Violet Rollergirl’s guide to paying your provider in crypto
Hi there!
If you’re reading this page, you’ve probably been steered here by a friend, provider, creator, or directly by me to learn more about why you might want to consider and how you can use cryptocurrency to pay for an appointment or its deposit, or perhaps to pay for a custom photo, video, or other digital good or online service.
Cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly popular with both providers and our clients because, when used smartly, it really does offer big privacy, safety, and financial security assurances. This page is the start of some thorough yet succinct walkthroughs for how to get started with cryptocurrency and then send it to your worker.
ⓘ This page is for clients or customers. If you are a provider, seller, or vendor you should instead read Violet Rollergirl’s Resources for Providers Using Cryptocurrency (as a Sex Worker).
In this article
- Why use cryptocurrency?
- Quick(est) Start: No experience required
- List of guides
- Paying your provider
- Other ways to spend crypto (on your provider)
- Have questions? I’m here for you!
Why use cryptocurrency?
There are a lot of reasons you may want to pay your worker in crypto:
- Privacy and discretion: No more awkward line items on your financial statements. Pay completely privately, without associating any personally identifying information (PII) with your purchase.
- Reduced costs: Credit cards and payment apps act as middlemen and charge hefty processing fees. Crypto payments can bypass those when funds are sent direct to the seller.
- Provider incentives: Some providers, like me, offer incentives such as small discounts for using various privacy-preserving technology with us. Ask me about this when you contact me!
- Cross-app interoperability: No need to worry about which apps you both have. You can use your existing app (e.g., CashApp) even if your provider doesn’t have the same one.
- Volatility can be a windfall: You can take advantage of crypto’s volatility to treat yourself and pay your worker when the price of crypto is high if you got it when it was low.
Some of these benefits require you to install what’s called a self-custodial wallet app (I like Zodl Wallet and Cake Wallet) as opposed to using a third-party crypto payment service but, in general, you can just think of cryptocurrency like digital cash, or simply a different kind of foreign currency unit like the Euro or whatever.
One thing is certain: moving forward, far more providers will be using cryptocurrency than any other payment method. For some providers, cryptocurrency may even be the only remote/online payment option. Consider preparing for that now!
Quick(est) Start: no experience required
The rest of this guide covers a lot of different options. For example, if you already have a digital payment app such as PayPal or CashApp, you can use that app to get and pay with cryptocurrency. Eventually, traditional online banking services will also offer cryptocurrency options but, until then, you need some other crypto-supporting app.
If you have never used a digital payment app of any kind before, crypto or otherwise, then start at my “Quick(est) Start” guide:
Otherwise, if you have a digital payment app or an account at a cryptocurrency exchange, read on.
List of guides
For more specific help, choose the option that best describes you from the set below, or refer to my crypto quick-reference sheet:
“I have never used digital payment apps before.”
No stress! Start at my “Quick(est) Start” guide, which explains how to sign up for the most private of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, Gemini, where you can buy crypto and make payments.
“I already use a digital payment app.”
“I have an account at a cryptocurrency exchange.”
Paying your provider
One of the nice things about paying your provider in crypto is that it doesn’t really matter what apps the two of you have. If you have crypto, and they accept crypto payments, then you’re good to go. No more back-and-forth trying to figure out which app you both have accounts with!
Exactly how you send cryptocurrency to other people will differ slightly from one app to the other, but one thing is always the same: you need to know the crypto address of the intended recipient. So, let’s learn how to do that. Spoiler alert: you just have to ask.
Other ways to spend crypto (on your provider)
Having cryptocurrency is nice, in theory, but it doesn’t do much for you until you spend it. Here are some suggestions for what to do with the cryptocurrency assets you have, beyond booking your favorite provider, of course.
You can also use the suggestions on this page to practice the mechanics of actually spending crypto on something before you try to coordinate a real booking. Then, when you’re comfortable using crypto to make payments, you can graduate to spending that crypto to set up your dream date.
Have questions? I’m here for you!
Have questions? Ask your provider, or contact me directly! I’m genuinely happy to help you get started using cryptocurrency and would only ask for a tip or donation as a thank you!
