Simple 4-step guide

Start Accepting Bitcoin Tips

Perfect for Arkansas stylists, teachers, farmers, musicians, and service workers.

This guide walks you through installing Strike, verifying your identity, buying your first $10 of bitcoin, and creating a reusable QR code for receiving tips.

Get Strike App

Strike is a U.S. company that follows federal and state money-transmission rules. ArkansasBitcoin.org doesn't custody funds—we're here to educate.

Your 4 Steps to Accept Bitcoin

A straightforward path to receiving tips and donations—no trading or speculation required.

Step 1

Open and fund your Strike account

You'll install Strike, create an account, verify your ID, link a bank or debit card, and buy your first $10 of bitcoin.

📱 Heads up: apps change often, so Strike's screens and button names may look a little different from the exact taps below. The steps are the same — find the closest matching option and you'll be fine.

1A. Install Strike

On your phone, go to strike.me
Tap the App Store or Google Play link
Download and install the official Strike app

1B. Create your account & verify ID

Open Strike and tap Sign up
Enter your email → confirm the code
Choose a username (becomes your tipping link)
Enter name, date of birth, phone, and address
Scan your government ID when prompted

ID verification is standard for regulated U.S. financial apps.

1C. Link a bank account or debit card

Go to your profile in Strike
Tap Payment methods → Add method
Select Bank account or Debit card
Follow the secure linking steps with your bank

1D. Buy your first $10 of bitcoin

Go to the Bitcoin screen in the app
Tap Buy
Enter $10 as your starting amount
Choose your linked bank or card to pay
Tap Confirm and wait for success

A small starter amount lets you practice safely.

✅ What happens next: You now own a small amount of bitcoin! You should see your balance in the Strike app. This bitcoin is stored by Strike for you—which is fine while you're learning.

Step 2

Create your tip QR and link

Strike gives you a public tipping link and a Lightning address. Both can be displayed as QR codes for people to scan when tipping or donating.

2A. Your reusable tip details

Every Strike account comes with a Lightning address: your username followed by @strike.me (for example yourname@strike.me).
You also get a tipping page at strike.me/yourusername.
Both are permanent — anything sent to either lands in your account, and you can share them as often as you like.

💡 In your Bitcoin settings (Account → Bitcoin → Receive currency), you can choose whether tips arrive as bitcoin or as cash — your call.

2B. Get a QR you can print or share

For a quick scannable code in the app: on the Bitcoin screen, tap Receive → Bitcoin wallet. Strike shows a Lightning QR anyone can scan to pay you (leave it open-amount, or tap Edit to set a fixed amount).
For a permanent “tips welcome” sign: make a QR of your tipping-page link (strike.me/yourusername) and print it.
Save any QR with a screenshot, or use Share.

Tip: Your QR code will be a unique square image that anyone can scan with their Bitcoin wallet. Keep it saved on your phone and ready to share.

✅ What happens next: Your QR code is now ready to share! Anyone with a Bitcoin wallet can scan it and send you sats (small amounts of bitcoin). The payment will arrive in your Strike app within seconds.

Step 3

Display your QR where people pay you

Think about the exact moment someone decides to tip or donate — place your QR in that moment's line of sight.

Where to place your QR:

Stylists & Barbers: At your mirror, station, or payment counter
Teachers & Tutors: On your desk or in parent update emails
Farmers & Market Vendors: On your table sign or near the cash box
Musicians & Creators: On your tip jar, music stand, or merch table
Service Providers: Text your QR or link after completing a job

Pro tip: Print your QR in multiple sizes (business card, half-page, full-page) so you always have a version that fits your space.

✅ What happens next: You're now accepting bitcoin tips! When someone scans your QR, you'll get a notification in Strike and see the sats appear in your balance immediately.

Step 4

Manage your bitcoin safely

Decide what to save

After you receive tips or donations, decide how much to keep in bitcoin versus converting to dollars.

Keep a small amount you’re comfortable holding as long-term bitcoin savings
Convert the rest to dollars for immediate expenses

Security best practices

Enable phone security (PIN, fingerprint, or Face ID) for Strike
Never post screenshots showing your balance or personal details
Practice with small amounts before accepting larger tips
Back up your account recovery information securely

Next level: As your savings grow past a few hundred dollars, explore self-custody options for stronger security.

✅ What happens next: You've completed all 4 steps! You're now ready to receive bitcoin safely. Remember to keep your recovery information backed up and start with small amounts until you feel comfortable.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Quick fixes for the most common problems newcomers encounter.

QR code won't scan

Turn up your screen brightness to maximum
Try printing the QR on white paper instead of displaying on screen
Ask the sender to manually type your Lightning address instead (like yourname@strike.me)
Make sure there's no glare or reflection on the screen

Payment not showing up

Lightning payments: Usually arrive in 1-3 seconds. If not, check your internet connection.
Regular Bitcoin: Can take 10-60 minutes for the first confirmation to appear.
Check your transaction history in Strike to confirm it was sent
Make sure the sender used the correct address or Lightning invoice

Amount looks wrong

Strike may display amounts in dollars, sats, or bitcoin
Remember: 100,000,000 sats = 1 bitcoin
Tap your balance in Strike to switch between dollar and sat view
Bitcoin's price changes constantly, so dollar amounts may fluctuate

Can't verify my ID

Make sure your ID is not expired
Use good lighting when taking photos of your ID
Ensure all text on the ID is clearly visible and in focus
Try using a different device or camera if possible
Contact Strike support through the app if issues persist

Still stuck? Visit Common Questions for more answers. Worried it's not for you, or that you'll mess it up? Read our honest answers to common worries. Or ask for help in public Bitcoin communities like Reddit's r/BitcoinBeginners.

Your First 24 Hours with Bitcoin

A simple timeline to help you get comfortable safely and confidently.

Hour 1

Set up Strike & buy $10

Complete Step 1 above. Verify your balance shows up in the app.

Hour 2

Create & save your tip QR

Complete Step 2. Screenshot your QR and save it to your photos.

Hour 6

Test receiving a payment

Ask a friend to send you 100 sats (about 10 cents), or use a second device to practice. Confirm it arrives in your Strike balance.

Day 1

Print & display your QR

Print your QR and place it where people pay you (mirror, booth, desk, merch table).

Week 1

Decide what to keep vs. convert

After receiving a few tips, decide how much to keep in bitcoin and how much to convert to dollars for immediate needs.

Remember: There's no rush. Take your time, practice with small amounts, and learn as you go.

🎉 You're All Set!

You've completed all 4 steps and you're now ready to accept Bitcoin tips and donations. Here's what to do next:

✓ Share your QR with a friend

Ask them to send you 100 sats (about 10 cents) as a test to make sure everything works.

✓ Learn about custody

When your balance grows past a few hundred dollars, read Keep What You Find to move your savings into self-custody.

✓ Still have questions?

Read our honest answers to common worries — scams, taxes, losing your phone, and more.

Remember: Start small, practice often, and take your time learning. You're in control now.

Get printable cards and sharing resources →

Important: What this guide is about

This is a guide for accepting Bitcoin tips and donations using Strike as a beginner-friendly tool. It's designed to help everyday Arkansans receive small amounts safely.

This is not about day trading, price speculation, or gambling. You're encouraged to start small, learn slowly, and understand how Bitcoin fits into your life before making larger commitments.

Questions? Visit our Learn page for deeper education, or read the FAQ for honest answers to common worries.