Bitcoin & Lightning Payments at K1VPN

At K1VPN, privacy doesn't stop at your Internet connection. That's why we support payments with Bitcoin (BTC) via the Bitcoin Network (On-Chain) and the Lightning Network, using our own self-hosted (privately-owned, bare-metal) BTCPay Server and our own Core Lightning node.

Payments go directly to us, with no intermediary payment processors that collect personal data or charge extra fees. No card details are stored, no bank knows what you're buying, and the process is fully automated.

How the payment works, step by step

The process at K1VPN is simple and doesn't require creating an account with personal details.

1. Choose a plan. Go to the crypto payment page and select the plan you're interested in.

2. Save your login details - BEFORE you pay. Once you select a plan, your username and password appear on screen. Save them immediately, before proceeding to payment - either by copying them or by clicking "Save as .txt".

3. Click "Pay with Crypto". You'll be redirected to our BTCPay Server, where you'll see the invoice with the Bitcoin address or the Lightning invoice.

4. Send the payment from your wallet. You have 30 minutes to complete the payment. Scan the QR code or copy the address into your wallet.

5. Automatic activation. Once the payment is confirmed, your access is activated automatically. Log in to the dashboard with the username and password you saved to get your VPN configurations.

On-Chain vs Lightning Network

Which method should I choose?

For the weekly plan at €2.99, choose Lightning Network exclusively. On-chain transactions for small amounts can have fees that approach or exceed the subscription price, and confirmation can take hours.

For monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or longer plans, you can use either On-Chain or Lightning - in both cases activation happens automatically once the payment is confirmed.

Our recommendation: Lightning Network is the best choice for the vast majority of users. It's fast, cheap, and offers instant activation in just a few seconds.

Do I need a wallet?

Yes. You need a Bitcoin wallet to send the payment. There are many free apps for mobile and desktop.

If you're a beginner, we suggest starting with one of the apps below, which support both On-Chain and Lightning:

• Phoenix - simple, automatic Lightning wallet (Android & iOS)
• Aqua - beginner-friendly, supports On-Chain & Lightning (Android & iOS)
• BlueWallet - popular mobile wallet (Android & iOS)

If you're a more experienced user:

• Sparrow Wallet - advanced On-Chain wallet for desktop
• Electrum - classic Bitcoin wallet for desktop
• Zeus - advanced Lightning wallet for mobile

How do I buy Bitcoin?

If you don't already have Bitcoin, there are two main options.

1. Through an exchange (KYC).

The simplest and most direct way. You sign up with a licensed exchange, complete identity verification, and buy Bitcoin with a card or bank transfer. Then you transfer the BTC to your personal wallet and pay K1VPN.

Popular exchanges: Kraken, Coinbase, Bitstamp, Bit2Me.

2. With more privacy.

There are also alternative ways that don't require identity verification, depending on your country and the transaction amount:

• P2P purchases - buying directly from other users
• Bitcoin ATMs - automated exchange machines (where available)
• Private exchanges between individuals

Are Bitcoin payments anonymous?

Not exactly. Bitcoin is pseudonymous, not fully anonymous.

Transactions are publicly recorded on the blockchain without displaying names, but they can be linked to your identity if the BTC was purchased from an exchange with identity verification, or if you use a wallet linked to personal information.

Your level of privacy depends on:

• how you acquired the Bitcoin
• the wallet you use
• your own privacy practices

K1VPN does not analyze or track your transactions beyond what's required to confirm the payment.

What if something goes wrong?

The invoice expired before I paid

If 30 minutes pass without the payment being completed:

• Lightning: The invoice is automatically cancelled. No money is lost - your wallet won't allow sending to an expired invoice. Simply return to the payment page and start again.

• Bitcoin On-Chain: If you sent the payment on-chain but the invoice expired before the transaction was confirmed, your money is not lost - it reaches our system, but the subscription isn't activated automatically. Contact us via our contact page with the Transaction ID (TxID) of your transaction, and we'll sort out your subscription right away.

My subscription wasn't activated after payment

• If you paid with Lightning and didn't get access, contact us with your username.
• If you paid On-Chain, confirmation can take anywhere from 5 minutes to over 2 hours depending on network congestion. Wait and check again.

I lost my username or password

Unfortunately, recovery isn't possible. K1VPN doesn't store email addresses or personal data, so there's no way to verify your identity to reset your credentials. This is why we stress that you save your details immediately when they appear.

K1VPN's Lightning Node

K1VPN runs its own public Lightning Network node, connected directly to our self-hosted BTCPay Server. Lightning payments are processed through our own infrastructure, without relying on a third-party custodial Lightning payment processor.

Lightning Node Details

The Node ID is the public cryptographic identity of the Lightning node. Other Lightning operators can use it to find K1VPN on the network or to open a direct connection or channel with it.

For a regular payment, you don't need to use the details above at all. Just select Lightning at checkout and scan the QR code of the invoice generated by BTCPay Server.

Why does K1VPN support Bitcoin?

Bitcoin's philosophy aligns perfectly with K1VPN's principles: privacy, decentralization, independence, and user control.

By choosing a self-hosted BTCPay Server and payments via Bitcoin and Lightning:

• We reduce dependence on third-party providers
• No third party knows what you're buying
• There's no account that can freeze our funds
• We don't pay fees to payment processors
• We offer a way to pay that respects your privacy without sacrificing security or ease of use

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly is my subscription activated? With Lightning, usually within a few seconds. With Bitcoin On-Chain, after 1 confirmation, which can take anywhere from 5 minutes to over 2 hours depending on Bitcoin Network congestion.

Can I pay for the weekly plan (€2.99) with Bitcoin On-Chain? We don't recommend it. On-chain fees can be disproportionate for small amounts, and confirmation takes time. Use Lightning Network for the weekly plan.

Do I pay any extra fee to K1VPN? No. K1VPN doesn't add any extra charge. There may only be the network's own fee for Bitcoin or Lightning.

Do I need an email or an account to pay? No. No email is required, no account is created. Credentials appear on screen and you're responsible for saving them.

Can I pay from any country? Yes, as long as you have access to a Bitcoin or Lightning wallet.

Do you support other cryptocurrencies? We support Bitcoin (BTC), the Lightning Network and Monero (XMR). Bitcoin is the most mature and widely accepted payment network, and Monero hides the sender, the receiver and the amount. See the guide Pay with Monero.

Why doesn't K1VPN use a third-party payment processor for Bitcoin? Because every intermediary knows what you're buying, charges fees, and can freeze funds. With our own self-hosted BTCPay Server, payments go directly to us with no intermediary at all.

Need additional help?

Contact us via our contact page.