USPS increased its shipping prices on July 13*. As a result, Mercari's prepaid USPS label rates will rise by 2% on average starting July 28, 2025—still well below the carrier's published increases, including a 7.1% hike for USPS retail rates for Ground Advantage®. View the updated rates here.
Want to save more? Our new Best rate labels can lower your shipping costs even more when your package meets size limits.
The good news:
Starting July 28: Save more with Best rate labels. Add package dimension info when you list to unlock lower Best rate pricing — an average of 6% cheaper than our current standard rates.
If your package meets size limits (1 cu ft / 22″ longest side), Best rates apply. If it's larger, standard rates apply, and we'll price by dimensional weight for a more accurate label. See how it works here.
Fashion ships for less. Our new $7.97 flat rate — up to 5 lb when size limits are met — gives sellers one of the most competitive options for shipping fashion items.
Mercari still beats retail rates. Mercari prepaid labels still offer an average of 40% savings** compared to retail carrier rates. Plus, every label offers up to $200 in Shipping Protection and $20 for First-Class Envelope.
Key dates
July 28, 2025 — New rates apply to all new (or edited) listings.
August 22, 2025 — Existing listings update automatically (no action needed).
Tips to avoid extra fees
Enter your package dimensions to unlock Best rate pricing and help selecting the correct label.
Stay within label limits — if your package is too heavy or too large for the selected label, Mercari will adjust the fee after shipping based on size and weight differential provided by the carrier.
Affordable, predictable shipping helps everyone sell more. Thanks for being part of the Mercari community!
†Example based on July 2025 5lb label rates using item meeting size requirements.
**Fees and rates are based on a comparison to the retail prices and surcharges for standard and economy shipments of our carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx) for items between 0.25 lb — 100 lbs. Comparison completed June 25, 2025.
DeFi is an ocean of opportunities, but also a minefield of risks. If you're entering this space with only $1,000 and limited time, the worst thing you can do is gamble it all on speculative tokens. Instead, what you need is a deliberate, strategic approach that maximizes learning, minimizes exposure, and sets you up for long-term success.
This article outlines a practical DeFi plan tailored to those with small capital and tight schedules. You'll discover low-risk strategies, smart airdrop farming, effective liquidity provision, and how to earn passive income with minimal active management — all while building exposure to future opportunities.
Step 1: Start Slow — Your First Rule
If $1,000 is all you can allocate, then it's precious. Don't rush. The first priority is to learn how DeFi works using small amounts — think $10 or $20 — before committing real capital.
Key points:
Spend time testing wallets, bridges, swaps, and networks.
Track protocols that offer airdrop points for usage.
Join community Discords, follow dev teams, and read whitepapers.
"Speed is irrelevant if you're going in the wrong direction."
Step 2: Explore the DeFi Toolbox
Here are the core strategies available in DeFi today:
Lending Platforms (Low Risk)
Supply stablecoins and earn interest.
Optional: Borrow against your collateral and re-deposit (looping).
Delta-Neutral Strategies (Medium Risk)
Long and short the same asset across two platforms.
Capture funding rate spreads while avoiding market exposure.
Semi-Delta Neutral (Medium-High Risk)
Slight market exposure with added rewards potential.
Liquidity Pools (Variable Risk)
Provide tokens to trading pools and earn fees.
Use full-range LPs (passive) or concentrated LPs (active).
Strategy Spectrum by Risk/Time:
Step 3: Delta-Neutral Yield + Airdrop Farming
Earn APR now + a potential future airdrop — the holy grail of DeFi.
Open mirrored positions across two perpetual DEXes:
SHORT on one DEX (e.g., Hyperliquid)
LONG on another DEX (e.g., Lighter)
Example:
Asset: SUI
Hyperliquid: SHORT, earning 10.95% APR
Lighter: LONG, earning -32% APR (you get paid)
Both positions should be set with:
Matching amounts (e.g., $250 each)
Matching Stop Loss and Take Profit (inverted)
Bonus:
You earn points on Lighter (confirmed airdrop) and potentially on Hyperliquid (based on past behavior).
Pro tip: Maintain positions open longer to maximize airdrop points. It's not just about volume.
Time commitment: ~10–15 minutes/day
Step 4: Add Liquidity to Blue Chip Pools with Airdrop Potential
Use concentrated liquidity (Uniswap V3-style) on promising DEXs:
Example: Momentum DEX on SUI network
Pool: SUI/USDC
APR: Up to 100%
Multiplier: x2 points for upcoming airdrop
Why this works:
SUI is a top-15 token ("blue chip")
Less volatility than meme coins
Good APR + future airdrop potential
State Diagram — Risk & Reward
Step 5: Optional High-Risk High-Reward LP
Allocate the last $250 to a low-cap token LP on a growing L2 (e.g., Base):
Project: Real utility (not meme)
APR: Up to 1,000%
Token: Small cap (~$5M market cap)
This is NOT for everyone.
Expect volatility, impermanent loss, and wild swings. But if chosen wisely, these LPs can deliver outsized short-term returns.
Suggested Portfolio Breakdown
Portfolio Stats:
75% of capital in stablecoin pairs
25% exposed to token volatility (blue chip + speculative)
Balanced between current income and future potential
Tips for Success
Use stop-loss and take-profit to avoid surprises.
