Yeah, the rewards are usually slim nowadays, however, there are still possibilities to try something out, especially if analysis is done beforehand and the risks are not that big (or it may seem like it
). Nevertheless, it's an experience, which is invaluable.
Joining the waitlist carries no risk at all, but we never know what software we might be asked to download and install in order to mine the token. Who can say for sure whether that software will be secure? However, if a project is being closely watched by a large number of people, we may occasionally hear rumors about it from within, such as phishing attempts.
If we are not jeopardizing our finances and assets, we need to acquire this experience in addition to worrying about bugs and back doors in the code. If the task for some early rewards is difficult, then fewer people will be participating, and participants will be rewarded more.