Paying for a prop firm challenge with crypto skips the bank entirely — no card decline, no "high-risk merchant" flag, no waiting for a wire. For traders who already hold USDC or SOL, it's often the fastest way to get an account live.
Here's what to know before you pay with crypto, and how WICK FUNDED's crypto checkout works.
Why some traders prefer paying with crypto
- No bank intermediary. Card networks sometimes flag trading-related purchases as high-risk; crypto payments bypass that entirely.
- Speed. On-chain payments can confirm in seconds to minutes, depending on the network.
- No geographic card restrictions. Useful for traders whose local card issuer blocks international or "gambling-adjacent" merchant categories (trading platforms sometimes get miscoded this way).
- Privacy. You're not handing over card details to a third-party processor.
What to check before paying a prop firm in crypto
- Which network? Paying on the wrong chain (e.g., sending an ERC-20 token to a Solana address) is the single most common way traders lose funds in crypto checkout. Always confirm the network before sending.
- Which token — stablecoin or volatile asset? Paying in a stablecoin like USDC avoids price-swing risk between the moment you send and the moment the firm receives it. Paying in a volatile token like SOL means the USD value can move before confirmation.
- Does the firm confirm receipt automatically? A good checkout should detect your on-chain payment and activate the account without you emailing support a transaction hash.
- Is the price locked at your chosen token's rate, or could it slip? Ask or check the terms if you're paying in a volatile asset.
How WICK FUNDED does it (simulated)
WICK FUNDED accepts payment in USDC or SOL on Solana at checkout, alongside the standard card option (Visa/Mastercard via Banxa). No wallet is required for card payments; for crypto, you just need a Solana-compatible wallet holding USDC or SOL.
Challenge pricing is one-time and identical regardless of payment method — the 2-Step Challenge 10K account starts at $49. The 1-Step Challenge and Instant Funding tracks are also payable the same way.
This matters on the payout side too: WICK pays funded traders on a bi-weekly (14-day) cycle in USDC on Solana, from company funds based on simulated performance. If you're already comfortable receiving USDC, paying in USDC closes the loop — same rail in, same rail out.
All accounts are simulated. No real capital is placed in the market; your crypto payment buys access to the evaluation, not a trading position.
Crypto vs. card checkout (general comparison, last checked October 2026)
| Crypto (USDC/SOL) | Credit card | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Minutes, network-dependent | Instant if not flagged |
| Bank involvement | None | Bank/card network in the loop |
| Risk of sending to wrong address/network | Real — double-check before sending | N/A |
| Identity check | Varies by firm | Common on first purchase |
| Good for | Traders already holding crypto | Traders without a wallet |
FAQ
What happens if I send the wrong token or use the wrong network? Funds sent to the wrong network or address are usually unrecoverable. Always copy the exact deposit address and confirm the network (Solana, in WICK's case) before sending.
Is paying in crypto cheaper than paying by card? At WICK FUNDED, the challenge fee is the same either way. Some firms do waive processing fees for crypto — check the final total at checkout.
Do I need to know how to use a Solana wallet? Yes, for the crypto payment path you need a basic Solana-compatible wallet with USDC or SOL. If that's unfamiliar, the card option via Banxa is simpler.
Are crypto payouts "investment returns"? No. Payouts are a profit-split payment on simulated trading performance, paid in USDC — not an investment return and not guaranteed income. See drawdown explained for how the risk rules that lead to a payout actually work.
Can I switch between card and crypto for different purchases? Yes — payment method is chosen per purchase and doesn't lock you into one option for future accounts.
Simulated trading evaluation — no real funds are traded. Not financial advice.