Track APR and adjust positions weekly.
Don't just chase airdrops — chase value.
Log everything: deposits, returns, and performance.
Where to Start
Here are some platforms and resources worth checking:
Keep an eye on whitelisted beta invites, as access may be limited!
Final Thoughts
If you're new to DeFi with limited funds and time, you don't need to gamble to grow. The key lies in combining yield generation with airdrop hunting, all while keeping most of your capital in stable, manageable positions.
In under 3 hours per week, you can:
Earn double-digit APRs on stablecoins
Accumulate potential airdrops
Learn how DeFi really works
Stay disciplined, track everything, and iterate. Remember: DeFi rewards the curious, the early, and the consistent.
What's Your Move?
Would you tweak the allocations? Know another DEX with strong airdrop potential? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let's build smarter together.
DeFi is an ocean of opportunities, but also a minefield of risks. If you're entering this space with only $1,000 and limited time, the worst thing you can do is gamble it all on speculative tokens. Instead, what you need is a deliberate, strategic approach that maximizes learning, minimizes exposure, and sets you up for long-term success.
This article outlines a practical DeFi plan tailored to those with small capital and tight schedules. You'll discover low-risk strategies, smart airdrop farming, effective liquidity provision, and how to earn passive income with minimal active management — all while building exposure to future opportunities.
Step 1: Start Slow — Your First Rule
If $1,000 is all you can allocate, then it's precious. Don't rush. The first priority is to learn how DeFi works using small amounts — think $10 or $20 — before committing real capital.
Key points:
Spend time testing wallets, bridges, swaps, and networks.
Track protocols that offer airdrop points for usage.
Join community Discords, follow dev teams, and read whitepapers.
"Speed is irrelevant if you're going in the wrong direction."
Step 2: Explore the DeFi Toolbox
Here are the core strategies available in DeFi today:
Lending Platforms (Low Risk)
Supply stablecoins and earn interest.
Optional: Borrow against your collateral and re-deposit (looping).
Delta-Neutral Strategies (Medium Risk)
Long and short the same asset across two platforms.
Capture funding rate spreads while avoiding market exposure.
Semi-Delta Neutral (Medium-High Risk)
Slight market exposure with added rewards potential.
Liquidity Pools (Variable Risk)
Provide tokens to trading pools and earn fees.
Use full-range LPs (passive) or concentrated LPs (active).
Strategy Spectrum by Risk/Time:
Step 3: Delta-Neutral Yield + Airdrop Farming
Earn APR now + a potential future airdrop — the holy grail of DeFi.
Open mirrored positions across two perpetual DEXes:
SHORT on one DEX (e.g., Hyperliquid)
LONG on another DEX (e.g., Lighter)
Example:
Asset: SUI
Hyperliquid: SHORT, earning 10.95% APR
Lighter: LONG, earning -32% APR (you get paid)
Both positions should be set with:
Matching amounts (e.g., $250 each)
Matching Stop Loss and Take Profit (inverted)
Bonus:
You earn points on Lighter (confirmed airdrop) and potentially on Hyperliquid (based on past behavior).
Pro tip: Maintain positions open longer to maximize airdrop points. It's not just about volume.
Time commitment: ~10–15 minutes/day
Step 4: Add Liquidity to Blue Chip Pools with Airdrop Potential
Use concentrated liquidity (Uniswap V3-style) on promising DEXs:
Example: Momentum DEX on SUI network
Pool: SUI/USDC
APR: Up to 100%
Multiplier: x2 points for upcoming airdrop
Why this works:
SUI is a top-15 token ("blue chip")
Less volatility than meme coins
Good APR + future airdrop potential
State Diagram — Risk & Reward
Step 5: Optional High-Risk High-Reward LP
Allocate the last $250 to a low-cap token LP on a growing L2 (e.g., Base):
Project: Real utility (not meme)
APR: Up to 1,000%
Token: Small cap (~$5M market cap)
This is NOT for everyone.
Expect volatility, impermanent loss, and wild swings. But if chosen wisely, these LPs can deliver outsized short-term returns.
Suggested Portfolio Breakdown
Portfolio Stats:
75% of capital in stablecoin pairs
25% exposed to token volatility (blue chip + speculative)
Balanced between current income and future potential
Tips for Success
Use stop-loss and take-profit to avoid surprises.
Track APR and adjust positions weekly.
Don't just chase airdrops — chase value.
Log everything: deposits, returns, and performance.
Where to Start
Here are some platforms and resources worth checking:
Keep an eye on whitelisted beta invites, as access may be limited!
Final Thoughts
If you're new to DeFi with limited funds and time, you don't need to gamble to grow. The key lies in combining yield generation with airdrop hunting, all while keeping most of your capital in stable, manageable positions.
In under 3 hours per week, you can:
Earn double-digit APRs on stablecoins
Accumulate potential airdrops
Learn how DeFi really works
Stay disciplined, track everything, and iterate. Remember: DeFi rewards the curious, the early, and the consistent.
What's Your Move?
Would you tweak the allocations? Know another DEX with strong airdrop potential? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let's build smarter together.