> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.payreque.st/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Crypto Recurring Payments

> Use USDC on Base for subscription billing — customers pay each invoice manually from their crypto wallet

# Crypto Recurring Payments

Subscriptions can now be paid with **USDC on the Base network**. When a subscription uses crypto as its payment method, an invoice is generated each billing cycle and the customer pays it from their own crypto wallet — directly to your wallet, with no intermediary holding the funds.

<Info>
  This is an **invoice-based recurring flow**, not a mandate-based automatic charge. The customer receives an invoice each period and pays it manually with USDC. Crypto subscriptions use the same [FeeSplitting smart contract](/payment-processing/crypto-payments#how-the-feesplitting-contract-works) — 98% goes straight to your wallet, 2% covers the platform fee.
</Info>

## Why Use Crypto for Subscriptions

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="No chargebacks" icon="shield-check">
    USDC payments are irreversible once confirmed on-chain. No disputes, no chargeback fees, no refund fraud — even for recurring billing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Worldwide reach" icon="globe">
    Crypto works everywhere. No country restrictions, no currency conversion. Anyone with USDC on Base can subscribe — even without a bank account or credit card.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Funds go directly to you" icon="wallet">
    The smart contract sends 98% directly to your wallet in the same on-chain transaction. PayRequest never holds your subscription revenue.
  </Card>

  <Card title="No mandate needed" icon="building-columns">
    SEPA mandates or credit card tokens aren't required. Your customer just needs a wallet with USDC on Base — no banking relationship necessary.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How It Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create or edit a subscription">
    When creating or editing a subscription, set the payment method to **Crypto (USDC)**. If the customer doesn't have a crypto payment preference yet, you can switch an existing subscription to crypto anytime.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invoices are generated each billing cycle">
    On each billing date, PayRequest creates an invoice with the subscription amount and sends it to the customer. The invoice includes a **Pay with Crypto** option — just like a one-time payment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customer pays with USDC">
    The customer opens the invoice link, selects **Pay with Crypto**, scans the WalletConnect QR code with their wallet app, and confirms the USDC amount. The transaction is signed and sent to the Base network.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Funds arrive in your wallet instantly">
    The FeeSplitting contract splits the payment atomically: 98% goes directly to your wallet, 2% to PayRequest — all in one on-chain transaction. Base confirms it in under a second. The invoice is marked as paid automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **No action needed from you.** The entire payment flow — from invoice generation to on-chain confirmation — happens automatically. You'll see the payment reflected in your dashboard and your wallet balance within seconds.
</Tip>

## Setting Up Crypto for a Subscription

### New Subscriptions

1. Create or edit the product and ensure **Crypto (USDC)** is enabled in your [Provider Settings](/payment-processing/crypto-payments#connect-your-wallet)
2. When creating a subscription for a customer, select **Crypto (USDC)** as the payment method
3. Complete the subscription creation — the customer will receive an invoice at the next billing date with a crypto payment option

### Existing Subscriptions

1. Open the subscription detail page
2. Click **Change** next to the current payment method
3. Select **Crypto (USDC)** from the payment method options
4. Save — the next billing cycle will generate a crypto-payable invoice

<Info>
  Switching to crypto doesn't affect the current billing period. The change takes effect from the next billing date. Any pending mandate on the subscription stays on file but won't be charged.
</Info>

## Customer Experience

Your customers don't need a bank account or SEPA mandate — just a wallet with USDC on Base. Here's what they see:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Invoice with crypto option" icon="file-invoice">
    The invoice email includes a **Pay with Crypto** button alongside any other active payment methods.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Scan with their wallet" icon="qr-code">
    A WalletConnect QR code appears on the invoice payment page. Customers scan it with MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or any WalletConnect-compatible wallet.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Confirm in their wallet" icon="check-circle">
    The exact USDC amount is shown. The customer reviews and confirms the transaction in their wallet. Gas fee is minimal (under \$0.01 on Base).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Instant confirmation" icon="clock">
    Base confirms the transaction in under 1 second. The invoice updates to paid automatically. The next billing date is calculated normally.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## When to Use Crypto for Subscriptions

