How to Pay for Claude API with Crypto: Bitcoin, USDT & More

The Problem: Anthropic Only Accepts Credit Cards

Anthropic's Claude API is one of the most capable AI APIs available, but paying for it can be a challenge depending on where you live. Anthropic uses Stripe for payment processing and only accepts credit and debit cards from a limited set of countries.

This creates a barrier for a significant number of developers worldwide.

Who Gets Locked Out?

Several groups of developers face difficulties paying Anthropic directly:

The result is that many capable developers are shut out of using the Claude API, not because of any technical limitation, but because of payment infrastructure.

The Solution: Pay with Cryptocurrency

claudeapi.cheap accepts cryptocurrency payments, removing the credit card barrier entirely. You deposit crypto, receive API credits, and use those credits to make Claude API calls at a 30-50% discount.

Supported Cryptocurrencies

| Currency | Network | Minimum Deposit |

|----------|---------|----------------|

| Bitcoin (BTC) | Bitcoin mainnet | $10 equivalent |

| Ethereum (ETH) | Ethereum mainnet | $10 equivalent |

| USDT | TRC20 (Tron) | $10 |

| USDT | ERC20 (Ethereum) | $10 |

| USDC | ERC20 (Ethereum) | $10 |

USDT on TRC20 is the most popular option due to low transaction fees (typically under $1). ERC20 tokens carry higher gas fees, so they are better suited for larger deposits.

Step-by-Step Guide: From Crypto to API Calls

Here is the complete process from sign-up to making your first API call.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Visit claudeapi.cheap/signup and create an account. You only need an email address. No credit card is required at any point.

Step 2: Deposit Cryptocurrency

Navigate to the Billing section of your dashboard. Select the cryptocurrency you want to deposit. The system will generate a unique deposit address for your account.

Important tips for depositing:

Step 3: Choose Your Plan

Once your deposit is credited, select a pricing tier:

| Plan | Monthly Fee | Discount | Best For |

|------|------------|----------|----------|

| Free | $0 | 30% off | Light usage, testing |

| Pro | $29/mo | 40% off | Regular development |

| Ultimate | $49/mo | 50% off | Production workloads |

The Free plan requires no commitment. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time.

Step 4: Get Your API Key

After selecting a plan, go to the API Keys section and generate a new key. This key works with both the Anthropic-native format and the OpenAI-compatible format.

Your API key will look like: sk-claudeapi-xxxxxxxxxxxx

Keep this key secure. Do not share it or commit it to version control.

Step 5: Configure Your Application

The API is available at https://api.claudeapi.cheap and is compatible with both the Anthropic SDK and the OpenAI SDK format.

#### Option A: Anthropic SDK (Python)

import anthropic

client = anthropic.Anthropic(
    api_key="sk-claudeapi-xxxxxxxxxxxx",
    base_url="https://api.claudeapi.cheap"
)

response = client.messages.create(
    model="claude-sonnet-4-6-20260409",
    max_tokens=1024,
    messages=[
        {"role": "user", "content": "Explain how blockchain consensus works."}
    ]
)
print(response.content[0].text)

#### Option B: OpenAI-Compatible Format (Python)

import openai

client = openai.OpenAI(
    api_key="sk-claudeapi-xxxxxxxxxxxx",
    base_url="https://api.claudeapi.cheap/v1"
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="claude-sonnet-4-6-20260409",
    messages=[
        {"role": "user", "content": "Explain how blockchain consensus works."}
    ]
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)

#### Option C: TypeScript / Node.js

import Anthropic from '@anthropic-ai/sdk';

const client = new Anthropic({
  apiKey: 'sk-claudeapi-xxxxxxxxxxxx',
  baseURL: 'https://api.claudeapi.cheap',
});

const message = await client.messages.create({
  model: 'claude-sonnet-4-6-20260409',
  max_tokens: 1024,
  messages: [
    { role: 'user', content: 'Explain how blockchain consensus works.' }
  ],
});
console.log(message.content[0].text);

#### Option D: cURL

curl https://api.claudeapi.cheap/v1/messages \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk-claudeapi-xxxxxxxxxxxx" \
  -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
  -d '{
    "model": "claude-sonnet-4-6-20260409",
    "max_tokens": 1024,
    "messages": [
      {"role": "user", "content": "Hello, Claude!"}
    ]
  }'

Setting Up Claude Code with Crypto-Funded API

Claude Code is Anthropic's official CLI tool for AI-assisted development. Here is how to use it with your claudeapi.cheap key.

Basic Setup

# Set environment variables
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://api.claudeapi.cheap
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-claudeapi-xxxxxxxxxxxx

# Launch Claude Code
claude

Persistent Configuration

To avoid setting environment variables every time, add them to your shell profile:

# Add to ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://api.claudeapi.cheap
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-claudeapi-xxxxxxxxxxxx

Then reload your shell:

source ~/.zshrc

Claude Code will now use your claudeapi.cheap endpoint automatically, with all the same features: file editing, command execution, search, and multi-file reasoning.

Setting Up Cursor with Crypto-Funded API

Cursor is a popular AI-powered code editor. To use it with claudeapi.cheap:

1. Open Cursor Settings

2. Navigate to Models > Add Custom Model

3. Enter the following:

- API Base URL: https://api.claudeapi.cheap/v1

- API Key: your claudeapi.cheap key

- Model name: claude-sonnet-4-6-20260409

4. Save and select the model in the chat panel

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly are deposits credited?

Deposit confirmation times depend on the network:

| Network | Typical Time |

|---------|-------------|

| Bitcoin | 10-30 minutes (1 confirmation) |

| Ethereum (ETH/ERC20) | 2-5 minutes |

| Tron (TRC20) | 1-3 minutes |

What happens if I send crypto to the wrong network?

Sending tokens to the wrong network (e.g., sending ERC20 USDT to a TRC20 address) can result in permanent loss of funds. Always verify the network matches before sending.

Can I get a refund in crypto?

Unused API credits can be refunded to a crypto wallet address. Contact support through the dashboard to initiate a refund.

Is there a minimum deposit?

The minimum deposit is $10 equivalent in any supported cryptocurrency.

Are there any additional fees?

claudeapi.cheap does not charge deposit fees. You only pay the blockchain network transaction fee (gas fee), which varies by network. TRC20 USDT has the lowest fees, typically under $1.

Do I need KYC verification?

No. claudeapi.cheap does not require identity verification. You sign up with an email address and pay with crypto.

Why Crypto Makes Sense for API Payments

Cryptocurrency solves several practical problems for API access:

For developers who are already part of the crypto economy — whether they are building Web3 applications, receiving freelance payments in crypto, or simply prefer decentralized payment methods — paying for AI API access with crypto is a natural fit.

Getting Started

The entire process from sign-up to first API call takes about 10 minutes:

1. Create an account at claudeapi.cheap/signup

2. Deposit any supported cryptocurrency

3. Generate your API key

4. Configure your application with the base URL and key

5. Start building

No credit card. No bank account. No geographic restrictions.

Create your account →