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Test Crypto Transactions

While in Bead’s test environment, real crypto tokens must be used. This includes real USDC, BTC for Bitcoin on-chain, and BTC routed over Bitcoin Lightning.

Use this page for guidance on acquiring tokens for test payments, including fee tokens for blockchain or Lightning network fees, and for running an end-to-end test payment through the hosted payment page.

Quick Test - Bitcoin Lightning

For simple end-to-end testing, we recommend Bitcoin Lightning if enabled for your account. Lightning payments can be as low as $0.01, are near-instant, and have very low fees. This makes Lightning useful for validating payment creation, hosted payment page behavior, payment status updates, and webhooks.

For background on how wallets, networks, and fees work, see:

Test Payment Settlement

Test environment crypto payments are not settled back through normal settlement. Use small amounts when testing.

1

Install a Crypto Wallet App

Download a wallet or payment app that supports the tender and network you want to test.

Wallet Availability Varies

Wallet support, funding methods, minimums, and fees vary by provider and region. Always confirm that your selected wallet supports the asset and network shown on the Bead hosted payment page.

Bitcoin Lightning

Commonly used options include:

  1. Cash App for eligible U.S. testers

  2. Wallet of Satoshi for non-U.S. testers where available

  3. Strike, River, Coinbase, Phoenix, or Muun, depending on region and invoice support

USDC on Base or Solana

Commonly used options include:

  1. Phantom on Android or iOS

  2. Phantom browser extension for Chrome, Brave, Firefox, or Edge

  3. MetaMask, or Trust Wallet for Base and other EVM networks

Bitcoin On-Chain

Commonly used options include:

  1. Phantom on Android or iOS

  2. Phantom browser extension for Chrome, Brave, Firefox, or Edge

  3. Cash App, Strike, River, BlueWallet, or any wallet that can send BTC to an external Bitcoin address

2

Set Up Your Wallet

Set up your wallet or payment app before starting a test payment.

For self-custody wallets, such as Phantom, MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Phoenix, or Muun:

  1. Create a secure password.

  2. Record your Secret Recovery Phrase, if one is provided.

  3. Store the Secret Recovery Phrase securely.

Protect Your Recovery Phrase

If your wallet provides a Secret Recovery Phrase, this is usually the only way to recover your wallet if you move to a new device. If you lose your Secret Recovery Phrase, any funds in your wallet may be lost.

3

Purchase or Add Tokens

Bead does not provide wallet funding, on-ramp, or exchange services. Use the funding options available in your selected wallet, exchange, or payment app.

Most wallets and payment apps allow you to purchase or add funds through integrated service providers, subject to regional availability.

Bitcoin Lightning

Some apps allow you to pay a Lightning invoice from a cash balance (e.g. Cash App). Others require BTC to be held in the wallet first.

USDC on Base or Solana

Acquire USDC on the same network you intend to test:

  1. USDC on Base

  2. USDC on Solana

You will also need a small amount of the network’s fee token:

  1. ETH on Base when testing USDC on Base

  2. SOL on Solana when testing USDC on Solana

Base and Solana transactions are typically low cost, but the wallet still needs enough fee token to send the payment. Converting a small amount inside the wallet is often cheaper than buying a small amount directly, depending on the provider.

Solana Fee Balance

Solana wallets may require a minimum SOL balance to create or complete a transaction, even when the visible network fee is very small. We recommend you maintain at least $0.40 worth of SOL in the wallet.

For a Phantom setup example, see Phantom Wallet Setup Example at the bottom of this page.

Bitcoin On-Chain

Some apps allow you to create Bitcoin transactions from a cash balance (e.g. Cash App). Others require BTC to be held in the wallet first.

Some apps allow users to purchase BTC directly through integrated service providers. Others require BTC to be transferred into the wallet from an exchange or another wallet before sending.

Bitcoin on-chain fees are paid in BTC. Keep enough BTC in the wallet to cover both the payment amount and the network fee shown before confirmation.

4

Complete a Test Payment

Bitcoin Lightning Test Payment

  1. Create a payment in Bead’s test environment.

  2. From the Bead hosted payment page, select Bitcoin Lightning.

  3. Open your Lightning-capable wallet or payment app.

  4. Scan the QR code or paste the Lightning invoice.

  5. Confirm the amount and fee shown in your wallet.

  6. Send the payment.

  7. Wait for the hosted payment page and webhook status to update.

USDC Test Payment

  1. Create a payment of at least $1.00 through your test application/API.

  2. From the Bead hosted payment page, select USD Coin.

  3. Select the network you want to test, such as Base or Solana.

  4. Open your wallet and select USDC on the matching network.

  5. Scan the QR code or copy the payment address.

  6. Enter the payment amount shown on the hosted payment page.

  7. Confirm the recipient, network, amount, and fee.

  8. Send the payment.

Bitcoin On-Chain Test Payment

Bitcoin on-chain is supported, but it is not recommended for routine testing because transaction fees and confirmation times can vary.

Use Bitcoin on-chain when you specifically need to validate BTC network behavior.

  1. Create a payment in Bead’s test environment.

  2. From the Bead hosted payment page, select Bitcoin.

  3. Open a Bitcoin wallet that supports on-chain sends.

  4. Scan the QR code or copy the Bitcoin address.

  5. Confirm the amount, recipient, and network fee.

  6. Send the payment.

  7. Allow time for network confirmation and status updates.

Phantom Wallet Setup Example

Purchase Tokens in the Phantom Mobile App

The following example uses Phantom, focusing on USDC on Base. The same pattern applies to USDC on Solana, with the network set to Solana.

  1. Select the "Buy" button from the main app screen.

  2. Search for and select your token.

  3. For USDC on Base, select USDC on the Base network.

  4. Enter your desired purchase amount.

  5. USDC has a value of 1:1 with the U.S. Dollar.

  6. The minimum transaction size for USDC is $1.00.

  7. Purchase enough to cover the test payment amount and any fee-token conversion you need.

  8. Select the payment method/provider.

  9. Select "Continue" to proceed to the provider quote.

  10. Carefully review the network, fees, and exchange rate.

  11. Review and complete your payment.

  12. Wait for your tokens to arrive.

Always confirm that the token and network shown in your wallet match the network you intend to test before purchasing.

Convert Tokens (for Fee Tokens) in the Phantom Mobile App

The following example assumes you already have USDC in Phantom.

  1. From the home screen, select your existing token.

  2. Select "Swap" or "Sell", depending on the Phantom version and context.

  3. Enter the amount you wish to convert.

  4. Select ETH on Base when testing USDC on Base.

  5. Select SOL on Solana when testing USDC on Solana.

  6. Review the conversion fee.

  7. Confirm the conversion.

  8. Wait for your tokens to arrive.

Next Steps and Troubleshooting

If you run into issues while testing crypto payments, use the following pages:

PreviousReceipts
NextOnboarding

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