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How to get started with Shakepay

Whether you’re here for the card, the cashback, or just curiosity, this guide will help you get started and familiar with Shakepay.

Shakepay

• 19 min read
How to get started with Shakepay

Overview

If you’re new here, welcome! And if you’re wondering where to start, you’re not alone.

More and more Canadians are discovering Shakepay, not just for bitcoin, but for something bigger: A faster, simpler, and more rewarding way to manage your money, without the baggage of traditional banking, all while earning and accumulating bitcoin.

But with so many cool features to explore, and new concepts to understand, it can be difficult to know where to start.

That’s why we’re here! Whether you’re here for the card, the cashback, or just curiosity, this guide will help you get started and familiar with Shakepay.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Always do your own due diligence and consult a registered financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Quick glossary for the crypto-curious

Before we dive in, here are a few terms you might see around the app that are good to know:

  • Bitcoin (BTC): The original digital currency that runs on a decentralized network. Think of it like internet-native money.
  • Ethereum (ETH): Another digital asset, known for powering smart contracts and apps.
  • Fiat currency: Government-issued currency, such as CAD or USD.
  • KYC (Know your customer): This is a process for verifying the identity of customers to prevent crime.
  • Sats (or Satoshis): Tiny units of bitcoin. There are 100,000,000 sats in 1 BTC. 
  • ShakingSats: Sats earned by shaking your phone (yes, really). 

Why more and more Canadians are turning to Shakepay 

It’s not just to buy bitcoin. More than ever, Canadians are looking to move away from clunky traditional banking experiences and into a faster, simpler, and more rewarding way to manage money.

You might be here because you heard about:

  • Earning bitcoin cashback with the Shakepay Card
  • Instant money transfers between friends
  • No-fee deposits and withdrawals
  • Or the free bitcoin you can earn just by shaking your phone

But here’s the bigger picture:

Shakepay isn’t just a platform to buy and sell bitcoin. It’s a modern financial app designed to give you more control, more rewards, and way fewer hoops to jump through.

Shakepay is designed for both beginners and experts alike and built with security at its core. So, even if you only know the basics (or don’t know them at all), you’re in the right place.  

“I already have a bank account. Why do I need Shakepay?”

The answer is simple: Shakepay does what your bank won’t.

  • Want to earn better rewards on your spending? Shakepay gives you bitcoin back, not fiat cashback or points that will expire (or you’ll forget to redeem). 
  • Want access to your rewards quicker? You can hold them, send them, or sell them - whenever you want, unlike cards that send you your rewards once a year. 
  • Want to send money fast? Peer-to-peer transfers are instant, free

Think of it as a companion to your bank account. Only…lighter, friendlier, and with the ability to help you build wealth with bitcoin.

“But I don’t know that much about bitcoin.” 

That’s okay! We all start somewhere.

Think of bitcoin like digital money. It isn’t owned by the bank or the government. It’s designed to be open and secure and it’s available to everyone around the globe.

More and more people are exploring Bitcoin as a way to diversify their savings and potentially offset the effects of inflation. While Bitcoin’s price can go up and down, many see it as a long-term store of value that could help protect—and even grow—wealth over time. It’s not without its ups and downs, but for those looking to build for the future, it’s becoming an option worth considering.

And Shakepay gives you the power to participate in growing that wealth in a really simple, secure way.

You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need to have a lot of money to invest with. You don’t even have to buy bitcoin on day one. In fact, many of our shakers start with the Shakepay Card or e-Transfer®  without even touching the exchange. 

All you need to do is take the first step. And we’re here to help you do that—on your terms.

Let’s get you set up (it only takes a few minutes)

Getting started is quick and easy—you’ll be able to send money or buy bitcoin in as little as 10 minutes. 

You just need:

  • Your email address
  • A valid, Canadian phone number (sorry, no VOIP numbers accepted) 
  • A Canadian address 
  • A comfy spot to sit

Once you download the Shakepay app, create your account by entering your email address and a secure password (make sure it’s a good one; see our dos and don’ts for choosing a strong password). 

