Florida-based investor Yurii Ovsii recently found himself at the center of an unexpected story within the global crypto community. After entering and later refunding his participation in a CoinTerminal token presale, he was surprised to learn that he had still won the platform’s monthly $10,000 prize.

CoinTerminal hosts a monthly initiative that rewards its users, structured as a free-entry draw that celebrates community engagement rather than chance. Every user who participates in a CoinTerminal sale is automatically entered, and even those who later claim a refund remain eligible for the monthly prize. There are no entry fees, and participation is open to anyone who contributes $250 or more to a CoinTerminal sale.

Ovsii, a 44-year-old Ukrainian who fled his war-torn homeland and now resides in Florida, is the latest lucky candidate to experience this process firsthand and claim the prize. He joined CoinTerminal to gain early access to blockchain startups through presales. His entry came during the Project Merlin launch, where he invested $14,000. When Binance canceled its alpha listing plans for Merlin, CoinTerminal became one of the few platforms to offer full refund rights to every participant. Ovsii exercised that option, recovered his funds, and moved on. But then he was contacted weeks later with news that he had won the $10,000 draw.

“I couldn’t believe it when CoinTerminal contacted me to let me know that I had won the monthly lottery, I thought that I was dreaming,” said Ovsii. “I am going to use this money to enter more launches at CoinTerminal and most importantly, to pay for a holiday in order to spend some quality time with my family. I feel so blessed to have won this lottery even though I had refunded my entry.”

Ovsii’s path to CoinTerminal began after he and his family relocated to the United States under the U4U program, following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. A DeFi enthusiast, he had been investing in early-stage blockchain startups through several online platforms. CoinTerminal caught his attention for its balance of access, fairness, and transparency, which have become increasingly important traits in a market that often rewards speed over caution.

Unlike traditional lotteries, CoinTerminal’s monthly draw carries no betting element. There is no cost to participate, no tickets to buy, and no wagers involved. Every CoinTerminal sale automatically serves as a free entry ticket, ensuring that users are rewarded simply for participating in the platform’s ecosystem. Winners are selected using verifiable random technology from Chainlink VRF, which guarantees fairness and full transparency. This combination of open participation and verifiable selection has become central to CoinTerminal’s reputation for integrity.

Behind the scenes, the program represents CoinTerminal’s broader philosophy of trust and user empowerment. The prize is funded through participation in CoinTerminal sales, and the company’s growing investor base, with more than 650,000 users, underscores its credibility as a launchpad built on accountability rather than speculation.

CoinTerminal has also distinguished itself as the industry’s only open-access launchpad that includes refund rights. Users can join presales with no token-staking requirements while maintaining a money-back guarantee if a project underperforms. That structure has helped the platform stand out in a market where transparency can often be overlooked.

Even users who choose to refund remain eligible for the monthly prize, which CoinTerminal describes as a gesture of appreciation for community participation. Each month, the prize totals up to $10,000, with the draw conducted in a fully transparent manner.

In Ovsii’s case, he was selected from among 1,200 participants during the draw held after the Merlin presale. The company publicly announced his win on its official channels, where it regularly shares updates on upcoming token launches and program milestones.

CoinTerminal’s leadership has said that the monthly draw reinforces its mission to reward participation.

“Our approach has helped CoinTerminal to build a loyal base of both retail and institutional participants who value flexibility, transparency, and the opportunity to engage early in blockchain innovation,” said Bisma Khan, the company’s CMO. 

For Ovsii, it also turned a refunded investment into an unexpected moment of good fortune.