# Buying a travel eSIM with crypto: 40 questions answered > 40 answers on travel eSIMs paid in crypto: USDT, BTC, SOL, data caps (2 GB/day, then reduced speed), hotspot, China, Turkey and refunds. - URL: https://esimwithcrypto.com/faq/ - Last updated: 2026-10-15 - Publisher: eSIMwithCrypto (https://esimwithcrypto.com) Short answers on paying, plans, installation, countries, privacy and refunds. Each answer links to the page with the details, and competitor facts are dated and sourced at the bottom. **Quick answer — What is eSIMwithCrypto?** **eSIMwithCrypto** sells data-only travel eSIMs for 202 destinations, paid in crypto: USDT on TRC-20 or ERC-20, USDC, BTC, ETH, SOL or LTC. Plans start at $0.89. There is no ID at checkout: your account is a 16-digit account number created at payment, with no email needed. The QR code appears in My eSIMs, usually a few minutes after the payment is confirmed on the blockchain. The service is operated by eSIMGoat LLC. ## eSIMwithCrypto: key facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Coins and networks | USDT on Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20), USDC on Ethereum (ERC-20), BTC, ETH, SOL and LTC on their own networks | | Not accepted | Monero (XMR), Bitcoin Lightning, BNB Chain, Polygon, Base, Arbitrum, USDC on Solana, cards, PayPal, bank transfers | | Minimum payment | None: you pay the exact price of your order in crypto, with no minimum and no top-up | | Balance | Used first at checkout: your balance only holds credits, for example an eSIM that was not installed or could not be delivered; credits never expire, pay your next eSIMs and data top-ups, and are not refundable | | ID at checkout | None: no ID, no selfie, no documents | | Account | No sign-up form: a 16-digit account number created at payment, with no email needed | | Plans | From $0.89; local plans in 23 countries, plus a Europe eSIM and a Global eSIM | | Phone number | None: data only, no calls, no SMS | | Network | Partner networks have not been confirmed per plan. Descriptions of local operators and their public coverage are background information, not a roaming agreement or a field test of eSIMwithCrypto. | | Unlimited plans | Fair use: 2 GB per day at full speed, then reduced speed until the next day | | Delivery | QR code and activation codes in My eSIMs, usually a few minutes after the payment is confirmed on the blockchain | | Refunds | Rule: an eSIM that is not installed, or that we cannot deliver, is credited back to your balance; an installed eSIM is not refundable | | Operator | eSIMGoat LLC, registered in Panama | ## Buying and paying ### How do I buy a travel eSIM with crypto? Choose a destination and a plan, then the coin and the network. The payment page shows the exact amount of your order, our address with its QR code, and a 30-minute countdown. Send that exact amount in one transfer. The eSIM is then bought, and its QR code appears in My eSIMs, usually a few minutes after the payment is confirmed on the blockchain. No ID is asked at any step. Full walk-through: [how it works](https://esimwithcrypto.com/how-it-works/). ### Which cryptocurrencies does eSIMwithCrypto accept? Six coins on seven options: USDT on Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20), USDC on Ethereum (ERC-20), and BTC, ETH, SOL and LTC. The dollar price is the same on every network, with no surcharge. Cards, PayPal and bank transfers are not accepted. Each option has its own page: [pay with crypto](https://esimwithcrypto.com/pay/). ### Does eSIMwithCrypto accept Monero (XMR)? No. We don't accept Monero (XMR). Bitcoin Lightning, BNB Chain (BEP-20), Polygon, Base, Arbitrum and USDC on Solana are not accepted either. The accepted options are USDT (TRC-20 or ERC-20), USDC (ERC-20), BTC, ETH, SOL and LTC, each on the network named on the payment page. Sellers that accept Monero appear in our [crypto acceptance matrix](https://esimwithcrypto.com/crypto-acceptance-matrix/). ### Is there a minimum payment, even for a small plan? No. At checkout, you pay the exact price of your order in crypto, with no minimum and no top-up. A plan at $0.89 is paid at its own price. The network fee of your transfer comes on top, and on a very small order it can be large compared with the price. Check the live fee of your network before you send, or put several eSIMs in one order. Details: [what a crypto payment really costs](https://esimwithcrypto.com/crypto-payment-cost/). ### How long until my QR code appears? The QR code appears in My eSIMs, usually a few minutes after the payment is confirmed on the blockchain. Payment confirmation takes about 1 minute for SOL and USDT TRC-20, 5 minutes for ETH and ERC-20 tokens, 15 