Next, you’ll receive an email to verify your identity. This will grant you access to all of Shakepay’s features, including the Shakepay card. Here’s what you’ll need to complete verification:

  1. Valid government-issued ID: This can be a driver’s licence or passport (we don’t accept provincial health cards)
  2. A security selfie video: Make sure you’re in well-lit area and follow the on-screen instructions to take your video. You may need to grant the app permission to use your camera (check your phone’s setting to enable access). 

Once you’ve submitted your selfie video and the photo of your ID, we’ll review your documents, and you’ll receive your verification status via email in as little as a few minutes.

First day on Shakepay

Now that you’re verified, it’s time to take Shakepay for a test drive. 

Here’s a few places you can start.

Fund your account!

Your Shakepay account is ready—you just need to load it up. You can start with as little as $10. No fees, no stress.

Here’s how to load your wallet:

  • Tap “Add Funds”
  • Select Interac e-Transfer® 
  • Use your designated e-Transfer question and answer to send from your bank like any regular e-Transfer

Your funds will arrive in minutes (if not seconds).  

Note: Only you can send funds to your Shakepay account from an external bank account. Make sure that your e-Transfer name exactly matches the name on your Shakepay account to make sure we can accept it automatically.

Next: Set up your Shakepay Card

The Shakepay Card is your fast track to stacking sats. It’s a free prepaid Visa that earns you bitcoin rewards every time you spend. 

You can activate your virtual card instantly and start using it right away. Whether it’s coffee, groceries, or your next concert ticket—you’ll be earning bitcoin just by living your life.

To make things a little easier, try adding your card to your digital wallet. 

Here’s how to install your card to if you have Apple Pay

  1. Update your app to the latest version
  2. Open the Shakepay app
  3. Click the Shakepay Card tab (💳 icon)
  4. Click on Add to Apple wallet
  5. Tap on Continue
  6. Tap on Add to iPhone
  7. Verify your name and the last 4 digits of your card
  8. Click Confirm

Here’s how to install your card if you have Google Pay

There are two ways you can set up the Shakepay Card in Google Pay:

Option 1

  1. Log into your Shakepay app
  2. Open the Shakepay Card tab (💳 icon) 
  3. Click on "Add to G Pay"
  4. Confirm the prompt and accept the Google Pay Terms of Service
  5. Set up a screen lock (if you do not have one already)
  6. Your Shakepay Card should now be added to your Google Pay! In some cases, a few more steps are required:
    1. Sometimes, the card setup will require verifying the card using the method you have set up with your bank.
    2. This is usually a 2 factor authentication SMS text message with a code, you can then enter the verification code and your card should now be fully functional!

Option 2

  1. Open the Google Pay App
  2. Click on "Add to Wallet" on the bottom right corner
  3. Select "Payment Card" and then "New credit or debit card"
  4. Enter your card details that found by swiping the card image on the card tab of the Shakepay app
  5. Agree to the terms and conditions
  6. Your Shakepay Card should now be added to your Google Pay!

And that’s it! Congrats—your Shakepay Card is installed and ready to use out in the wild. 

Start shaking

ShakingSats is one of the most-loved features in Shakepay, and it works exactly how it sounds - by shaking your phone.

Once you refer a friend and they sign up, you unlock ShakingSats: a daily reward where you earn free bitcoin just by shaking your phone once a day. The longer your streak, the more sats you can earn. 

Psst: You can start shaking right away if you signed up with a referral code. You also have 30 days to add a referral code to your account—just use this link.

Congrats! You now own your very first sats. That’s a pretty big deal!

First week: Dial up the notch

Make your first purchase

You’re officially a Shaker and your account is funded. It’s time to make your first purchase with your card! 

