How to pay with Bitcoin at 700,000 Scan to Pay merchants

Scan to Pay is a South African payment provider that powers QR code payments at hundreds of thousands of merchants nationwide, including Engen, Clicks, and Bob Shop.

Thanks to a partnership with MoneyBadger, you can now pay with Bitcoin at all Scan to Pay stores nationwide in one of three ways:

1. Pay directly with a Lightning wallet. Scan the Scan to Pay QR code and complete the Bitcoin payment in a Lightning wallet that can scan these QR codes natively. Supported wallets currently include Blink Blitz, and Layerz.
2. Pay using MoneyBadger and a Lightning wallet. If your Lightning wallet can’t scan Scan to Pay QR codes on its own, open the MoneyBadger app, scan the QR code, and complete the payment in your wallet. This is the most reliable Bitcoin payment option for most customers at most Bitcoin-friendly stores.
3. Pay with a crypto exchange wallet. Use Luno and VALR to scan Scan to Pay QR codes directly with the built-in scanner. The Bitcoin payment is processed through your exchange account and not over the Lightning network.

Whether you’re paying at a physical till or during online checkout, the flow is the same: the Scan to Pay payment option is used, a QR code is shown, and you scan it with your preferred app to confirm the payment.

Let’s explore each payment option in more detail.

Option 1: Pay with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants with a Lightning wallet 

How it works:

Lightning wallets like Blink, Blitz, and Layerz allow you to scan Scan to Pay QR codes natively before completing the Bitcoin payment in-app. They’re able to do this because they have MoneyBadger’s QR code tech built in, which converts the QR code into a format your Lightning wallet can understand, i.e., aLightning invoice.

How to pay:

1. Tell the server or cashier you’d like to pay with Bitcoin. If they look confused, explain that Bitcoin payments are processed via Scan to Pay.
2. They’ll generate a QR code for you to scan. This may appear on the POS screen or be printed on a slip at checkout.
3. Open your Lightning wallet (Blink, Blitz, or Layerz).
4. Scan the QR code.
5. Confirm the Bitcoin payment in your Lightning wallet.

Note: If you’re at a restaurant that accepts Scan to Pay, like Debonairs, and you want to tip, ask your server to include the tip in the total before they generate the QR code. You can’t add a tip inside Lightning wallets once the QR code has been created. If you want an easier way to add a tip, see Option 2 below.

Option 2: Pay with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants via MoneyBadger + a Lightning wallet

How it works: Most Lightning wallets, like Strike, Wallet of Satoshi, or Phoenix, can’t scan Scan to Pay QR codes directly. 

That’s where MoneyBadger comes in. MoneyBadger is not a Bitcoin wallet but rather a QR code bridge that allows you to scan a Scan to Pay code, convert it into Lightning invoice, and hand it off to your Lightning wallet to complete payment.

How to pay:

1. Tell the server or cashier you’d like to pay with Bitcoin. If they look unsure, explain that Bitcoin payments are processed via Scan to Pay. 
2. They’ll generate a QR code for you to scan. This may appear on the POS screen or be printed on a slip at checkout.
3. Open the MoneyBadger app.
4. Scan the QR code using MoneyBadger and add your tip (if applicable).
5. Your Lightning wallet will open automatically — simply confirm payment in the app.

Option 3: Pay with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants using a crypto exchange wallet

How it works:  You can also pay with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants using Luno and  VALR. In this case, your Bitcoin is held custodially on the exchange, and the payment is processed from your exchange balance.

The high-level flow is simple:

1. Open your exchange app.
2. Select the scan or pay option.
3. Scan the QR code and confirm payment.

Just keep in mind that the exact payment flow will vary between exchanges.

How to pay:

1. Tell the server or cashier you’d like to pay with Bitcoin. If they look confused, tell them that Bitcoin payments are possible via Scan to Pay.
2. They’ll then generate a QR code for you to scan. This may appear on the POS screen or be printed on a slip at checkout.
3. Open Luno or VALR. 
4. Use the built-in scanner to scan the QR code.
5. Review the amount and confirm the payment in your exchange app.

If you want the instructions for paying with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay stores (and other locations) using each app, here’s the official documentation:

• Luno Pay guide: How to pay with crypto using Luno Pay
• VALR Pay guide: VALR Pay and how to use it 

FAQs about how to pay with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants

1. Which wallets can I use to pay with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants?

• All Lightning wallets, keeping in mind that some can scan the Scan to Pay codes directly (Blink, Blitz, and Layerz) while others (Phoenix, Strike, and Wallet of Satoshi) need the MoneyBadger app to scan and convert the QR code into a Lightning invoice first. 
• Exchange wallets: Luno and VALR.

2. Do I need the MoneyBadger app to pay with Bitcoin at Scan to pay merchants?

Not always. You don’t need MoneyBadger if:

• You’re using a Lightning wallet, like Blink, Blitz, or Layerz, which can scan Scan to Pay QR codes natively
• You’re paying with an exchange app like Luno and VALR.

You do need MoneyBadger if:

• Your Lightning wallet can’t scan Scan to Pay QR codes natively (e.g., Phoenix, Strike, or Wallet of Satoshi).
• You want a reliable fallback when QR scanning fails with your wallet.

MoneyBadger’s role is to convert the QR code into a Lightning invoice and hand it to your wallet; it doesn’t store your Bitcoin.

3. What should I do if my Bitcoin payment fails at a Scan to Pay merchant?

A few quick checks:

• Try a different method:
  
  • If you’re using a Lightning wallet directly, switch to scanning with MoneyBadger first, then complete payment in your Lightning wallet.
  • If an exchange app scan fails, try again or switch to another exchange app or Lightning wallet (If you want the full Bitcoin experience — fast, cheap, self-custodial — a Lightning wallet is always the better option ;) ).
• Be prepared to fall back: If it still doesn’t go through, just pay with a card or cash and treat it as a test run. Scan to Pay + Bitcoin payments are still early, and there are sometimes a few kinks to iron out. 

‍4. How do I add a tip when paying with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants?

You’ve got two main paths:

• Lightning wallets: Ask the server to add the tip to your bill before they generate the QR. You can’t add a tip in your Lightning wallet.
• MoneyBadger + Lightning wallet: You can add the tip in MoneyBadger after you scan the QR code and before the payment is handed off to your wallet.

Paying with Bitcoin at Scan to Pay merchants is easy

Whether you’re just using a Lightning wallet, MoneyBadger + a Lightning wallet, or a crypto exchange wallet, spending Bitcoin at Scan to Pay stores is straightforward. 

Simply follow three steps: ask to pay with Bitcoin via Scan to Pay, scan the QR code using your preferred app, and confirm payment.

If you want to go beyond Scan to Pay stores and explore everyday Bitcoin spending across South Africa, read this complete guide next: How to spend Bitcoin in South Africa (guide + real examples).

P.S. If you’d like to support my work, you can donate directly using the Bitcoin Lightning button below or send sats to nickdarlington@blink.sv from any Lightning wallet.

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