Why PikaSim Uses BTCPay Server for Crypto Payments
When you pay with crypto, privacy isn't just about which coin you use - it's also about who sits in the middle of the payment. That's why PikaSim runs our own BTCPay Server, a self-hosted, open-source crypto payment processor. Your payment goes directly to our wallet - no third-party processor logging your checkout data.
What is BTCPay Server?
BTCPay Server is an open-source, self-hosted payment processor for Bitcoin, Lightning Network, and other cryptocurrencies (including Monero via plugins). It's designed so merchants can accept crypto payments without a middleman.
Self-Hosted
We run BTCPay on our own server, not someone else's infrastructure. The checkout page you see is running on our server.
No Third-Party Gateway
No external processor needs to "handle" the crypto checkout. There's no BitPay, Coinbase Commerce, or other company in the middle.
Direct to Wallet
Funds go straight to our wallet - not "held" by a processor first. No custodian can freeze or delay your payment.
Open Source
Anyone can audit the code. Privacy claims are strongest when they can be verified, not just marketed.
The Difference in Payment Flow:
You → Third-party checkout → Third-party holds funds → Merchant receives payout later
You → Merchant's own checkout → Funds go directly to merchant wallet
Why This Matters for Privacy
1. Fewer Parties = Fewer Data Trails
With a typical hosted/third-party crypto checkout, there's another company in the middle that can potentially see and log metadata:
- Checkout timestamps
- Invoice IDs and amounts
- Payment currency used
- On-chain transaction IDs and addresses
- IP address, device, and browser fingerprints
- Patterns across multiple purchases
Self-hosting wins: We eliminate that exposure because there isn't a separate crypto payment processor involved in the transaction flow.
2. Non-Custodial (No Middleman Holding Funds)
Many "crypto payment providers" operate like custodians: they receive the funds first, then payout later. This creates problems:
- Custodial risk: Your funds can be frozen, held, or delayed
- Account requirements: Custodians often require KYC/identity verification
- Data collection: They build records of all transactions
BTCPay wins: Crypto payments go straight to our wallet. No custodian in the middle.
3. Open Source is Verifiable
BTCPay Server is fully open source and widely deployed by thousands of merchants, which means:
- Anyone can review the code for privacy issues
- Security researchers regularly audit it
- You don't have to trust marketing claims - you can verify
Transparency wins: No "just trust us" - the code is public.
What BTCPay Does NOT Do
No payment system can magically make a transaction "not exist."
- Bitcoin on-chain is public by default - Transactions are recorded on the blockchain forever
- Lightning offers better privacy - But it's not perfect (depends on network topology)
- Monero provides strong on-chain privacy - But network-level analysis is still possible
BTCPay's main privacy win is: it removes the "hosted crypto processor" middleman and reduces metadata leakage from that layer.
How PikaSim's Crypto Payment Privacy Works
When you pay with cryptocurrency on PikaSim:
| What We Do | What We Don't Do |
|---|---|
| Run our own BTCPay Server | Use a third-party crypto processor |
| Accept payment directly to our wallet | Route funds through a custodian |
| Generate a temporary invoice | Store your personal information |
| Deliver your eSIM after payment confirms | Create an account for you |
| Delete invoice data after delivery | Build a profile of your purchases |
The result: When you pay with crypto on PikaSim, the transaction is between you and us - no third-party payment processor logging your checkout data.
Payment Methods We Accept via BTCPay
Our BTCPay Server is configured to accept multiple cryptocurrencies, each with different privacy characteristics:
| Payment Method | Privacy Level | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning Network ⚡ | Good | Instant (seconds) | Quick, everyday purchases |
| Bitcoin On-Chain | Moderate | 10-60 minutes | Larger purchases, cold wallet users |
| Monero (XMR) | Excellent | ~20 minutes | Maximum payment privacy |
Lightning Network ⚡
Lightning payments don't get published to the Bitcoin blockchain in the same way as on-chain transactions. The payment is routed through a network of channels, making it harder to trace.