Your Shakepay Card can be used anywhere that Apple and Google Pay are supported and at online merchants who accept prepaid cards. That includes merchants in Canada and internationally.

To make an in-store purchase, simply unlock your phone, open your digital wallet, and select the Shakepay Card. Then tap your phone against the card reader until you get confirmation of payment.

To make an online purchase, simply enter your card details when filling out your payment info. Your card details can be found on the card tab (at the bottom of the app). Simply tap the card and verify your identity and your card will “flip” to display your details. 

Remember! Spending comes directly from your Shakepay Canadian dollar balance, so before you make any purchases, ensure you’re topped up with (easily done with an Interac e-Transfer®).

For more information on how to use your Shakepay card, click here.

Turn on Round up 

Round up is the easiest way to grow your bitcoin savings without even thinking about it. 

Every time you make a purchase with your Shakepay Card, we’ll round up the total to the next dollar—and invest the spare change into bitcoin. So, if you buy a coffee for $3.50, we’ll round it up to $4 and drop the extra $0.50 into your bitcoin balance. It’s like digital spare change, but instead of sitting in your wallet, it helps you stack sats on autopilot.

Start earning interest

Make your money work for you! When you opt into Shakepay Interest, you earn bitcoin on the cash balance you hold in Shakepay. There’s no extra steps required—your crypto grows a little more every week, just by sitting there. There’s no lock ups or long term commitments, either. You’re in full control, and you can access your funds anytime.

What does earning interest actually mean?

Interest rates represent the cost of borrowing money (or the income you earn for saving it). When interest is applied to your savings account or an investment, it means you’ll be paid out more than what you deposited.

So, just like a savings account at a bank pays you a little extra for keeping your money there, Shakepay pays you weekly interest when you keep bitcoin in your wallet.

First month: Take it to the next level

By now, you should know your way around and are starting to feel fairly confident. You’re shaking every day, using the Shakepay Card for your daily purchases and you’re earning interest in bitcoin!

So, what’s next? Here are some ways you can take things to the next level.

Get paid into Shakepay

Set up direct deposit to have some (or all) of your paycheque land straight in your Shakepay account. 

Did you know: Enabling direct deposit unlocks a couple things?

You boost your interest rate: When you opt into Shakepay Interest, you receive the base rate with the option to receive the ✨ bonus rate ✨ if you have qualifying payroll direct deposits (at least $2,000 in the past 33 days). So long as you continue to meet this criteria, you will continue to receive the bonus rate.

You turn on auto-buy: An easy way to stack without thinking, this feature lets you automatically convert a portion of your direct deposits into bitcoin or ethereum. Here’s how to set it up in the app:

  1. Click on “Add funds”
  2. Select Direct deposit
  3. Select “Auto-buy”
  4. Enter the amount you would like to purchase
  5. Click “Review order”
  6. Review the details
  7. Click “Confirm”

Join a Shakesquad

Squad up with friends to boost your bitcoin cashback when you all spend with your Shakepay Cards. Not only will you earn cashback on your own purchases, you’ll earn sats for every purchase your squad mate makes. 

Pay a bill

You can pay your bills right from your cash balance—just like a regular banking app. Utilities, credit cards, phone bill, you name it.

Here’s a rundown of some of our most popular features—and how to unlock them.

ShakingSats

Sure, you might get some strange looks if you shake your phone in public. But they don’t know you’re earning free, daily bitcoin when you do, so, joke’s on them.

There are three ways you can unlock ShakingSats:

  1. Sign up to Shakepay with a referral code and you’ll be able to shake right away
  2. Didn’t sign up with a referral code? No worries - just add one to your account within 30 days of sign up [link]
  3. Didn’t sign up with a referral code and it’s past 30 days? Just have someone sign up using your own referral code and they’ll unlock ShakingSats for the both of you!  

Consistency is key!

The more consecutive days you shake, the higher the amount of sats you will receive. As long as you are connected to the Internet, you’ll be able to shake your device and keep your streak going! 