### Good Fit For

* **International customers** who don't have access to SEPA or iDEAL
* **Privacy-conscious customers** who prefer not to share bank details
* **High-value subscriptions** where chargeback protection matters
* **Digital products and services** with a tech-savvy customer base
* **Customers without a bank account** or credit card

### Less Suitable For

* **Fully automatic billing** — crypto is invoice-based (customer must manually pay each period)
* **Very small amounts** (under \~€5) — the Base gas fee, while minimal, may feel noticeable relative to the invoice total
* **Non-crypto-native customers** who may find wallet setup unfamiliar

## Switching Between Crypto and Other Methods

You can switch a subscription between crypto and other payment methods at any time:

* **Crypto → Automatic (Mandate):** Switch to a SEPA or credit card mandate for hands-off billing
* **Crypto → Manual (Bank Transfer):** Send invoices that customers pay via regular bank transfer
* **Automatic → Crypto:** Switch to crypto when a mandate expires or the customer prefers wallet payments

<Note>
  Switching methods doesn't delete the previous payment configuration. A saved mandate remains on file even when crypto is active, so you can switch back seamlessly.
</Note>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Is crypto fully automatic like a SEPA mandate?">
    No — crypto payments are **invoice-based**, not mandate-based. Each billing cycle generates an invoice that the customer pays manually from their wallet. This is similar to how manual bank transfer subscriptions work, but with instant on-chain settlement instead of 1–3 day bank delays.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the customer need a crypto wallet?">
    Yes. The customer needs a WalletConnect-compatible wallet with USDC on the Base network. Popular options include MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, and Rabby. See the [supported wallets guide](/payment-processing/crypto-supported-wallets) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use crypto for the trial-to-paid conversion?">
    Yes. If a product has a free trial and the subscription uses crypto as payment method, the trial works normally. When the trial ends, an invoice is generated that the customer can pay with USDC.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if the customer doesn't pay the crypto invoice?">
    The invoice remains unpaid. PayRequest handles unpaid invoice management the same way as any other payment method — you can send reminders, apply late fees, or suspend the subscription based on your business rules.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Are there additional fees for crypto subscriptions?">
    No extra fees. The same 2% platform fee applies to each crypto payment, enforced on-chain by the FeeSplitting contract. There are no monthly minimums, no statement fees, and no chargeback fees.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can the customer set up a recurring automatic payment from their wallet?">
    Not currently. Each billing cycle requires the customer to approve and sign a new transaction. Most wallets don't support recurring automated transactions. If fully automatic billing is essential, use SEPA Direct Debit or credit card mandates instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if the USDC amount changes between invoice and payment?">
    The invoice shows a fixed USDC amount (converted from EUR at the time of invoice creation). The payment page locks this amount — the customer must pay exactly the invoiced USDC amount. Any exchange rate fluctuation between invoice creation and payment doesn't affect the total.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I mix crypto and other payment methods across subscriptions?">
    Yes! Each subscription has its own payment method setting. A customer could have one subscription on automatic SEPA, another on crypto, and a third on manual bank transfer — all at the same time.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related Documentation

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Crypto Payments (USDC)" icon="coins" href="/payment-processing/crypto-payments">
    Full guide to USDC payments on Base — wallet setup, smart contract details, and supported wallets.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Payment Methods for Subscriptions" icon="credit-card" href="/subscriptions/payment-methods">
    Overview of all subscription payment methods — automatic, manual, and crypto.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Subscription Lifecycle" icon="arrows-repeat" href="/subscriptions/subscription-lifecycle">
    How subscriptions work from creation to cancellation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Supported Wallets" icon="wallet" href="/payment-processing/crypto-supported-wallets">
    Which wallets work with PayRequest's crypto payment system.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>