From a Base USDC Top-Up to a Billed Call: Verifying Your Balance Is Spendable Before the First Request

From USDC on Base to a Billed API Call

Topping up with USDC on Base is straightforward, but seeing your balance credited and actually spendable requires a few checks. This guide walks through the sequence from sending USDC to confirming your first API call is billed, so you can be confident your funds are ready to use.

Step 1: Send USDC on Base to the Provided Address

When you initiate a top-up, you'll receive a deposit address on the Base network. Send USDC (on Base) to that address. Make sure you're using the correct network—sending on another chain may result in lost funds. The platform does not require KYC, so no identity verification is needed.

After sending, the transaction will be broadcast to the Base network. Confirmation typically takes a few seconds, but network congestion can delay it. Keep the transaction hash handy for tracking.

Step 2: Wait for Crediting

The platform monitors the deposit address and credits your account once the transaction is confirmed on-chain. Crediting is usually automatic, but it may take a short time after confirmation. There's no need to refresh obsessively—just give it a moment.

If you don't see the credit after a reasonable period, check the transaction status on a Base explorer. If it's confirmed but not credited, contact support with the transaction hash.

Step 3: Verify Your Balance Is Spendable

A credited balance should be immediately spendable. To confirm, check your account dashboard or use the API to query your balance. The balance shown should reflect the USDC amount minus any applicable fees (none for top-ups).

You can verify spendability by making a minimal API call—for example, a simple prompt to a low-cost model. If the call succeeds and your balance decreases accordingly, your funds are spendable.

Step 4: Understand the Billing Model

Your USDC balance is used to pay for API calls. The cost of each call is calculated as the official price of the model multiplied by 1.3. This multiplier covers operational costs and ensures the service remains sustainable. There are no hidden fees; the multiplier is applied transparently.

For example, if a model's official price for a request is $0.01, you would be charged $0.013. The exact pricing per model is available in the documentation.

Step 5: Make Your First API Call

Once your balance is credited and you have your API key, you can make your first call. Use any supported model—Claude, GPT, DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM, Kimi, etc.—with the same API key. The request will be processed, and the cost will be deducted from your balance.

After the call, check your usage dashboard or query the API for your balance again. You should see a reduction corresponding to the call cost.

Step 6: Confirm the Call Was Billed

To verify billing, review the usage logs or transaction history in your account. Each call should be listed with the model used, tokens consumed, and the charged amount. If you see the call recorded and your balance decreased, billing is working correctly.

If a call fails, you typically won't be charged. However, if you suspect an incorrect charge, contact support with the request ID.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Balance not credited: Ensure the transaction is confirmed on Base. If it is, wait a bit longer or contact support.
• Call fails due to insufficient balance: Double-check that your balance is credited and sufficient for the call. Remember the 1.3 multiplier.
• Unexpected charges: Review the usage logs; the multiplier is applied consistently. If discrepancies persist, reach out.

Contributing and Earning

If you contribute to the platform (e.g., by providing compute or resources), you can earn credits. Contributors are credited at official price × 1.1 (or × 1.2 for premium models) in USDC. This is separate from the user billing multiplier and is designed to reward contributions.

Conclusion

Verifying that your USDC top-up on Base is credited and spendable is a simple but important step before making API calls. By following this sequence—sending USDC, waiting for crediting, checking your balance, and making a test call—you can ensure a smooth experience. Remember that all calls are billed at official price × 1.3, and contributors earn at × 1.1/× 1.2. With your balance confirmed, you're ready to leverage multiple models through a single API key.