Partner FAQs

Is there market demand for alternative payment options?

Yes. Partners and merchants across retail, hospitality, eCommerce, and services report increasing customer interest in digital wallets, Buy Now Pay Later, and crypto payments. Offering these options can help attract new merchants and support retention within existing portfolios.

Are consumers using digital payment methods to make payments today?

Yes. Digital wallets are widely adopted and commonly used for everyday purchases. Merchants that offer additional digital payment options, including crypto and Buy Now Pay Later, commonly report increased reach and improved conversion among customers who prefer alternative ways to pay.

Do merchants need to have a digital wallet for settlement?

No. Merchants are settled in local currency and do not need to hold or manage a digital wallet. In most cases, the merchant’s settlement and day-to-day experience remains unchanged.

Can merchants receive settlements in crypto?

Not today. Merchants are settled in their local currency, which avoids the complexity of crypto custody and price swings. We’ll continue to evaluate other settlement options as interest and use cases evolve.

How is Bead being used today?

Bead supports partners across multiple industries, including retail, eCommerce, B2B, government, and nonprofit organizations, as they enable digital payment options for their merchants.

How long do settlements and deposits take?

A. Settlement timeframes vary by payment type and are based on a daily cutoff of 11:59 PM ET:

• Crypto: Next business day

• Digital wallets (e.g. PayPal, Venmo): 2–3 business days

• Buy Now Pay Later (e.g. Klarna): 2–3 business days

How does the merchant get paid for Buy Now Pay Later transactions?

Buy Now Pay Later transactions are paid in full in the merchant’s next settlement, while providers such as Klarna assume the repayment risk and collect installment payments directly from the customer.

How should I expect my residuals to be paid?

Please reach out to your onboarding partner for details on residual payment.

How does Bead help increase revenue and grow my book of business?

Bead enables digital payment acceptance including crypto, digital wallets, and Buy Now Pay Later, giving you a competitive edge beyond traditional card processing to help attract and retain merchants without adding operational complexity.!

What is the process if merchants have questions or need support?

Bead provides partners with documentation and resources to help address common merchant questions. When additional assistance is needed, issues can be escalated to Bead for Tier 2 support under defined response and escalation SLAs. Support resources and escalation details are available for reference.

Do merchants need special hardware or software to accept Bead payments?

No. Bead is available through existing integrations with POS systems, payment gateways, and eCommerce platforms, so merchants don’t need to install a Bead app or purchase new hardware. A list of supported integrations is available for reference upon request.

Do I need to submit separate merchant applications for different payment types?

No. A single Bead merchant application supports crypto, digital wallets, and Buy Now Pay Later through a unified platform. You choose which payment types to enable for your merchants. Do crypto payments take a long time to complete?

While standard Bitcoin transactions can take longer to complete, Bitcoin Lightning payments are near-instant, and Stablecoin payments on modern blockchains typically complete in under a minute. Bitcoin is often used for high-value or online transactions where settlement speed is less critical, while Bitcoin Lightning and Stablecoins work well for in-person businesses with frequent or lower-value transactions.

What cryptocurrencies can be accepted?

We support Bitcoin and stablecoins (such as USDC), with Lightning support for faster checkout. Additional crypto payment options will be added over time.

Do you support other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Solana?

We regularly evaluate additional cryptocurrency payment options based on customer demand, operational considerations, and reliability. We actively plan to expand the number of cryptocurrencies support over time.

What types of digital wallets can be accepted?

Bead supports widely adopted digital wallets, including PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. Availability may vary by region and integration.

What Buy Now Pay Later options are supported?

Bead supports Buy Now Pay Later through Klarna. We continue to evaluate additional Buy Now Pay Later options based on demand and operational considerations. Availability may vary by region and integration.