How to pay with Bitcoin at Zapper merchants

You can pay with Bitcoin at many Zapper-enabled stores across South Africa in one of three ways:

1. Pay directly via a Lightning wallet. Scan the Zapper QR code and complete the Bitcoin payment in a Lightning wallet that can scan Zapper codes natively. Currently, this includes Blink, Blitz, and Layerz.
2. Pay using the MoneyBadger app + a Lightning wallet. If your Lightning wallet can’t scan Zapper QR codes natively, open the MoneyBadger app, scan the Zapper QR code, and complete the payment in your Lightning wallet. This is the most reliable Bitcoin payment option for most users at most stores.
3. Pay with a crypto exchange wallet. Use Luno, VALR, or Binance Pay to scan Zapper QR codes directly using the built-in scanner. The Bitcoin payment is processed through your exchange account and not over the Lightning network.

Let’s dive into each option in more detail.

Option 1: Pay with Bitcoin at Zapper merchants via a Lightning wallet 

How it works:

Lightning wallets like Blink, Blitz, and Layerz can scan Zapper QR codes directly and complete the Bitcoin payment in-app. They can do this because they have MoneyBadger’s QR code tech built in, which converts the Zapper code into a format your wallet can understand (a Lightning invoice).

How to pay:

1. Ask to pay via Zapper.
2. The server or cashier will generate a Zapper QR code on the POS device, print a slip with the QR code, or point you to a static Zapper QR on display.
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 want to tip, ask your server to include the tip in the total before they generate the QR code because you can’t add a tip inside the Lightning wallet.

Example: Louis buys a beer by using Layerz to scan a Zapper QR code:

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

How it works: Most wallets, like Strike, Wallet of Satoshi, or Phoenix, can’t scan Zapper QR codes on their own. That’s where MoneyBadger comes in. MoneyBadger is not a Bitcoin wallet. It’s a QR bridge that scans the Zapper QR code, converts it into a Lightning invoice, and hands it off to your Lightning wallet to complete payment.

How to pay:

1. Ask to pay via Zapper.
2. The server or cashier will generate a Zapper QR code on the POS, print it on a slip, or point you to a static Zapper QR on display.
3. Open the MoneyBadger app.
4. Scan the Zapper QR code in MoneyBadger and add your tip
5. Your Lightning wallet will open automatically —  confirm payment in the app.

Examples: 

• Bitcoin Hunter pays his bill at Rocomamas by scanning a Zapper code using MoneyBadger and completing payment in his Phoenix wallet: 

• Luvo pays with Bitcoin at Starlings Locale, Claremont by scanning a Zapper code with MoneyBadger and completing payment in Blink:

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

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

The high-level flow is simple:

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

The exact screens and prompts will vary between exchanges, but the process is roughly the same.

How to pay:

1. Ask to pay via Zapper.
2. The server or cashier will generate a Zapper QR code on the POS, print it on a slip, or show you a static QR.
3. Open Luno, VALR, or Binance Pay.
4. Use the built-in scanner to scan the Zapper QR code.
5. Review the amount and confirm the payment in your exchange app.

If you want the instructions for paying with Bitcoin at Zapper-enabled 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
• Binance Pay guide: What Is Binance Pay and How to Use It?

FAQs about how to pay with Bitcoin at Zapper-merchants

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

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

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

Not always. You don’t need MoneyBadger if:

• You’re using a Lightning wallet, like Blink, Blitz, or Layerz, which can scan Zapper codes directly.
  
• You’re paying with an exchange app like Luno, VALR, or Binance Pay.
  

You do need MoneyBadger if:

• Your Lightning wallet can’t scan Zapper 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 Zapper QR into a Lightning invoice and hand it to your wallet; it doesn’t store your Bitcoin.

3. Can I pay with Luno, VALR, or Binance Pay at every Zapper merchant?

In practice, you can pay with Luno, VALR, or Binance Pay at many Zapper-enabled merchants by simply opening the exchange app, scanning the QR, and confirming the payment. Just keep in mind that not all locations of a chain may have it activated. For example, Spar is listed as a Zapper merchant, but I know firsthand that the Spar in Vredehoek, Cape Town, does not accept Zapper; only SnapScan. 

4. What should I do if my Bitcoin payment at a Zapper merchant fails?

A few quick checks:

• Try a different method:
  
  • If you’re using a Lightning wallet directly, try routing the scan through MoneyBadger.
  • 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. Zapper + Bitcoin payments are still early, and there are sometimes a few kinks to iron out. 

‍5. How do I add a tip when paying with Bitcoin at Zapper merchants?

You’ve got two main paths:

• Lightning wallets (direct Zapper scan): Ask the server to add the tip to your bill before they generate the Zapper QR. Once the QR is printed or displayed, you can’t usually change the amount in your Lightning wallet.
• MoneyBadger + Lightning wallet: You can add the tip in MoneyBadger after you scan the Zapper QR code and before the payment is handed off to your wallet.

Paying with Bitcoin at Zapper-merchants is easy

Whether you’re just using a Lightning wallet, MoneyBadger + a Lightning wallet, or a crypto exchange wallet, spending Bitcoin at Zapper-enabled stores is straightforward once you understand the flow.

It’s really just three steps: ask to pay via Zapper, scan the QR code using your preferred app, and confirm the payment.

If you want to go beyond Zapper-enabled merchants and explore everyday Bitcoin spending across South Africa, read this guide next: How to Spend Bitcoin in South Africa (2025 Guide + Real Examples).

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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.