Missed a day?

If you don’t shake before midnight EST, your streak will reset to day 1 the next time you open your app to shake. 

Don’t fret too much if you miss a day, though. It happens to us all! The author of this very post told herself she’d shake after one last TikTok (it’s never just one) and broke a 20-day streak after forgetting entirely. 

The point is: Don’t sweat the reset! Life happens, but every shake earns you sats - and every sat counts. So, open the app, shake again, and start your streak anew. 

Psst! Here’s a look at some of our highest streakers:

Here’s how to start shakin’ and earnin’

To earn those sats, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Shakepay app
  2. Shake your phone while on the Shakepay home screen until you receive a pop up letting you know your shake was confirmed. 
  3. Bask in the glory of a shake well shaken

👀 Did you know that:

ShakingSats’s origin story is rooted in an April Fools joke?

The Shakepay Card

What if you could earn bitcoin with every purchase you made? Sort of like an AirMiles card, but for bitcoin (and with better rewards, in our not-so-unbiased opinion). 

That’s what the Shakepay Card is. It’s the easiest way to passively earn bitcoin, all while making your everyday purchases. Every time you use your card, you get up to 3% rewards, paid out in bitcoin to your Shakepay account. No annual fees, no credit checks. 

How it works:

  • Fund your account 
  • Shop at any online or in-store merchant that supports Visa cards, or pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay
  • Earn 1% bitcoin cashback
  • Earn an additional 2% on the first $3,000 for 90 days

That’s it! 

To qualify for the Shakepay Card, you must have a fully verified Shakepay account, be a Canadian resident, and only be a tax resident of Canada (and not any other country).

Here’s how to sign up for the Shakepay Card:

  1. Log into your Shakepay account using the mobile app
  2. Click on the card tab (💳 icon)
  3. Click on "Get Started"
  4. Answer the questionnaire to see if you are eligible for the Shakepay Card

Once you finish the questionnaire and agree to our cardholder agreement, you'll be issued your virtual Shakepay Card, and you can start earning bitcoin—just by making daily purchases.  

Recurring buys

This feature allows you to “set it and forget it” by establishing a schedule (every day, week, month) to automatically buy a certain amount of bitcoin or ethereum. So, there’s no need to worry about timing your purchases. Channel that excess mental energy into something more productive (like remembering to shake).

In fact, a lot of Shakers use Recurring buys to help them DCA (Dollar-cost average) to stack bitcoin. This approach is effective because you don’t have to worry about timing the market and predict short term price movements (a notoriously difficult thing to do). Instead, with DCA: 

  • When prices are high, your fixed investment buys fewer units
  • When prices are low, your fixed investment buys more units.

This steady approach allows you to lower your average cost per unit and reduces the impact of volatility. 

Note: Your recurring buy will only go through if there’s enough CAD in your Shakepay account. 

To set up Recurring buy, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Shakepay app
  2. Click on bitcoin or ethereum
  3. Click “Recurring buys”
  4. Input the amount you want to buy each time
  5. Select the frequency you wish to buy (i.e. daily, weekly, monthly) 
  6. Click Review Order and hit “Confirm”

Round up

Round up is a feature of the Shakepay Card that turns your spare change into sats. When you buy something with your Shakepay Card, we round it up to the next dollar, and convert the extra into bitcoin for you.

This lets you stack sats in a way that’s simple, automated, and not all that noticeable on your budget.

For example, a $5.50 purchase gets rounded up to $6.00—and you purchase $0.50 worth of bitcoin. 

Some of our top rounders have bought 5 million, 10 million, even 15 million sats from using Round up alone!

Want to take things to the next level? Enabling Additional round ups help you stack even faster. So, instead of just rounding up to the next dollar, you can choose to round up an additional$1, $2, or $5 on top of that.

So, if you enable a $2 additional round up, that $5.50 gets rounded up to $8.00, and you purchase $2.50 worth of bitcoin. 