minutes for LTC and 20 minutes for BTC. If the QR code is still missing an hour after payment, write to support with your order reference. ### Can I pay with a card, PayPal or a bank transfer? No. eSIMwithCrypto accepts crypto only. If you hold no crypto, you can buy USDT or another accepted coin on an exchange, then withdraw it on a supported network. Send at least the amount shown: if the exchange deducts a withdrawal fee, add it. No ID is asked at our checkout, and the same dollar price applies on every network. ## Crypto networks ### Can I buy an eSIM with USDT on TRC-20? Yes. eSIMwithCrypto accepts USDT on Tron (TRC-20), at the same dollar price as on Ethereum (ERC-20). Choose Tron (TRC-20) on the payment page and in your wallet, then send the exact amount shown. The payment is confirmed after 20 confirmations, usually in about 1 minute. Funds sent on another network may be lost. Guide: [buy an eSIM with USDT](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/buy-esim-with-usdt/). ### USDT on TRC-20 or ERC-20: which should I use? Use the network your wallet or exchange supports at the lower fee: the eSIM price is the same on both. A TRC-20 transfer uses Tron resources paid in TRX. An ERC-20 transfer pays Ethereum gas in ETH, which varies with network load. You pay the network fee on top of the amount shown. Details: [what a crypto payment really costs](https://esimwithcrypto.com/crypto-payment-cost/). ### How many confirmations does my crypto payment need? It depends on the coin. BTC needs 2 confirmations, USDT on TRC-20 needs 20, and ERC-20 tokens and ETH need 12. SOL needs 1 and LTC needs 6. In time, that is about 1 minute for SOL and USDT TRC-20, 5 minutes for ETH and ERC-20 tokens, 15 minutes for LTC and 20 minutes for BTC. The eSIM is then bought. ### Can I pay for an eSIM with Bitcoin Lightning? No. eSIMwithCrypto accepts on-chain Bitcoin only, credited after 2 confirmations, usually in about 20 minutes. A Lightning invoice cannot be paid on our payment page. If speed matters, SOL and USDT on TRC-20 are usually credited in about a minute. Step by step: [buy an eSIM with Bitcoin](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/buy-esim-with-bitcoin/). ### Can I pay with SOL, or with USDC on Solana? SOL yes, USDC on Solana no. eSIMwithCrypto accepts native SOL on the Solana network, credited after 1 confirmation. USDC is accepted only on Ethereum (ERC-20), credited after 12 confirmations. Other Solana tokens, including USDC on Solana, are not accepted. Guide: [pay for an eSIM with Solana (SOL)](https://esimwithcrypto.com/pay/solana/). ### What happens if I send crypto on the wrong network? Funds sent on another network may be lost. Always choose the same network on the payment page and in your wallet, for example Tron (TRC-20) for USDT. We do not accept BNB Chain (BEP-20), Polygon, Base or Arbitrum. If it happened, write to support with the coin, the network, the amount, the time and the transaction ID (TXID). ## Plans, prices and data ### How much does a travel eSIM cost at eSIMwithCrypto? Plans start at $0.89, in US dollars, at the same price in every accepted coin. Countries with local plans offer up to six formats. There is 1 GB for 7 days; 5, 10 or 20 GB for 30 days; and unlimited for 7 or 30 days. Unlimited plans give 2 GB per day at full speed, then reduced speed until the next day. The Europe eSIM starts at $1.09, the Global eSIM at $5.19. Every price: [pricing](https://esimwithcrypto.com/pricing/). ### Does any crypto-payable seller charge less than eSIMwithCrypto? Compare the dated destination rows in the [Travel eSIM Price Index 2026](https://esimwithcrypto.com/crypto-esim-price-index/). Allowance, validity, currency and observation date matter; no market-wide price ranking is claimed. ### Which destinations does eSIMwithCrypto cover? 202 countries. 23 of them have local plans, including the USA, Japan, the UK, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, China and South Korea. The others are covered by the Europe eSIM (49 countries) or the Global eSIM (202 countries). No plan covers Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba and 9 other countries. Search yours: [all destinations](https://esimwithcrypto.com/destinations/). ### When does the validity of my eSIM start? Not at purchase and not at installation: the validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in your destination. You can install the eSIM at home a few days before you leave without losing days; keep the line off until you travel. A 7-day plan then runs for 7 days, or until its data runs out. Details: [when to install](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/when-to-install-esim/). ### Can