What is SkinPay?
This payment method is unique in that players do not use real money to make payments but instead use
virtual currency known as skins. This payment service is often used in the gaming or gambling world, where players can pay with acquired skins or exchange them for real money to use as they wish. SkinPay is most popular among players of the hit PC games
Counter-Strike 2 and
Dota 2. On its official website, SkinPay claims to
accept more than 90% of skins (specifically over 27 million skins), with more than 500 connected websites and almost
seven million users. While Dota 2 offers more than 9 million skins to players, Counter-Strike 2 doubles that. Additionally, SkinPay charges zero fees for its services.
What is Steam?
Steam is a
digital distribution platform primarily serving video game players. It allows them to trade and sell their virtual items (such as skins) for real money. This is facilitated through the
Steam Market, with all user funds stored in their Steam Wallet. Besides that, players can download games, software tools, and multimedia content, connect with online communities, share their content, or join discussions on the platform.
Connecting SkinPay and Steam
Both entities are linked by the
ability to trade skins. While SkinPay is merely a payment method, Steam is a digital distribution platform that offers much more to its users. With SkinPay, players can exchange or sell their items
without logging into the Steam Market. However, linking both accounts is necessary to use them together.
The history of SkinPay and Steam
The Steam platform was created by
Valve Corporation, based in the USA, and was first launched in 2003. The history of SkinPay, however, is not fully known. The only information available on its official website mentions that it is operated by
Crystal Future OÜ, based in Estonia. SkinPay was likely developed to meet the growing needs of many players, aiming to create a secure and reliable environment for trading game items.
How to use SkinPay?
Using this payment method, users
trade skins, which serve as virtual currency. These can be bought or exchanged for items acquired in various games and then sold to third parties (online game providers/merchants/service providers, etc.) for
real money or used directly for payment, provided the merchant accepts them as currency (the merchant can then also exchange them for real money at the current rate or use them as payment).
How to create your own SkinPay account?
Users do not create their own accounts to use this payment method. The only options available on the official website are
connecting the merchant’s website to this payment method or
logging into a partner account for SkinPay. However, users can
create an account on Steam, requiring only an email address at first. This email must be entered into one field and confirmed in another. Then, they select their
country of residence and click the “I am not a robot” button. They will then receive a verification email, followed by prompts to name their account and set a password.
Where to use SkinPay?
This payment method is most commonly used for purchasing or trading goods in PC games like
Dota 2 or Counter-Strike 2. Players may also encounter it in other games where transactions with various game assets can be conducted using SkinPay. Skins can either be monetized at the current exchange rate or further used as standalone virtual currency. This service is also available
at online casinos such as Gamdom or Loot Bet.
Registration bonuses in online casinos
To use this payment method at an
online casino, players must first register there. By creating their own player profile, they can receive
exciting welcome bonuses that provide extra money,
free spins, free bets, and many other benefits. The terms for obtaining these welcome bonuses vary among casinos, but usually,
at least a minimum deposit is required.
SkinPay limits
This company does not list any transaction limits for skin-based payments on its website. However, users may encounter limits set by
individual merchants who accept these payments. Merchants may impose limits on
the number of transactions within a specific period or the maximum amount allowed at a given time.
How to deposit with SkinPay in an online casino?
- Log in to your account at an online casino offering this payment method.
- Select SkinPay as the deposit method for your player account.
- Enter the exact amount to deposit and confirm (for the first deposit, you need to provide your TradeURL obtained during Steam registration).
- After saving the TradeURL, a list of all tradable skins from CS 2 and Dota 2 will appear.
- Select the skins to sell or trade and confirm the final transaction.
How to withdraw money from an online casino with SkinPay?
The SkinPay payment method is primarily used
for monetizing items or virtual currencies obtained in PC games for real money or using them to purchase goods or services offered online. Therefore,
this method cannot be used to withdraw money from player accounts at online casinos offering SkinPay as a payment method.
SkinPay fees
The official SkinPay website states that the company does not charge its users any fees for transactions. However,
fees may be deducted by specific merchants (online casino operators, goods or service providers). Fees are commonly charged for using specific
payment methods or depositing funds in foreign currencies.
Advantages and disadvantages of SkinPay
One of its biggest advantages is its benefit for players
who own valuable skins. They can easily and securely trade them through this payment method without dealing directly with other players. Transactions usually take only a few minutes, and the money obtained from selling skins
can be used beyond the gaming world. Disadvantages, on the other hand, include
fluctuating market values of skins, which constantly change over time, and somewhat lacking security since identity verification is not required for repeated transactions with specific merchants after the initial TradeURL submission. The biggest downside is that this payment method
is not widely available, limiting its use to a small number of merchants and service providers.
SkinPay mobile app
No dedicated mobile app is available for the SkinPay payment method, enabling users to conduct transactions more easily, quickly, and conveniently anytime, anywhere. Instead, users can download the
Steam Mobile app, which also supports the SkinPay payment method and allows for skin trading and sales. This mobile app can be downloaded
from the official Steam platform website via QR code or from
Google Play or the App Store. It is available for Android and iOS devices. After setting up all necessary details, users can continue logging in with fingerprint authentication and use their phones to verify transactions.
Steam for Windows
This digital platform also caters to all its users’ needs by being available for
desktop computers or laptops. Users with Windows, Mac, or Linux can install this application, keeping track of all available skins for transactions.
Evaluation
This payment method is great for players of Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2, enabling them to utilize
items obtained in these games for other games, goods, real money, or virtual currency. The possibilities for using game assets are extensive and continue to grow. SkinPay also makes transactions
easy, fast, and simple with just a few clicks, without requiring Steam users to visit the Steam Market. Money obtained from selling items can also be used beyond the gaming world. However, SkinPay’s limitation is its availability, as it is offered by only a small number of merchants accepting skins. Another issue could be
limited security, as repeated transactions with specific merchants do not require any special verification.
Lucrative bonus offers
FAQs
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