Crypto QR Code Generator: Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC Payment Codes

What Are Crypto QR Codes?

A crypto QR code is a machine-readable image that encodes a cryptocurrency address or payment URI. When scanned by a wallet app, it automatically fills in the recipient address, and optionally the amount and a label or memo. This eliminates the need to manually copy and paste long hexadecimal or alphanumeric strings, reducing the risk of errors that could send funds to the wrong address permanently.

QR codes have become the standard method for sharing cryptocurrency payment details in person and online. Every major wallet app includes a built-in QR scanner, and most exchanges support scanning QR codes for withdrawal addresses. The format works across all platforms: a QR code generated on a desktop browser can be scanned by any mobile wallet on iOS or Android.

Beyond simple address encoding, modern crypto QR codes use structured URI schemes that embed metadata directly into the code. Bitcoin uses BIP-21, Ethereum uses EIP-681, and Solana uses its own URI format. These standards ensure that the receiving wallet knows exactly which chain the payment is for, how much to send, and what to label the transaction.

Payment URI Standards by Chain

Each blockchain defines its own URI scheme for payment requests. These URIs follow a consistent pattern: a protocol prefix, followed by the address, followed by optional query parameters for amount, label, and other metadata.

BIP-21: Bitcoin Payment URIs

BIP-21 (Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 21) defines the standard format for Bitcoin payment requests. The URI starts with bitcoin: followed by the address. Optional query parameters include amount (in BTC), label (a human-readable name for the recipient), and message (a description of the payment). For example: bitcoin:bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtzq2n0yrf2493p83kkfjhx0wlh?amount=0.001&label=Coffee.

BIP-21 is universally supported by Bitcoin wallets. When a user scans a BIP-21 QR code, their wallet pre-fills the address and amount fields automatically. The amount is always denominated in BTC (not satoshis), and the label is URL-encoded to handle special characters.

EIP-681: Ethereum Payment URIs

EIP-681 defines the transaction request format for Ethereum. The URI starts with ethereum: followed by the target address. The value parameter specifies the amount in wei (the smallest unit of ETH, where 1 ETH = 10^18 wei). Additional parameters can specify the chain ID, gas limit, and even function calls for smart contract interactions.

For ERC-20 token transfers like USDC, EIP-681 supports encoding the token contract address and transfer function parameters. However, most wallet QR scanners handle the simpler address-only format more reliably, which is why this tool generates straightforward payment URIs for maximum compatibility.

Solana and Litecoin URIs

Solana uses its own URI scheme prefixed with solana: followed by a base58-encoded address. The amount parameter specifies the value in SOL. Solana wallets like Phantom and Solflare support scanning these QR codes natively.

Litecoin follows the same BIP-21 convention as Bitcoin, using litecoin: as its prefix. The parameters are identical: amount (in LTC), label, and message. This makes Litecoin QR codes immediately familiar to anyone who has used Bitcoin payment URIs.

Merchant and Business Use Cases

In-Store Point of Sale

Brick-and-mortar businesses can display crypto QR codes at checkout counters or on tablet-based POS systems. The cashier generates a QR code with the exact payment amount, and the customer scans it with their wallet app. This workflow matches the speed of traditional card payments and avoids the error-prone process of manually entering addresses. Many businesses generate a fresh QR code for each transaction to maintain clear accounting records.

Invoicing and E-Commerce

Online merchants can embed crypto QR codes in invoices, order confirmation pages, and payment emails. Including the amount and a reference label in the URI allows the merchant to match incoming payments to specific orders automatically. For subscription services, QR codes with pre-filled amounts streamline recurring manual payments.

Donations and Tipping

Content creators, nonprofits, and open-source projects use crypto QR codes to accept donations. A QR code on a website, live stream overlay, or printed flyer lets supporters send funds instantly. For tipping, QR codes with small suggested amounts (like 0.0001 BTC or 1 USDC) lower the friction of micro-payments.