I add data to my eSIM? Yes, on plans marked Top-up in our price tables: data top-ups are added to the eSIM already on your phone, with nothing to install again. Open the eSIM in My eSIMs, choose Top up data and pay its exact price in crypto, like an eSIM. The data is added once the payment is confirmed. If no top-up is sold for a destination, the eSIM page says so, and you can buy a new eSIM instead. ### Does an eSIMwithCrypto eSIM include a phone number? No. Every eSIMwithCrypto plan is data-only: no phone number, no calls and no SMS. Keep your usual SIM switched on in dual SIM for calls and bank codes (2FA). WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime keep working with your usual number, using the eSIM's data. Sellers that add a number: [data-only eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/data-only-esim/). ## Unlimited and hotspot (2 GB/day at full speed, then reduced speed) ### Are eSIMwithCrypto's unlimited plans really unlimited? (2 GB/day at full speed, then reduced speed) Not at full speed all day. Our unlimited plans give 2 GB per day at full speed, then reduced speed until the next day. We have not yet published the exact reduced speed. Other sellers cap their unlimited plans too, as checked on October 9, 2026. Nomad allows 2 GB per day, Airalo 3 GB then 1 Mbps, and Maya Mobile 5 GB. Comparison of 9 sellers: [daily caps compared](https://esimwithcrypto.com/unlimited-esim/). ### Which destinations have unlimited plans? (2 GB/day at full speed, then reduced speed) All 23 countries with local plans, plus the Europe eSIM and the Global eSIM, have 7-day unlimited plans. Every one gives 2 GB per day at full speed, then reduced speed until the next day. 30-day unlimited plans, with the same cap, exist everywhere except Thailand, Mexico, the UAE, India, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Morocco and the Global eSIM. Prices: [pricing](https://esimwithcrypto.com/pricing/). ### Can I use my eSIMwithCrypto eSIM as a hotspot? Ask support first: the hotspot rule of each plan is not published yet. Do not rely on hotspot, for example to work from a laptop, before support confirms it for your plan and destination. An installed eSIM is not refundable, so ask before you buy. Other sellers' rules, from no limit to 500 MB per day: [hotspot rules](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim-hotspot/). ### What happens when I reach the daily cap of an unlimited plan? The speed drops until the next day. Our unlimited plans give 2 GB per day at full speed, then reduced speed until the next day. The exact reduced speed is not published yet. For comparison, Airalo slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB per day, and RedEx eSIM to 384 kbps after 2 GB (October 9, 2026). Note that data usage is reported by the network with a delay of up to a few hours. ## Installation and phones ### Which phones work with eSIMwithCrypto? Unlocked phones that support eSIM. That includes iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later, Google Pixel 3a and later, and Samsung Galaxy S20 to S26. Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip and some A models support it too. Dial *#06#: if an EID number appears, the phone supports eSIM. Most iPhones bought in mainland China have no eSIM. Model list: [eSIM compatible phones](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim-compatible-phones/). No eSIM? [eSIM vs physical SIM for travel](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/esim-vs-physical-sim/). ### When should I install my travel eSIM? Before you leave, at home on Wi-Fi. Then turn the line on and allow data roaming when you land. On iPhone, Apple requires Wi-Fi or a hotspot to set up an eSIM. Installing early costs no days, because the validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in your destination. Install before you go to China or Turkey: foreign-profile installation is restricted on supported China-bought iPhones while located in mainland China, and buying or installing in Turkey may fail. Guide: [when to install](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/when-to-install-esim/). ### How do I install the eSIM? Open My eSIMs and pick one of three ways. Scan the QR code from another screen. On the iPhone itself, use a one-tap install button on iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later. Or type the SM-DP+ address and the activation code by hand; on Android, you can paste the full activation code in Enter code manually. Step by step: [how to install an eSIM on iPhone](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/install-esim-iphone/) or [on Android](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/install-esim-android/). ### Can