Best for: Fast payments that confirm in seconds.
Bitcoin On-Chain
Standard Bitcoin transactions are recorded on the public blockchain. While addresses are pseudonymous, blockchain analysis can potentially link transactions.
Best for: Larger purchases or paying from cold storage.
Monero (XMR)
Monero is designed from the ground up for payment privacy. It uses ring signatures, stealth addresses, and RingCT to hide the sender, receiver, and amount.
Best for: Maximum payment privacy.
Self-Hosted vs. Third-Party Crypto Processors
| Feature | BTCPay (Self-Hosted) | Third-Party Processors |
|---|---|---|
| Who sees checkout data? | Only the merchant | Merchant + processor |
| Who holds the funds? | Direct to merchant wallet | Processor (custodial) |
| Can funds be frozen? | No | Yes (by processor) |
| Account required? | No | Often yes, with KYC |
| Open source? | Yes | Usually no |
| Transaction fees | Network fees only | Network + processor fees |
| Privacy | Higher (fewer parties) | Lower (more data collection) |
BTCPay Server: Common Questions
Does using BTCPay mean PikaSim purchases are anonymous?
Yes, when you pay with crypto. PikaSim doesn't require an account, doesn't collect personal information, and doesn't store customer data. When you pay with cryptocurrency through our self-hosted BTCPay Server, there's no identity linked to your purchase.
The level of anonymity depends on the cryptocurrency you use:
- Monero: Strongest on-chain privacy - transactions are private by default
- Lightning: Good privacy - payments aren't recorded on the public blockchain
- Bitcoin on-chain: Pseudonymous - your address isn't tied to your identity, but blockchain analysis is possible
Which payment method is best for privacy?
In general:
- Monero is designed for strong on-chain privacy. The sender, receiver, and amount are all hidden.
- Lightning offers better privacy than Bitcoin on-chain because payments aren't published to the base chain.
- Bitcoin on-chain is pseudonymous. For better privacy, use CoinJoin before paying.
All three are significantly more private than credit card payments, which create extensive records with processors, card networks, and banks.
Why don't more companies self-host their crypto payments?
Self-hosting requires technical expertise and operational overhead. Many companies prefer hosted processors because it's easier - they just integrate an API and let someone else handle the infrastructure.
PikaSim chooses the more hands-on route because it matches our privacy-first philosophy.
What about credit card payments?
Credit card payments inherently require third-party processors because that's how card networks (Visa, Mastercard) work. There's no way to accept cards without involving payment processors, card networks, and banks.
For maximum privacy, we recommend paying with cryptocurrency.
How can I verify PikaSim uses BTCPay?
When you check out with crypto, you'll see the BTCPay Server checkout page. You can also check the invoice URL - it points to our BTCPay instance at btcpay.pikasim.com, not a third-party processor.
Does BTCPay store my data?
Our BTCPay Server generates temporary invoices for each transaction. Once your eSIM is delivered, there's no persistent customer data linked to your identity. We don't create accounts, don't track purchase history across sessions, and don't store personal information.
Is BTCPay Server secure?
Yes. BTCPay Server is audited by security researchers, used by thousands of merchants worldwide, and backed by a large open-source community. It's one of the most battle-tested self-hosted payment solutions available.
Summary: Why Self-Hosted Matters
When you pay with crypto on PikaSim, you get what privacy-respecting crypto payments should look like: minimal parties, minimal data, maximal control.
What You Get with PikaSim + BTCPay
- No third-party payment processor sits between us logging your checkout data
- No custodian holds your funds - payment goes directly to our wallet
- No account or identity required - just pay and receive your eSIM
- No data stored - we don't build profiles or track purchase history
- Open source infrastructure - verifiable, not "trust us" marketing
- Multiple crypto options - Bitcoin, Lightning, and Monero
The best payment processor is one you control. That's why we run our own.