Here’s how to enable Round up:

  1. Make sure your app is up to date
  2. Open the card tab in the Shakepay app
  3. Toggle “Round Up” on and off from there.

Send money 

Did you know that you can send money instantly to anyone else in Canada directly from the Shakepay app—even if they don’t have Shakepay? It’s seamless and incredibly fast.

Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Open the Shakepay app
  2. Click “Send”
  3. Select Interac e-Transfer® 
  4. Tap “Select a recipient”
  5. Select the recipient from your Contacts, or add a new recipient
  6. Input the amount you wish to send
  7. Create a security question and security answer for your recipient to answer
  8. Confirm the transaction!

Interest

Shakepay Interest allows you to earn bitcoin on the CAD balance you hold on Shakepay! 

That means while your money sits, your bitcoin grows. 

There’s no minimum balance requirement. And just like the Shakepay Card, there are no extra steps, no market timing—just effortless stacking while having cash in your account.

Here’s how it works:

  • Enroll in-app and start earning—it’s as simple as that
  • Earn a base rate of 2.00% on your CAD balance
  • Want more? Boost your rate to 3.50% with $2,000+ in payroll direct deposits per month
  • Collect interest (paid weekly in bitcoin)

Please note, the APY (Annual Percentage Yield) could change over time. For more information, be sure to check out our FAQ page about Shakepay Interest.

Join a shakesquad

When you join a #ShakeSquad, you earn bonus sats on each other’s Shakepay Card purchases!

A ShakeSquad can have up to 5 members. Whenever a fellow squad member uses their Shakepay Card, everyone in the squad gets 42 bonus sats. We call these “bonus” sats because you get them on top of your regular cashback rewards.

Creating a #ShakeSquad 

If you’ve used your Shakepay Card before, you can create your own #ShakeSquad now in the Shakepay app. Start in the Card tab and look for the big blue button that says “Create a #ShakeSquad.” 

Once you name your squad and choose an emoji emblem, you can send invites to your friends using their Shaketags.

Joining a #ShakeSquad 

Aside from creating your own, #ShakeSquads are invite-only. When you get an invite, take a minute to feel special—you were chosen by someone who wants to stack sats with you and that is a special bond. 

Need some help finding squad mates? Head over to our #shakesquad channel on Discord!

Safety first: Keeping your Shakepay account secure

Whether you’re sending a few dollars to a friend or an opportunity to build your digital wealth in bitcoin, your account’s security is top priority—and we’re serious about protecting it.

Here’s how we keep your account safe (plus a few things you can do to stay secure).

Enable TOTP (A stronger form of two-factor authentication)

All accounts are secured by 2FA, but we do recommend enabling TOTP-based 2FA using an Authenticator app.

TOTP, short for Time-based One-Time Password, adds an extra layer of protection to your account by requiring a one-time code (from an app like Google Authenticator) in addition to your password when you log in.

Think of it like a safe that has a brand new code every 30 seconds. Even if someone learns your code, it’s no longer usable less than a minute later. 

Why TOTP matters:

  • It helps prevent unauthorized logins
  • It's quick to set up, and you'll only need it when logging in or making changes
  • It protects you from SIM swap attacks, a common attack vector from bad actors
  • It makes it easier to log in while you’re abroad or outside of regular cell service

To set it up: Go to Settings > Security > Enable 2FA in the Shakepay app.

Locking your card

Suspicious transaction? No worries! You can freeze your Shakepay Card instantly with a single tap.

Why it matters:

  • You stay in control at all times
  • If something doesn’t feel right, you can pause spending immediately
  • Unlock it just as easily once everything checks out

What Shakepay does to keep you safe

You trust us with your sensitive data—and we take that responsibility very seriously. It’s why we use industry best practices to keep everything safe and secure. That means strong physical, digital, and behind-the-scenes safeguards.

