Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about accepting Bitcoin with PayMohawk.
Getting Started
How long does it take to set up?
Most merchants are live within 24 hours. We create your store, generate your credentials, and help you integrate. If you're on WooCommerce, the plugin install takes 5 minutes.
Do I need technical knowledge?
No. If you can install a WordPress plugin, you can set up PayMohawk. For Shopify or custom sites, our team handles the integration for you.
What do I need to get started?
Just a business name, email address, and a website (or we can help you set one up). Fill out the application form and we'll handle the rest.
Is there a contract or commitment?
No contracts. The Starter plan is free with a 1% transaction fee. Pro is $35/month, cancel anytime. No lock-in.
Payments & Bitcoin
What cryptocurrencies do you accept?
Bitcoin (on-chain) and Lightning Network. Lightning is instant and near-free — most customers will use it. We may add more currencies in the future.
Do my customers need a Bitcoin wallet?
Yes, customers need a Bitcoin or Lightning wallet to pay. Popular options include Muun, Phoenix, Wallet of Satoshi, and Cash App. The checkout page shows a QR code they scan with their wallet.
Can I get paid in Canadian dollars instead of Bitcoin?
PayMohawk processes Bitcoin and Lightning payments — we don't convert to fiat. Payments settle directly to your wallet. If you want CAD, you can route Bitcoin through a Canadian exchange (Bull Bitcoin, Bitcoin Well, or your preferred partner) and have them send Interac e-Transfer to your bank, usually same day. Many merchants choose to hold Bitcoin as treasury instead.
What about chargebacks?
There are none. Bitcoin transactions are irreversible by design. Once a customer pays, the money is yours. This eliminates the chargeback fraud that plagues traditional payment processors.
How fast do I receive payment?
Lightning payments settle instantly — under 1 second. On-chain Bitcoin payments confirm in 10-60 minutes depending on fee priority. Compare this to credit card processors that hold your money for 2-7 business days.
Security & Privacy
Who controls my Bitcoin?
You do. PayMohawk is non-custodial — we never hold, touch, or have access to your funds. Bitcoin goes directly from your customer's wallet to your wallet. Your keys, your coins.
Can PayMohawk be shut down?
Our infrastructure is hosted offshore in a privacy jurisdiction with some of the strongest data protection laws in the world. Our payment engine is open-source (BTCPay Server). Even if our website went down, your wallet and Bitcoin are yours — they don't depend on us.
Is this legal?
Yes. Bitcoin is legal in Canada. Accepting Bitcoin as payment for goods and services is no different than accepting cash or e-Transfer. PayMohawk is Mohawk-owned and operates under Indigenous self-governance.
Do you require KYC (identity verification)?
We collect basic business information (name, email, industry) to set up your account. We do not require government ID, SIN, or invasive identity verification.
Industries
Why do tobacco and cannabis merchants need this?
Traditional payment processors (Stripe, Square, PayPal) routinely reject or freeze accounts for tobacco, cannabis, and gaming merchants based on merchant category codes. We don't have category restrictions because Bitcoin doesn't need permission from banks.
Do you serve businesses outside of tobacco, cannabis, and gaming?
Yes. While we specialize in serving industries that traditional processors reject, any Indigenous business can use PayMohawk. Retail, services, food, crafts — everyone is welcome.
Do I need to be Indigenous to use PayMohawk?
PayMohawk is built by and for Indigenous businesses, but we don't turn anyone away. If you've been rejected by traditional processors and need a reliable payment solution, we're here.
Technical
What platforms do you integrate with?
WooCommerce (official plugin), Shopify (manual payment method + upcoming app), and any custom website via our REST API. If you use a platform we don't have a plugin for, we'll build the integration for you.
What is BTCPay Server?
BTCPay Server is the open-source payment engine that powers PayMohawk. It's used by thousands of merchants worldwide including major conferences and companies. It's battle-tested, actively maintained, and has zero processing fees. We host and manage it so you don't have to.
What is the Lightning Network?
Lightning is a second layer on top of Bitcoin that enables instant, near-free payments. Think of it like the difference between sending a wire transfer (slow, expensive) vs. tapping your debit card (instant, cheap). Lightning makes Bitcoin practical for everyday purchases.