I reuse the QR code or move the eSIM to another phone? No: the QR code works once, on one phone, and a deleted eSIM cannot be installed again. An installed eSIM cannot be moved to another phone. To stop using it, turn the line off in Settings instead of deleting it. Buy one eSIM per phone: each one gets its own QR code. Keep the codes private, because whoever installs them first uses your data. ### Will a travel eSIM work on a carrier-locked phone? Usually not. On a phone locked to a carrier, a travel eSIM can install but will not connect. On iPhone, open Settings › General › About › Carrier Lock: it must say No SIM restrictions. Only your carrier can unlock the phone, so ask it before you buy. Guide: [carrier-locked phones](https://esimwithcrypto.com/guides/locked-phone-esim/). ### Which network does the eSIM use, and does it support 5G? Partner networks have not been confirmed per plan. Descriptions of local operators and their public coverage are background information, not a roaming agreement or a field test of eSIMwithCrypto. ## Countries: China, Turkey, UAE, Japan, Korea, Europe ### Can I use a travel eSIM in China? Yes, but install it before you enter mainland China. Apple’s guidance for supported iPhones bought in mainland China restricts installing foreign-carrier eSIMs while the phone is in mainland China. Our exit country for China is not published yet, so we do not promise access to Google or WhatsApp. Local laws apply. Details: [China eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim/china/). ### Will my eSIM work in Turkey? Usually yes, if you buy and install it before arrival. Turkey's regulator, BTK, blocked the websites and apps of at least 35 eSIM sellers in July 2025. Buying or installing from inside Turkey may fail. Foreign phones are blocked after 120 cumulative days without IMEI registration. Sources disagree on whether this applies to roaming eSIMs. Details: [Turkey eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim/turkey/). ### Do WhatsApp calls work in the UAE with an eSIM? Not reliably. Mobile data works in the UAE, but WhatsApp and FaceTime voice and video calls are blocked on UAE networks. An eSIM does not guarantee that they work. A local SIM needs a passport with a visa, or an Emirates ID. Our eSIMs ask for no ID at checkout. Details: [UAE eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim/uae/). ### What changes for data SIMs in Japan in 2026? A law amended on 22 May 2026 extends ID checks to data SIM contracts in Japan; voice SIMs already required ID. We found no date of entry into force, and no source that targets travel eSIMs in roaming (checked October 9, 2026). Our checkout asks for no ID. A data-only SIM cannot call 110 or 119. Details: [Japan eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim/japan/). ### Can I get a Korean phone number with a travel eSIM? Not with ours: eSIMwithCrypto eSIMs are data-only. Since 6 July 2026, new local lines in South Korea require facial recognition or a mobile ID. Tourist numbers also cannot use Korean identity verification for banks and websites. Keep your usual SIM for codes from home. Details: [South Korea eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim/south-korea/). ### Does one eSIM work across Europe? Yes: the Europe eSIM covers 49 countries, from $1.09, with no ID at checkout. Local prepaid SIMs are different. 19 of 28 European countries studied require prepaid registration (Cullen International, October 2025). ID is required in Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Belgium and Cyprus. Details: [Europe eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/esim/region/europe/). ## Account, privacy and ID ### Do I need an account or ID to buy an eSIM? No ID, no selfie and no documents. There is no sign-up form either: your account is a 16-digit account number created at payment, with no email needed. Keep that number private, because it opens My eSIMs and your QR codes. An email is optional, for receipts, reminders and account recovery. You can add a password and two-factor authentication in Account settings. ### What does the local network still see when I use a travel eSIM? Your device and its approximate location. eSIMwithCrypto asks for no ID at checkout, but the local network still sees your device (IMEI) and where it connects. An eSIM does not encrypt your traffic: use a VPN if you need encryption. Crypto payments are recorded on public blockchains. What we process: [privacy policy](https://esimwithcrypto.com/privacy/). ### What if I lose my account number? If you added an email, use the account recovery link on the login page: we send the number to that