In this extended article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process for using a cold, Bitcoin-first crypto wallet to pay for a variety of online purchases through the BTCDetect.com website. You can pay for Neverwinter with Bitcoin: purchase a gift card or Zen through a third-party service/exchange using BTC, and then top up your game account or exchange the currency in-game.
Important clarification
There’s currently no direct “Pay with Bitcoin” button in either the Neverwinter launcher or the Epic Games Store/Steam: Zen payments are processed through the platform’s payment systems (bank cards, wallets, etc.). Therefore, Bitcoin is used either through:
- crypto exchange and P2P/exchanger (withdrawal to fiat/cards, purchase Zen in the usual way),
- Services that accept cryptocurrency and issue gift cards or pay for purchases for you.
How Neverwinter’s donation system works
Neverwinter uses several types of currencies, but the key donation currency is Zen.
- Zen – purchased with real money and spent in the in-game store.
- Astral Diamonds (AD) are an in-game trading currency that can be exchanged for Zen through the in-game exchanger.
Hence, there are two basic scenarios:
- buy Zen for real money (via the Epic Games Store, Steam, Arc, or the website),
- farm AD and exchange it for Zen, but it takes a long time and is not always profitable.
The challenge is to integrate Bitcoin into the first path.
General scheme: how to “transform” Bitcoin into Zen
A simplified pipeline looks like this:
- BTC → USDT/fiat via an exchange or exchanger.
- USDT/fiat → card/e-wallet/virtual card.
- Top up Zen using a card/wallet (via Epic Games, Steam, Arc, or gift cards).
Alternative option:
- BTC → purchase a gift card (Steam/Epic/Xbox/PlayStation) through a service that accepts crypto.
- Card activation → top up platform balance → purchase Zen.
Option 1: Exchange + standard Zen payment method
It’s a technical but predictable path.
Step 1. Wallet and Exchange
- Create/prepare a crypto wallet where your BTC is stored (e.g. Trust Wallet, MetaMask with BTC support, hardware wallet, etc.).
- Register on a centralized exchange that supports BTC and P2P/fiat withdrawals.
- Please complete KYC if you plan to withdraw to fiat. Otherwise, limits will be low or withdrawals will be unavailable.
Step 2: Selling BTC
- Top up your BTC exchange account by sending coins from your wallet to the exchange’s deposit address.
- Sell BTC:
- either in the BTC/USDT trading pair,
- or directly into rubles/fiat, if there are local pairs.
USDT is more convenient if you continue to use the P2P market.
Step 3. Withdrawal to a payment instrument
There are several paths to take next, depending on where you have Neverwinter:
- Neverwinter via the Epic Games Store:
Zen replenishment is done through Epic payment methods (cards, wallets, etc.). - Neverwinter via Steam:
Steam in the Neverwinter case may limit the currency (for example, only rubles), but still accepts cards/wallets that convert currency automatically.
Practical options:
- P2P: Sell USDT/BTC through the exchange’s P2P section for a transfer to a card (MIR/SBP), then top up Epic/Steam with a regular card and buy Zen.
- Exchange card (crypto debit card): Some exchanges issue cards that allow you to spend crypto directly, but they are not always available in Russia.
Option 2: “Gaming” services (paying for games with crypto)
There are services that accept crypto (BTC/USDT, etc.), and then:
- They issue a virtual card that you use to pay in foreign stores,
- or they buy a digital product for you and give you a code (key/gift card).
Example scenario:
- Register with a service that:
- issues a virtual card,
- or sells gift cards for Steam/Xbox/PlayStation, etc.
- Top up your service balance with cryptocurrency (often USDT/Bitcoin), choosing a network and currency, and checking the minimum deposit and fees.
- You receive:
- or card details,
- or a gift card code.
- Use the card/code to:
- top up your Epic/Steam balance,
- Buy Zen for Neverwinter.
Pros:
- There’s no need to flash your bank cards, everything is wrapped up in the service.
- The commission can be easily calculated in advance using the service calculator.
Cons:
- Additional trust in the service (it is important to choose large and proven ones).
- Limits, KYC and sanctions may apply.
Option 3: Pay via a cryptocurrency payment gateway
Some foreign stores/services allow you to top up your balance or purchase digital goods (including games) directly if you pay with crypto through a payment gateway (BitPay and similar).
General scheme:
- On the website/in the service, select the “Crypto” payment method or a specific provider.
- The system generates:
- wallet address,
- amount in BTC,
- QR code and timer (payment must be made before the time runs out).
- Open your wallet, scan the QR code or copy the address, and send the exact amount.
- After the transaction is confirmed, the store credits the product/balance.
If a third-party store sells Zen or gift codes for Neverwinter and is integrated with a crypto gateway, you can purchase the desired item directly with BTC.
Option 4: Farm AD and trade in-game
Theoretically, you don’t have to donate at all:
- play, farm Astral Diamonds (AD),
- exchange them for Zen through the in-game exchange.
Then Bitcoin is only needed for:
- purchase of services/account,
- or not needed at all if you are willing to spend time instead of money.
This route is slow, the AD→Zen exchange rate can be unfavorable, and exchange limits limit the speed.
Legality: What is important for Russian players to remember?
In the Russian Federation, the use of Bitcoin for settlements in ruble-denominated jurisdictions is expressly prohibited by the law on digital financial assets (as a means of payment). However, the law permits cryptocurrency payments on foreign platforms.
Key points:
- It is not legal to use cryptocurrency directly to pay for goods/services in the Russian Federation.
- You can use cryptocurrency as an investment asset and pay for goods and services on foreign websites if they accept it.
- When working with foreign services, it is important to consider currency controls and tax obligations if the amounts involved are significant.
Practical safety recommendations
Given your interests in cybersecurity and crypto, here are some practical rules.
- Wallets and phishing
- Always download wallets and applications only from official websites/stores.
- Check the domain of the service that accepts crypto (SSL, spelling, reputation).
- QR codes and addresses
- When paying through a crypto gateway, check the amount and network (BTC mainnet, Lightning, etc.).
- Never enter seed phrases on websites other than your wallet, and only in the local application.
- Choosing an exchanger/service
- Use exchange aggregators with reviews and ratings.
- Keep amounts above the “comfortable” level in cold wallets, not on services.
- Commissions and courses
- Compare BTC/USDT/fiat rates across multiple platforms, especially before making a large payment.
- Consider network and service fees: sometimes it’s cheaper to first convert to USDT and pay through cheaper blockchains if the service supports it.
An example of a complete scenario for a player from the Russian Federation
Let’s say you play through the Epic Games Store and want to purchase a Zen Pack using Bitcoin:
- You have BTC in your wallet.
- You create an account on the exchange, deposit BTC and sell it for USDT, then sell the USDT via P2P for a transfer to your card.
- Once you’ve received rubles/fiat on your card, go to the Epic Games Store, Neverwinter page, and purchase Zen virtual currency in the standard way.
- Zen is credited to your account and you spend it in the store.
In fact, you “paid for Neverwinter with Bitcoin,” although formally there was an exchange to fiat and a standard payment along the way.
