Payment Integration Guide
Crypto Payment Gateways For Links, Invoices, Plugins, And API Sales
NOWPayments is the featured crypto payment gateway on A Crypto Box. Choose a payment link or invoice when speed and a defined customer request matter most. Choose a plugin when the store already runs on a supported commerce system. Choose the API when payment creation, status, and fulfilment must become part of the product.
- 01Link
- 02Invoice
- 03Plugin
- 04API
- 05Status
- 06Fulfilment
Business-type selector
Payment Link For The Client. Order Record For The Business.
Invoice or payment link
Freelancer / Creator
- Operating flow
- Customer payment request → order reference → payment status → settlement record
Payment button or plugin
Online Store
- Operating flow
- Checkout → order ID → payment status → fulfilment handoff
API and webhooks
SaaS / Platform
- Operating flow
- Payment creation → status → customer records → payouts where relevant
Before the First Payment
Define the Business Flow Before Choosing the Tool.
- Sale
- A Defined Product or ServiceKnow what the customer is buying and what completes the order.
- Format
- A Payment Entry PointChoose checkout, a payment link, an invoice, a plugin, or an API flow.
- Status
- A Payment Status RuleDefine which payment state allows fulfilment or account access.
- Records
- An Order ReferenceConnect the request, transaction, customer, and merchant record.
Payment Method Selector
Choose the Format That Matches the Sale.
Direct
Payment Link
- Best For
- One-off sales and remote payment requests
- Merchant Job
- Share the link and match the completed payment to the order.
Direct
Invoice
- Best For
- Client work, B2B services, and custom orders
- Merchant Job
- Keep the invoice, customer, and payment reference together.
Integrated
Checkout Widget
- Best For
- Website purchases with an existing order journey
- Merchant Job
- Connect payment status to fulfilment.
Integrated
Plugin
- Best For
- A supported plugin-based ecommerce setup
- Merchant Job
- Configure the store flow and test order handling.
Technical
API
- Best For
- Platforms and custom product experiences
- Merchant Job
- Own the interface, status logic, and internal records.
Customer → Merchant Flow
Give Every Payment a Visible Next Step.
- 01
Customer
Chooses Crypto
A visible crypto payment option - 02
Checkout
Creates the Request
Order or payment reference - 03
Transaction
Moves Through the Gateway
Gateway payment status - 04
Merchant
Completes the Order
Fulfilment and record update
NOWPayments Implementation Options
Start at the Build Level Your Business Can Operate.
NOWPayments supports the payment formats covered on A Crypto Box: payment links, invoices, checkout widgets, plugins, and API-led payment flows.
Open NOWPayments- 01
Payment link · Invoice
No Custom Build
Create the request, share it with the customer, and connect the payment result to the order. - 02
Checkout widget · Plugin
Connected Checkout
Place crypto inside the existing store or website buying flow. - 03
API
Custom Integration
Create the payment experience around your own product and operating logic.
Implementation Comparison
Direct Request or Integrated Checkout?
| Comparison factor | Direct Request | Integrated Checkout |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Entry | A link or invoice shared for a specific request | Crypto presented inside a website or product flow |
| Setup Shape | Create and send each request | Connect checkout, plugin, or API logic |
| Order Handling | Match each completed request to the order | Connect payment status to the existing order system |
| Best Starting Point | Services, direct sales, and custom orders | Stores, SaaS products, and platforms |
- Customer Entry
- Direct RequestA link or invoice shared for a specific request
- Integrated CheckoutCrypto presented inside a website or product flow
- Setup Shape
- Direct RequestCreate and send each request
- Integrated CheckoutConnect checkout, plugin, or API logic
- Order Handling
- Direct RequestMatch each completed request to the order
- Integrated CheckoutConnect payment status to the existing order system
- Best Starting Point
- Direct RequestServices, direct sales, and custom orders
- Integrated CheckoutStores, SaaS products, and platforms
Ecommerce, Invoice & Link Use Cases
Build the Payment Around the Commercial Moment.
| Use Case | Format | Operating Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce Checkout | Checkout widget or plugin | Product → Cart → Crypto payment → Order fulfilment |
| Service Invoice | Invoice | Scope → Invoice → Crypto payment → Client record |
| Direct Payment Request | Payment link | Offer → Link → Crypto payment → Delivery |
| Product Integration | API | Product action → Payment request → Status → Access |
Transaction & Address Controls
Slow Down the Checks That Protect the Order.
- Asset & Network
- Present the payment details produced by the gateway clearly and keep customer instructions beside the request.
- Payment Status
- Use the status in the merchant payment flow before fulfilling the order.
- Transaction Reference
- Keep the transaction reference with the order, invoice, or customer record.
- Access & Credentials
- Protect the email, admin access, integration credentials, and recovery controls used by the payment operation.
When a Full Gateway Is Useful
Use a Gateway When Payments Become an Operation.
A direct wallet transfer may look simple, but repeatable sales need a request, status, order reference, customer instruction, and merchant record. A gateway brings those parts into one payment flow.
- Customers need crypto inside a repeatable buying flow
- The business uses more than one payment format
- Payment status needs to connect to order handling
- A store or product needs a plugin or API integration
- The team needs one operating model for requests and records
From First Payment to Merchant Workflow
Add the Payment Option Your Crypto Customers Already Want.
Pick the format, connect it to the sale, and make payment status part of the order operation.
Accept Crypto Payments FAQ
When should I use a payment link or invoice?
Choose a payment link or invoice when speed and a defined customer request matter most, especially for freelancers, creators, and service work.
When should I use a plugin?
Choose a plugin when the store already runs on a supported commerce system and crypto needs to sit inside checkout.
When should I use the API?
Choose the API when payment creation, status, and fulfilment must become part of the product.
What does a crypto payment gateway do?
A crypto payment gateway connects the merchant payment request to the customer payment flow and returns the payment status used in the merchant operation.
Why does this guide feature NOWPayments?
NOWPayments is the featured merchant payment partner for payment links, invoices, payment buttons, plugins, and API-led crypto payment flows.