Freelancers can collect USDC with a payment link shared in the same email or conversation as their invoice. Agree the USDC amount and accepted network first, then check the completed payment against the client agreement before starting work or releasing a deliverable.
This works best when the client already has a compatible wallet and USDC. A payment link does not supply an exchange account, a bank withdrawal or the client's initial crypto balance.
Agree the terms before sending the link
Write down the scope, payment amount, due date and what the payment covers. Specify USDC rather than an ambiguous dollar sign, and list the network you accept. PayIn currently supports Base, Polygon and Solana.
For example, a designer could agree a 150 USDC deposit followed by a 350 USDC final payment. Those are illustrative amounts. State when each becomes due and how cancellation or refunds will be handled. Keep the agreement in your normal invoice or contract system.
If you price in another currency, agree the USDC amount and any quote validity before payment. PayIn's amount field is not a live foreign-exchange quote or a mechanism for collecting whatever local-currency balance remains.
Choose a fixed amount for an agreed invoice
For a deposit or milestone with a known price, use a fixed amount and a recognizable payment page title. Use a separate link for a different amount or collection purpose when that keeps the request clearer. Avoid putting sensitive client or project information in a publicly accessible title.
Customer-entered amounts can work for variable fees agreed in conversation, but they require you to check that the customer entered the right total. They are not a substitute for an itemized invoice.
The free payment link guide shows the creation flow. You do not need to register or connect your receiving wallet to create a PayIn link. Keep the resulting management link private and share only the public payment link with the client.
Send a payment message the client can act on
An example message could be:
The deposit for our agreed design work is 150 USDC on Base. Please open the payment link below, review the title and amount, and approve in your wallet. I will confirm receipt against the invoice before starting the project.
Put your actual public payment link below that message. Do not substitute a private management or POS link. If the client needs wallet help, send the customer payment guide first.
Do not ask the client to approve an unexplained request or share a seed phrase. If their wallet does not support the selected flow, resolve that before expecting a completed payment.
Match the payment to the invoice
Use the management page's Payments section to check status, amount and transaction. Keep the transaction reference alongside the invoice in your own records. A shared link does not automatically attach a client identity or invoice number to each payment.
For the example deposit, check that 150 USDC arrived through the intended payment flow. “Awaiting payment” means an attempt exists, not that the money arrived. If a transaction is still confirming, reconcile it before sending a fresh payment request. Unsubmitted attempts expire after 15 minutes and remain visible as history.
A wallet screenshot from the client can help locate an issue, but use the actual payment record or relevant chain transaction to decide whether the invoice is paid.
Keep the receiving and payout steps distinct
USDC goes to your chosen wallet. PayIn does not hold a balance that you withdraw to a bank. If you need local currency, arrange a separate supported conversion or off-ramp and check its fees and eligibility. Factor that step into your own pricing rather than describing the entire payment journey as automatically cost-free.
Save the received USDC amount, time, network and transaction reference. Your normal bookkeeping process should determine the appropriate accounting treatment; the payment link does not calculate taxes or issue a compliant invoice for you.
Plan the next milestone and any refund
After confirming the deposit, send the client a receipt or acknowledgment through your usual channel. For the next milestone, send the correct amount and collection link again; a reusable link is not a recurring billing authorization.
Refunds are separate transfers agreed with the client. Confirm the destination and network rather than automatically returning funds to an address you have not verified.