Security Tips

Crypto transactions are irreversible. Once funds are sent to the wrong address, there is no chargeback or recovery mechanism. Follow these practices when using QR codes for payments:

• Always verify the address after scanning: check the first and last several characters of the address displayed in your wallet against the intended recipient
• Generate QR codes on trusted devices and websites only, as malicious tools could substitute a different address
• For large payments, send a small test transaction first to confirm the address is correct
• Be wary of QR codes in public places: attackers can place stickers over legitimate QR codes to redirect payments
• Double-check that the chain matches your wallet: sending Bitcoin to an Ethereum address (or vice versa) will result in permanent loss of funds
• When sharing QR codes online, use secure channels: QR code images can be intercepted and swapped by man-in-the-middle attackers

How to Use This Tool

Select the cryptocurrency chain from the dropdown. Enter the recipient address in the address field. Optionally add an amount and a label or memo. The tool generates the appropriate payment URI and renders a QR code that any compatible wallet can scan.

• The chain selector determines the URI prefix and address validation rules
• Address validation checks basic format requirements: Bitcoin addresses start with 1, 3, or bc1; Ethereum addresses start with 0x; Solana addresses are base58-encoded
• The amount field is optional: leave it blank to let the sender choose how much to send
• The label/memo field is URL-encoded automatically and displayed in the recipient's wallet
• Copy the generated URI or download the QR code image for use in invoices, websites, or printed materials

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Bitcoin QR code?

A Bitcoin QR code is a scannable image that encodes a Bitcoin address or a BIP-21 payment URI. When scanned by a Bitcoin wallet app, it automatically fills in the recipient address and optionally the payment amount and label. This eliminates manual address entry and reduces the risk of sending funds to the wrong address.

How do I create a crypto payment QR code?

Select your chain (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Litecoin, USDC, or USDT) from the dropdown above. Enter the recipient address, optionally add an amount and label, and the tool generates the QR code instantly. You can copy the payment URI or scan the QR code directly from the screen.

What is BIP-21?

BIP-21 (Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 21) is the standard that defines how Bitcoin payment URIs are formatted. It specifies the bitcoin: prefix followed by the address and optional query parameters like amount, label, and message. Every major Bitcoin wallet supports BIP-21 URIs for sending and receiving payments.

Can I include an amount in a crypto QR code?

Yes. Most blockchain URI standards support an amount parameter. For Bitcoin, the amount is specified in BTC (e.g., amount=0.001). For Ethereum, amounts are specified in wei via the value parameter. For Solana, the amount is in SOL. When the recipient scans the QR code, their wallet auto-fills the amount field.

Which wallets support QR code scanning?

Virtually all modern cryptocurrency wallets support QR code scanning. For Bitcoin: BlueWallet, Sparrow, Electrum, Phoenix, Muun, and Ledger Live. For Ethereum: MetaMask, Rainbow, Trust Wallet, and Coinbase Wallet. For Solana: Phantom and Solflare. Exchange apps like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken also support scanning QR codes for withdrawals.

Are crypto QR codes safe?

QR codes themselves are just data encoders: they are as safe as the data they contain. The risk lies in trusting a QR code from an unverified source. Always verify the decoded address in your wallet before confirming a transaction. Generate QR codes on trusted devices, and be cautious of QR codes displayed in public places that could have been tampered with.

How do merchants accept crypto with QR codes?

Merchants generate a unique QR code for each transaction, encoding the payment address and the exact amount owed. At checkout, the customer scans the QR code with their wallet and confirms the transaction. POS systems can generate these codes dynamically, and payment processors like BTCPay Server automate the process of creating invoices with embedded QR codes and tracking confirmations.

What chains support payment URIs?

Bitcoin (BIP-21), Ethereum (EIP-681), Solana, and Litecoin all have standardized payment URI formats. Most other UTXO-based chains like Bitcoin Cash and Dogecoin follow the BIP-21 convention with their own prefix. EVM-compatible chains like Polygon and Arbitrum use the Ethereum URI format with a chain ID parameter to distinguish networks.

This tool runs entirely in your browser. No addresses or payment data are sent to any server. Always verify addresses before sending cryptocurrency. This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.