step 2: This brings up a list of pre-set networks, but to add the BNB Smart Chain testnet, click on Add a network manually.

Step 3: Enter the network details accordingly on the form that pops up.

• Network Name: BSC Testnet
• New RPC URL: https://data-seed-prebsc-1-s1.binance.org:8545
• ChainID: 97
• Symbol: BNB 
• Block Explorer URL: https://explorer.binance.org/smart-testnet

Step 4: Click Save to complete.

To use the BSC testnet, you can switch to it by clicking the network dropdown from the top left corner of your screen and selecting BSC testnet from available networks.

Adding BSC Testnet via Chainlist 

You can also add the network to your MetaMask via Chainlist. Chainlist collates active EVM testnet and main networks and lets users add their favorite networks in a few clicks. Here’s how you can add the BSC testnet using the platform.

Step1: Visit the Chainlist platform.

Step 2: Connect your wallet to the platform and check the Include Testnets box to feature test networks in your search.

Step 3: Enter ‘BNB smart chain testnet’ in the search bar at the top of the page. As seen above, 97 is the BSC testnet ChainID. Click Add to MetaMask on the search results with the correct ID.

Follow the prompts in your wallet to add the network to your wallet.

You can now switch to the BSC testnet.

Learn how to add BSC to MetaMask and opBNB to MetaMask.

Final Thoughts

We have gone through a few faucets for BSC testnet tokens. There are likely a handful of them we didn’t feature in this article. However, these are enough to get most users started. While using other faucets, ensure that they are legitimate, as foul players target users through fake faucets. Testnet tokens are your ticket to application testing programs; some of these could be incentivized. As a testnet token holder and participant in the testing program, you play a role in ensuring that the official version of applications are devoid of fatal bugs and security issues.

Having said this, it is important to understand that testnet tokens are meant for testing purposes only and are not designed to hold any value. This article doesn’t endorse claiming and hoarding testnet tokens with the aim of benefiting from them financially. Also, note that this article is only for educational purposes and not financial advice. 

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Joel Agbo

Joel is deeply interested in the technologies behind cryptocurrencies and blockchain networks. In his over 7 years of involvement in the space, he helps startups build a stronger internet presence through written content. Follow the author on Twitter @agboifesinachi