How to Prepare for USDC Testing

This guide explains how to prepare a wallet for USDC testing with Bead.

Bead Sandbox crypto payments use live blockchain networks. This means USDC testing in Sandbox requires real USDC on a supported live network and the real network fee token needed by the payer’s wallet.

Do not use Ethereum Sepolia, faucet USDC, or other testnet tokens for current Bead Sandbox USDC testing.

For USDC on Base and USDC on Solana, the minimum Bead payment amount is $1.00 USD. This minimum is separate from any live-network fee the payer’s wallet may require to submit the transaction.

1. Choose a USDC network

Bead supports USDC testing on live networks.

Network	Payment asset	Fee token	Notes
Base	USDC on Base	ETH on Base	Recommended for most USDC testing because fees are low and transaction times are fast.
Solana	USDC on Solana	SOL on Solana	Also well suited for testing because fees are low and transactions are fast.

For most first-time USDC tests, start with USDC on Base unless your integration specifically needs to validate Solana.

2. Install a compatible wallet

Use a wallet that can hold USDC on the network you plan to test and can scan the QR code shown on the Bead hosted payment page.

Common options:

• Phantom for USDC on Base and USDC on Solana

• Base app, formerly Coinbase Wallet, for USDC on Base

• MetaMask for USDC on Base

• Trust Wallet for USDC on Base

• Solflare for USDC on Solana

When setting up a wallet:

• Create a secure password

• Record and safely store your Secret Recovery Phrase

• Do not share your Secret Recovery Phrase with anyone

• Keep only small test balances in the wallet

If you lose your Secret Recovery Phrase, you may permanently lose access to any funds in the wallet.

3. Add or select the correct network

Before funding the wallet, confirm the wallet is showing the network you plan to test.

For USDC on Base:

• Select or add the Base network in your wallet

• Confirm you are not viewing Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, or another network by mistake

• Confirm the wallet can show USDC on Base

For USDC on Solana:

• Select the Solana network in your wallet

• Confirm the wallet can show USDC on Solana

USDC exists on multiple networks. USDC on Base and USDC on Solana are not interchangeable for a payment. The network in the wallet must match the network shown on the Bead hosted payment page.

4. Acquire USDC for the payment amount

Acquire a small amount of USDC on the same live network you plan to test.

You can usually do this in one of two ways:

• Buy USDC directly in a wallet app using the wallet’s purchase flow

• Buy or hold USDC on an exchange, then withdraw it to your self-custody wallet on the correct network

For USDC on Base:

• Make sure the token is USDC on Base

• Send or buy only a small amount needed for testing

For USDC on Solana:

• Make sure the token is USDC on Solana

• Send or buy only a small amount needed for testing

For USDC on Base and USDC on Solana, create Bead test payments of at least $1.00 USD.

Wallet apps, exchanges, and on-ramp providers may have their own minimum purchase amounts or fees. Those limits are separate from the Bead payment minimum.

5. Acquire the network fee token

The payer wallet needs the correct fee token to submit the transaction.

Testing network	Fee token needed
USDC on Base	ETH on Base
USDC on Solana	SOL on Solana

The fee token must be on the same network as the USDC payment asset.

Examples:

• If testing USDC on Base, the wallet needs USDC on Base for the payment amount and ETH on Base for network fees.

• If testing USDC on Solana, the wallet needs USDC on Solana for the payment amount and SOL on Solana for network fees.

Common ways to acquire fee tokens:

• Buy a small amount of the fee token directly in the wallet

• Convert or swap a small portion of USDC into the fee token inside the wallet

• Withdraw the fee token from an exchange to the same wallet and network

Fee amounts vary by network conditions and wallet behavior. Review the fee shown in the wallet before sending.

6. Confirm the wallet is ready

Before creating a test payment, confirm:

• The wallet holds USDC on the network you plan to test

• The wallet holds the correct fee token on that same network

• The wallet can scan QR codes or copy payment addresses from the hosted payment page

• The wallet is not using testnet mode

• The test payment amount is at least $1.00 USD for USDC on Base or USDC on Solana

7. Create and complete a USDC test payment

1. Create a payment through the Payments API.

2. For USDC on Base or USDC on Solana, use requestedAmount of 1.00 or higher.

3. Open the hosted payment URL returned by the API.

4. Select the USDC tender you want to test.

5. Confirm the hosted page shows the same network as your wallet.

6. In the wallet, scan the QR code from the hosted payment page.

7. Enter the exact payment amount shown on the hosted page.

8. Review the network, destination, amount, and fee in the wallet.

9. Submit the payment.

10. Confirm the final payment status through webhooks, the status API, or the portal.

Do not send funds to a recently used address from your wallet history. Always scan or copy the address shown on the current Bead hosted payment page. Bead uses payment-specific addresses and instructions.

Troubleshooting

Issue	What to check
Wallet cannot send the payment	Confirm the wallet has the correct fee token, such as ETH on Base or SOL on Solana.
Wallet shows USDC but hosted page uses a different network	Confirm the wallet network matches the hosted payment page network. USDC on Base and USDC on Solana are different assets for payment purposes.
Payment creation fails for a small amount	For USDC on Base and USDC on Solana, confirm the Bead payment amount is at least $1.00 USD.
Wallet balance came from a testnet faucet	Do not use testnet tokens. Bead Sandbox crypto payments use live networks.
Payment stays pending or expires	Confirm the wallet submitted the transaction on the correct network, for the exact amount, before the payment window expired.
Payment is underpaid or overpaid	Compare the requested amount on the hosted payment page with the amount actually sent from the wallet.

Next steps

After your wallet is funded and ready:

• Use Quick Start to create your first hosted payment

• Use Test Crypto Transactions for a step-by-step USDC payment walkthrough

• Use Compatible Crypto Wallets to confirm wallet and tender support

• Use Crypto Testing and Fees to estimate fee-token needs and understand common testing cost considerations