Payment Alternatives

Break free from payment processor censorship. Support creators and platforms directly.

⚑ URGENT Start using these methods NOW before traditional options disappear

Why Alternative Payments Matter

πŸ”“

Censorship Resistant

Can't be blocked by Visa, Mastercard, or activist pressure

🌍

Truly Global

Work across borders without arbitrary restrictions

πŸ›‘οΈ

Privacy Focused

Your purchases remain your business

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Future Proof

Build resilience against future censorship attempts

Cryptocurrency Payments

The ultimate censorship-resistant payment method

Monero (XMR)

Advanced

βœ… Pros

  • Complete transaction privacy
  • Fungible (all coins equal)
  • Lower fees than Bitcoin
  • Strong censorship resistance

❌ Cons

  • Less merchant adoption
  • More complex for beginners
  • Some exchanges delisting
  • Regulatory scrutiny

Setup for Privacy Advocates

  1. Download official Monero GUI wallet or Cake Wallet (mobile)
  2. Buy XMR on Kraken, TradeOgre, or via LocalMonero
  3. Use for maximum privacy and censorship resistance

Stablecoins (USDT/USDC)

Moderate

βœ… Pros

  • No price volatility (pegged to USD)
  • Fast transactions
  • Growing acceptance
  • Easy for pricing

❌ Cons

  • Some centralization concerns
  • Regulatory risks
  • Need to choose right network
  • Gas fees on some chains

Best for Beginners

USDT on Tron network or USDC on Polygon offer low fees and wide acceptance. Perfect bridge between traditional and crypto payments.

Direct Payment Methods

Traditional alternatives that bypass card networks

Bank Transfers / Wire

Easy

βœ… Pros

  • Direct bank-to-bank
  • No card network involvement
  • Suitable for large purchases
  • Established and trusted

❌ Cons

  • Not instant
  • Higher fees for international
  • Less convenient
  • Sharing bank details

Regional Options

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA

ACH transfers, Zelle, Wire transfers

πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί Europe

SEPA transfers, IBAN payments

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK

Faster Payments, BACS

πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia

PayID, BPAY, Direct debit

E-Wallets & Regional Payment Systems

Easy
Alipay

Massive in China, growing globally

WeChat Pay

Chinese market essential

Pix (Brazil)

Instant payments in Brazil

UPI (India)

Unified Payments Interface

M-Pesa

Mobile money in Africa

GCash/PayMaya

Philippines digital wallets

These bypass Western card networks entirely, making them resistant to Visa/Mastercard pressure.

Cash-Based Digital Options

Moderate
Paysafecard

Buy cards with cash at retail locations, redeem online. Still independent but under pressure.

Neosurf

Prepaid cards available in many countries. Good privacy option.

CASHlib

European prepaid voucher system. Growing acceptance.

⚠️

Warning: These services are also being pressured. Use while still available but have backups ready.

Platform-Specific Solutions

How to support your favorite platforms and creators

Supporting Steam Developers

Current Options

  • Buy directly from developer websites when available
  • Support via Patreon/SubscribeStar before Steam removal
  • Purchase on alternative platforms (itch.io, DLsite)
  • Buy Steam Wallet codes with cash at retail

If Steam Implements Restrictions

  • Use VPNs to access unrestricted regions
  • Gift games from unrestricted accounts
  • Support developers moving to crypto-friendly platforms
  • Organize bulk purchases through trusted intermediaries

itch.io Creators

Direct Creator Support

Many itch.io creators accept:

Ko-fi

One-time tips and memberships

Buy Me a Coffee

Similar to Ko-fi, creator-friendly

Direct crypto

Many list wallet addresses

SubscribeStar

Patreon alternative, adult-friendly

Adult Gaming Platforms

Established Alternatives

DLsite

Japanese platform, multiple payment options including crypto

JAST USA

Accepts Bitcoin, ships physical copies

Nutaku

Gaming-focused, own payment processing

F95Zone

Community-driven, direct creator support

Take Action Today

1

This Week

Set up at least one crypto wallet and buy a small amount to practice

2

This Month

Make your first alternative payment purchase to support a creator

3

Ongoing

Gradually shift more purchases to censorship-resistant methods

4

Share

Teach others these methods - network effects matter

Essential Resources

The Future is Decentralized

Every alternative payment is a vote against censorship. Start today.