Quick answer
Can I buy OpenAI API credits with crypto?
Not from OpenAI. As of 22 October 2026, API credits are bought in US dollars with a standard credit or debit card; “Prepaid cards cannot be used to purchase API credits”, and some models require identity or business verification. ChatGPT gift cards do not pay for the API. An OpenAI-compatible API paid in crypto, such as LLMwithCrypto for open-weight models, is the alternative.
Which payment methods does the OpenAI API accept?
As listed on OpenAI’s own pages on 22 October 2026.
| Payment method | Where or when |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | No prepaid cards |
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Does OpenAI ask for ID before API access?
For some models and features. OpenAI’s organization verification asks for business and/or identity verification, with a government photo ID and possibly a selfie, “before you can use certain products, features, models”. Organizations that are not approved keep the access they already have.
Can I buy someone else’s OpenAI API key?
Not within OpenAI’s rules. Its Services Agreement says “Customer may not resell or lease access to its Account” and bans any attempt to “buy, sell, or transfer API keys” with a third party. A bought key can be revoked at any moment, and whoever sold it can see what you send through it. The guide to cheap AI API keys explains the warning signs.
What does LLMwithCrypto offer instead?
An OpenAI-compatible endpoint for open-weight models, paid per token in crypto with no KYC. Code written for the OpenAI SDK keeps working: set base_url to https://llmwithcrypto.com/api/v1, use your LLMwithCrypto key, and change the model name.
- gpt-oss-120b, OpenAI’s own open-weight model under Apache 2.0: $0.142 input and $0.57 output per million tokens.
- DeepSeek V4 Pro: $1.254 input and $3.762 output per million tokens.
GPT-5 and OpenAI’s other closed models are not available. We do not sell access to GPT, Claude, Gemini or Grok: their makers forbid reselling API access without their approval, and we do not have it.
OpenAI API payment questions
Can I top up OpenAI API credits with a prepaid card?
No. OpenAI’s help page says “Prepaid cards cannot be used to purchase API credits—only standard credit or debit cards are supported”.
Do ChatGPT gift cards work for the API?
No. OpenAI’s gift card article says ChatGPT gift cards are separate from API prepaid billing.
Is gpt-oss the same as GPT-5?
No. gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b are open-weight models OpenAI published under Apache 2.0, which anyone may host. GPT-5 and OpenAI’s other closed models are not offered here.
How do I switch my code to LLMwithCrypto?
Change the base URL and the key in your OpenAI client, then pick a model id from the models page. The guide to switching the OpenAI SDK has the details.
Sources (5)
- OpenAI API: help center — OpenAI (read 2026-10-22)
- OpenAI API: help center — OpenAI (read 2026-10-22)
- OpenAI API: help center — OpenAI (read 2026-10-22)
- OpenAI API: help center — OpenAI (read 2026-10-22)
- OpenAI API: terms — OpenAI (read 2026-10-22)