Topping Up With USDC on Base and Confirming It Before Your First Call
A step-by-step guide to funding your API account with USDC on Base, from getting the deposit address to confirming your balance before making your first chat completion call.
Why Base and USDC for API Access
Using USDC on Base keeps top-ups fast and low-cost, and it lets you fund your account without sharing personal information. This guide walks through the deposit flow specific to Base so you can verify funds before spending them on a first chat completion.
Getting Your Deposit Address
- Sign in to your API dashboard.
- Navigate to the Billing or Top Up section.
- Select USDC on Base as your deposit method.
- Copy the unique deposit address shown.
Each account has its own address, so always use the one displayed in your dashboard. Do not reuse addresses from other services or send to a different network.
Sending USDC on the Base Network
- From your wallet or exchange, initiate a USDC transfer on the Base network.
- Paste your dashboard deposit address as the recipient.
- Double-check the network is Base—sending on Ethereum or another chain may result in lost funds.
- Confirm the transaction in your wallet and wait for it to be broadcast.
Base transactions typically confirm quickly, but network congestion can cause delays. Keep your transaction hash for reference.
Confirming the Deposit Before Your First Call
After sending, return to your dashboard. Deposits usually appear within a few minutes, but may take longer during peak times. To verify:
- Check the Billing or Balance section for an updated USDC balance.
- Look for a recent transaction entry matching your transfer.
- If your balance hasn't updated, wait a few minutes and refresh. You can also check the transaction status on a Base block explorer using your transaction hash.
Do not attempt a chat completion until your balance reflects the deposit. Most API calls will fail if your balance is insufficient.
Making Your First Chat Completion
Once your balance is confirmed, you can create an API key if you haven't already. Use that key with any supported model. A simple test request—such as a short prompt—will confirm your account is funded and your key works.
Remember that usage is billed at the official price multiplied by 1.3, and the cost is deducted from your USDC balance. For heavy users, contributing keys can earn credits at official price multiplied by 1.1 (or 1.2 for premium models), paid in USDC.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Sending USDC on the wrong network (always Base).
- Using an address from a different account or service.
- Assuming instant credit—allow a few minutes for confirmation.
- Ignoring minimum deposit amounts if applicable (check your dashboard).
By following these steps, you can fund your account confidently and start using the API without interruptions.