address. Without an email, we cannot recover the account, because we do not know who you are. Save the account number file shown after payment. We never ask for your account number by email or chat. ### Can I delete my account? Yes, from Account settings in the client area. You lose access to your eSIMs' QR codes and top-ups, but installed eSIMs keep working until they expire. Any remaining credits on your balance are lost, because they are not refundable. Your email, password and two-factor settings are erased. Details: [privacy policy](https://esimwithcrypto.com/privacy/). ## Refunds and balance ### Can I get a refund for an eSIM? Yes, to your balance, in two cases. The rule: an eSIM that is not installed, or that we cannot deliver, is credited back to your balance; an installed eSIM is not refundable. Refunds go to your eSIMwithCrypto balance, never back to a wallet. Before you buy, check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked: the checkout asks you to confirm it. Full rules: [refunds and balance](https://esimwithcrypto.com/refunds/). ### Does my balance expire? No. Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new eSIMs and top-ups, but it is not refundable. The balance only holds credits, such as an eSIM that was not installed or could not be delivered, and they are used first on your next order. If you delete your account, the remaining credits are lost. Your balance and its history are shown in the client area. ## Sources for competitor and country facts 1. [Japan eSIM plans (plan data and caps, latest update 2026-10-09)](https://esimdb.com/japan) — esimdb (checked 2026-10-09) 2. [Stellar eSim](https://stellarsecurity.com/stellar-esim) — Stellar Security (checked 2026-10-09) 3. [Unlimited data plans: fair use policy](https://www.airalo.com/m/resources/unlimited-data-plans-fair-use-policy) — Airalo (checked 2026-10-09) 4. [Holafly reviews (hotspot quotas of standard plans)](https://www.jetpacglobal.com/blog/holafly-reviews/) — Jetpac (2026-04-14) 5. [eSIM on iPhone and China mainland (support article 123879)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/123879) — Apple (2026-09-09) 6. [Set up eSIM on iPhone (support article 118227)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118227) — Apple (2026-09-17) 7. [eSIM on iPhone: supported models (support article 118669)](https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669) — Apple (2026-09-17) 8. [Turkey blocks eSIM providers](https://www.intellinews.com/turkey-blocks-e-sim-providers-392021/) — bne IntelliNews (checked 2026-10-09) 9. [Registering mobile phones in Turkey (IMEI, 120 days)](https://turkeytravelplanner.com/details/communications/registering_mobile_phones_in_turkey.html) — Turkey Travel Planner (2026-07-19) 10. [Does WhatsApp work in Dubai?](https://www.jetpacglobal.com/blog/does-whatsapp-work-in-dubai/) — Jetpac (checked 2026-10-09) 11. [SIM registration in the UAE: what you need to know](https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/sim-registration-what-you-need-to-know-1.1131908) — Gulf News (checked 2026-10-09) 12. [Press release on identity checks for data SIM contracts](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/eng/pressrelease/2026/8/3_2.html) — Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan (2026-08-03) 13. [Japan eSIM for tourists: identity rules, app calling, networks (2026)](https://simology.io/blog/japan-esim-tourists-identity-requirements-app-calling-network-notes-2026) — Simology (checked 2026-10-09) 14. [Mobile phone activation rules tighten with a facial recognition option](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20260705/mobile-phone-activation-rules-tighten-monday-with-facial-recognition-option) — The Korea Times (2026-07-05) 15. [Korean phone number on a tourist SIM (2026)](https://koreaexperience.com/blog/korean-phone-number-on-tourist-sim-2026) — Korea Experience (checked 2026-10-09) 16. [19 EU countries mandate the registration of prepaid customers](https://www.cullen-international.com/news/2025/10/19-EU-countries-mandate-the-registration-of-prepaid-customers.html) — Cullen International (2025-10-08) 17. [Speedtest Global Index (August 2026)](https://www.speedtest.net/global-index) — Ookla (checked 2026-10-09) **Still have a question?** Write to support@esimwithcrypto.com or open a ticket in the client area. Email replies within 12 hours, 7 days a week, including help with installing and activating your eSIM. [Find your eSIM](https://esimwithcrypto.com/destinations/) · [Contact](https://esimwithcrypto.com/contact/) --- eSIMwithCrypto: eSIMwithCrypto sells data-only travel eSIMs paid in crypto and is operated by eSIMGoat LLC, registered in Panama.