Blink

Blink TeamBlink Team
Jun 2, 2025
Jun 2, 2025

What is Blink Wallet?

Forget everything you think you know about Bitcoin wallets being complicated. Blink is the iPhone of Bitcoin wallets.
Formerly known as Bitcoin Beach Wallet, Blink is a user-friendly mobile app that brings Bitcoin to everyone—anywhere in the world. It was originally built for the Bitcoin Beach community in El Salvador, and it’s now helping people across the globe send, receive, and use Bitcoin effortlessly.
Whether you’re new to Bitcoin or a seasoned user, this guide walks you through everything you need to know to get started.

Key Features:

  • Dual Currency Support: Easily hold both Bitcoin (BTC) and Stablesats (USD equivalent)
  • Lightning Network: Fast, cheap Bitcoin transactions
  • Stablesats: Keep your value stable in USD while using Bitcoin's payment network
  • Simple Setup: Just your phone number required
  • Global Merchant Map: Find Bitcoin-accepting businesses
The most beautiful part? You can switch between "I want to hold Bitcoin because I think it'll go up" and "I just want stable dollars for my coffee money" with a single tap.

Prerequisites

Before you start, you'll need:
  • A smartphone (iOS or Android)
  • A phone number (for verification)
  • Internet access

Initial Setup

Here’s what shocked many users: Setting up Blink is faster than creating a social media account as there is no paperwork, no ID uploads, no waiting. Just fast and easy.
The entire process:
  • Download Blink Wallet
  • Create a Wallet
    • Tap “Create New Wallet”
    • Agree to terms and conditions
    • Enter your phone number
    • Verify using SMS or WhatsApp to receive your code
    • Enter the code to verify
  • Done, that’s It.
    • Your phone number becomes your login. That’s it.

Understanding Your Wallet Interface

When you open Blink Wallet for the first time, you'll see something refreshingly clean. No charts screaming at you, no flashing numbers, just your balance and some simple buttons.

Main Screen Overview

  • Total Balance: Shows combined value of Bitcoin and USD balances
  • Account Balances:
    • Bitcoin: Shown in sats (smallest Bitcoin unit)
    • Dollar:  Your value stable in USD
  • Action Buttons: Four buttons you need to know.
    • Convert
    • Receive
    • Send
    • Scan QR
  • Transaction History: All your previous transactions
  • Price Chart: Bitcoin price tracking (tap the chart icon)

Essential Settings & How to Set Up Your Lightning Address

Setting Up Your Lightning Address

  • Go to Settings → Your Lightning Address
  • Choose your custom address (e.g., "[email protected]")
  • This becomes your permanent Bitcoin address that anyone can use to send you money

Other Settings to Configure:

  • Default Currency: Choose how balances are displayed
  • Default Account: Choose where incoming funds go
  • Set your Email: Add an email for login recovery
  • On-Device Security: Enable PIN or biometrics
  • Transaction Limits: 
    • Receiving: Unlimited
    • Withdrawing: $2,000/day
    • Wallet-to-wallet transfers: $4,000/day

How to Receive Bitcoin Using Blink Wallet

Method 1: QR Code (Most Common)

  • Tap “Receive” on the Blink Wallet home screen.
  • Select the currency you want to receive:
    • Bitcoin (BTC), or
    • USD (Stablesats)
  • To request a specific amount:
    • Tap “Set Amount”
    • Enter the amount you want to receive
    • Share the generated QR code or payment link with the sender
  • To allow a flexible amount (no set value):
    • Skip the "Set Amount" step
    • Simply share the QR code
    • The sender decides how much to send
    • The sender decides how much to send

Method 2: Lightning Address

  • Share your lightning address ([email protected]) with anyone
  • They can send Bitcoin directly using just this address
  • No QR codes or invoices needed
  • Works with any Lightning-compatible wallet

Method 3: On-Chain Bitcoin (Traditional)

  • In the receive screen, tap "Onchain"
  • Use this for traditional Bitcoin transactions
  • Note: Higher fees and slower confirmation times
  • Best for larger amounts or when Lightning isn't available

How to Send Bitcoin Using Blink Wallet

Sending with QR Codes

  • Tap "Send" on the main screen
  • Tap the camera icon to scan a QR code
  • Choose which account to send from (Bitcoin or USD)
  • Review the amount and fee
  • Confirm the payment

Sending with Payment Requests/Invoices

  • Tap "Send"
  • Paste a payment request (copied from text/email)
  • Follow the same steps as QR code sending

Sending to Lightning Addresses

  • Tap "Send"
  • Type or paste the lightning address (looks like an email)
  • Enter the amount you want to send
  • Choose your sending account and confirm

Sending to Other Blink Users

  • Zero fees when sending to other Blink wallet users
  • Recipients automatically become contacts for easy future transactions

Converting Between Bitcoin and USD with Blink Wallet

One of Blink Wallet’s most powerful features is its seamless ability to convert between Bitcoin and Stablesats (USD). Follow this simple step-by-step guide:
  • Tap the "Convert" button on the main screen
  • Choose the conversion direction:
    • Bitcoin → USD
    • USD → Bitcoin
  • Set amount by:
    • Enter a specific Bitcoin or USD amount, or
    • Select a percentage of your balance (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%)
  • Review the conversion rate
  • Confirm the conversion to complete the process.
Use Cases:
  • Convert to USD when the Bitcoin price is dropping.
  • Convert to Bitcoin when you want to hold or invest long term.
  • Spend in USD to avoid price volatility in your daily transactions.
  • Switch between BTC and USD to take advantage of market movements.

