Lightning or on-chain? How to tell what a checkout actually accepts

Bitcoin can move in more than one way, and wallets don't always make it obvious which one you're using. Before you pay any invoice — ours or anyone else's — it's worth understanding the difference between on-chain and Lightning payments and how to confirm which one a checkout is asking for.

On-chain, in one paragraph

An on-chain payment is a normal Bitcoin transaction written to the blockchain. You send to an address (usually starting with bc1, 3 or 1). It needs block confirmations, the fee depends on how busy the network is, and the time to confirm varies. Check that both your wallet and the invoice support the Bitcoin network.

Lightning, in one paragraph

Lightning is a payment network built on top of Bitcoin. Instead of an address, you pay an invoice — a long string usually beginning with lnbc — often shown as a QR code. Payments typically settle in seconds with small fees, but both sides need Lightning support, and Lightning invoices expire quickly.

The rule that matters: the invoice decides

We don't list a fixed set of coins or networks on this site, because what's available is determined by the payment provider for each invoice and can change. When you choose “Bitcoin & supported crypto” at checkout, the hosted invoice page shows the options actually available for that order. If Lightning isn't offered there, it isn't available for that payment — please don't try to pay a Bitcoin address from a Lightning-only wallet.

How to read what you're being asked to pay

• Starts with bc1, 3 or 1 → a Bitcoin on-chain address. Use your wallet's regular “send” and make sure it's sending BTC on the Bitcoin network.
• Starts with lnbc (or a QR with “lightning:”) → a Lightning invoice. Pay it from a Lightning-capable wallet.
• A token such as USDT or USDC with a network label (e.g. Tron, Ethereum, Polygon) → the network label is not decoration. Sending on a different network than shown can mean the payment isn't received.

Common wallet traps

• Exchange withdrawals: many exchanges batch withdrawals or add delays, so the payment may arrive after the invoice timer. If you can, pay from a wallet you control.
• “Fee included” sending: if your wallet subtracts the fee from the amount, the invoice can be underpaid. Send the full amount shown.
• Low fees on busy days: an on-chain transaction with a very low fee may take a long time to confirm. Your order stays pending until it does.
• Copy or scan the address from the current invoice, then compare the entire destination address and amount in your wallet before confirming.

What happens after you send

When the payment provider confirms payment, the order moves to paid and eSIM preparation begins. The status page shows when installation details are ready. Until then, the store shows the order as pending — even if your wallet already says “sent”. That difference is normal: “sent” is what your wallet did; “paid” is what the payment provider has confirmed.

If you'd rather not think about networks

That's a perfectly reasonable choice. You can pay by card instead; the plan, price in USD and delivery are identical.