Only the people who need to see your personal info to do their jobs can access it, and we’ve set up strict controls to make sure everything stays secure. We collect and use only the info that’s necessary for the job, and we’ve built systems to make sure it doesn’t end up in the wrong hands—or get lost along the way. 

Anytime your data moves between you and our platform, it’s encrypted with something called Transport Layer Security, which is an industry-standard protocol for safe online communication.

Plus: All sensitive info, like your bank account details or ID verification media, get extra layers of protection, a requirement under the Canadian privacy laws.

Your Canadian dollars are protected

We are regulated through the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). That means that cash balances in your Shakepay account are held in trust and are eligible for CIPF (Canadian Investor Protection Fund) coverage through our custodian. So, your money is insured up to $1 million in the unlikely event that something happens to our custodian. Note: CIPF protects cash balances only, not crypto assets.

Your money is held 1:1 with approved custodians and kept separate from operational funds, and CIRO adds an extra layer of oversight. Your money is never used or lent out without your permission; it’s fully held and available to you at all times. 

Your crypto is also protected

The vast majority of crypto assets on Shakepay are held in offline cold storage with industry-leading custodians, and are protected by commercial insurance policies against certain types of loss—including theft or hacking.

Here’s a few more ways we bake security into our systems:

  • Regulated in Canada: We’re a registered Money Services Business with FINTRAC and CIRO regulated
  • Real-time fraud monitoring: We alert you if anything looks off
  • SOC 2 certified: We’ve passed an independent audit proving that we follow strict standards for keeping your data secure.
  • Encryption at rest: Your personal data are stored using 256-bit AES encryption, which means data retrieved by any bad actors would be illegible.
  • Encryption in transit: We use HTTPS for all connections between app and server and passwords are hashed and personal data is encrypted before stored.
  • Device lock: Lock access to the Shakepay app with Face ID, biometric unlock, pattern, or PIN code.

The bottom line is: your privacy and security are built into everything we do.

Visit our security page to learn more about what we're doing to secure your money, account, and personal data at Shakepay.

Got a question? Need help? We’ve got you 

In-app chat support

If you’re looking for a fast answer, you can start a chat with us in the app! 

  • Head over to Settings
  • Click Help > Support chat
  • Start a conversation with our support team

You can also get support directly from our website. Simply click on the blue chat icon in the bottom left corner of the page.

Help Center

If you want to dive even deeper, our Help Center is packed with easy-to-follow guides, FAQs, and step-by-step walkthroughs. 

Community 

One of the great things about Shakepay is that the community isn’t just a side feature—it’s a core part of the Shaker experience. What started as a few people sharing their streaks, tips, and wins has grown into a beloved hub of connection and good vibes.

Today, you’ll find an incredibly active community across X and Reddit, where people share everything from ShakeSquad invites and bitcoin news to inside jokes and milestone streaks. It’s where new shakers find their footing, and long-time users come to connect, learn, and celebrate each other.

Whether you’re just starting your first streak or deep into your crypto journey, there’s a whole crew of people ready to welcome you in.

You’re ready! What’s next?

Now that your Shakepay account is set up, here are a few simple ways to start exploring:

  • Shake your phone (if you haven’t already)
  • Buy bitcoin or ethereum—even just $1. No pressure, no commitment. It’s a simple way to get comfortable and see how it all works.
  • Join a Shakesquad—or start your own and invite some friends!

Reminder: take it at your own pace. You don’t have to go from zero to a hundred overnight. Start small and take it one feature at a time. 

Your future self will thank you

You joined Shakepay to do something different—and that matters. Whether you’re here for bitcoin, better rewards, or just to try something new, you’ve already taken a powerful first step towards a more rewarding financial future. 

This isn’t just about today’s purchases. It’s about building a foundation for your future. Every tap and shackle is a sat stacked and an investment in the life you want to create. Your future self will thank you for getting started now.

So, welcome! This is just the beginning—and we’re glad you’re here.

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