Merchant Features on Blink Wallet

Finding Bitcoin-Accepting Businesses

  • Tap the "Map" icon at the bottom
  • Browse locations that accept Bitcoin payments
  • Tap any business to:
    • Send them a payment directly
    • Get directions via Google Maps

For Business Owners: Point of Sale Features

Access advanced merchant tools in Settings → Ways to Get Paid:
  • Lightning Cash Register:
    • Web-based point-of-sale terminal
    • Use on any device with a browser
    • Create invoices for specific amounts
  • Printable QR Codes:
    • Generate QR codes for your business
    • Print and display for customers to scan
    • No amount specified - customers choose how much to tip/pay
Get more insight on Blink POS, and explore valuable merchant resources in the Blink Branding and Onboarding resources.

Learning and Earning Bitcoin made EASY with Blink

The "Earn" section, located at the bottom of the main page, helps newcomers learn about Bitcoin while earning small amounts:
  • Tap "Earn" from the bottom menu
  • Complete short lessons about Bitcoin
  • Answer simple questions correctly
  • Earn sats for each completed lesson
  • Build your Bitcoin knowledge gradually
Topics covered include:
  • What is Bitcoin?
  • How does Lightning Network work?
  • Bitcoin vs traditional money
  • Security best practices

Important Trade-offs to Consider

Custodial Nature

Blink is a custodial wallet, meaning they hold and manage your funds on your behalf.
  • Pros: Simple setup, user-friendly interface, customer support available
  • Cons: You don’t control your private keys, which means you're relying on Blink to manage your funds

Transaction Limits

  • Daily limits exist
  • Limits can be increased upon request
  • Consider self-custody options for larger amounts

Privacy Considerations

  • Phone number required for account creation
  • Transaction history is stored on Blink's servers, which may not suit all privacy preferences

Getting the Most Out of Blink Wallet

Best Practices:

  • Start small - Practice with small amounts first
  • Use Lightning addresses - Share your address publicly for easy payments
  • Understand the difference - Know when to use Lightning vs on-chain
  • Keep learning - Use the earn section to build Bitcoin knowledge
  • Consider your needs - Evaluate if custodial solutions fit your use case

When to Use Each Feature:

  • Bitcoin balance: For long term holding/stacking
  • USD balance: For stable spending money, avoiding volatility
  • Lightning payments: For fast, cheap transactions
  • On-chain payments: For larger amounts or when Lightning isn't available

Getting Help and Next Steps

If You Need Support:

Advancing Your Bitcoin Journey:

As you become comfortable with Blink, you might want to explore:
  • Self-custody wallets for larger amounts
  • Running your own Lightning node
  • Hardware wallets for long-term storage
  • More advanced Bitcoin features

Final Thoughts: Simple, Powerful, and Ready for Everyday Use

Blink Wallet provides an excellent entry point into the world of Bitcoin. Its combination of ease-of-use, dual-currency support, and Lightning Network integration makes it ideal for:
  • Bitcoin beginners
  • Daily spending and receiving
  • Small to medium transactions
  • Learning about Bitcoin
  • Businesses accepting Bitcoin payments
While Blink Wallet is designed for ease and convenience, it’s always good to think about what works best for you, whether that’s privacy, control, or transaction limits. As you get more comfortable with Bitcoin, you can explore other wallet options that fit your needs
Blink Wallet is easy to use and built for real-world payments. Try it out, explore the features, and grow your confidence and understanding of Bitcoin through practical use.
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Author

This tutorial has been written by Blink Team

Blink TeamBlink Team
1Tutorials

Blink is an easy-to-use and secure Lightning wallet that allows everyone to easily manage their Bitcoin payments. With the integration of Stablesats, it offers the ability to hold, send, and receive funds in Bitcoin or stablecoins, while facilitating the daily use of the Lightning Network.

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Credits

This tutorial has been proofread by LoicPandul

1/3Proofreading status

Even if this content is in its original language, human review is necessary to ensure its accuracy.

Progress: 1/3LoicPandul1 120 sats560 sats
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Every content on the platform is the result of a collaborative effort: each lesson, translation, and revision is made possible by the work of contributors. For this reason, we are always looking for proofreaders who can review our content in many languages. If you want to participate in the proofreading process, please reach out in our Telegram group and read our tutorial. We remind you that this content is open-source - licensed under CC BY-SA - so it can be freely shared and used, as long as the original source is credited.