> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.paymento.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.paymento.io/api-documentation/api-overview.md).

# API Overview

Integrate thousands of cryptocurrencies in 5 easy steps

To integrate with Paymento, you'll first need to create a merchant account at [https://app.paymento.io](https://app.paymento.io/) and obtain an API Key. This key is essential for all API calls, enabling your application to communicate with Paymento's services.

* **Base URL:** `https://api.paymento.io`
* **Authentication:** send your key in the `Api-Key` header on every call.
* **Responses:** every response has the shape `{ success, message, body }`. Check `success` — a refused request still returns HTTP `200`.

Before your first payment, set your IPN (callback) URL once with the [Set Payment Settings API](/api-documentation/additional-apis/manage-payment-settings.md).

The figure below shows how stores connect with Paymento through APIs.

<figure><img src="https://1349701107-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJHb4mMI51Qf1IN0bWcbg%2Fuploads%2FqSLnZUE9QJttAdir87Vl%2Fapi-overview.png?alt=media&amp;token=0b5cf8f3-8a58-47a4-a218-90cb177bd778" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1\) To initiate a payment, your online store must send a payment request to the Paymento API.

2\) A successful request will create an order for the transaction and return a token in the response. This token is used to redirect the user to the payment page.

3\) With the token received from creating the payment request, redirect the user to the Paymento payment page where they can choose from the allowed cryptocurrencies to complete the payment.

* **Payment URL:** `https://app.paymento.io/gateway?token=TOKEN_HERE`

Replace `TOKEN_HERE` with the token you received in the previous step.<br>

4\) As the payment progresses, Paymento sends signed status updates to your IPN URL, and the customer's browser is redirected back to your Return URL. See [Payment Callback](/api-documentation/payment-callback.md).

5\) It's crucial to verify the payment to finalize the order on your end. Upon receiving the payment notification, call the [Verify Payment API](/api-documentation/payment-verify.md) with the token to confirm the payment status.

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