> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.useshadowpay.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.useshadowpay.com/using-shadowpay/creating-your-account.md). # Creating Your Account Opening a ShadowPay account takes a few minutes and doesn't require a seed phrase, a hardware wallet, or any prior crypto experience. *** ## Prerequisites * A device with passkey support (Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello, or a hardware security key) * An email address * A government-issued ID for identity verification *** ## Step-by-step ### 1. Sign up Enter your email and create a passkey on your device. This passkey becomes the root of your ShadowPay keypair. There's nothing to write down or memorize. ### 2. Verify your identity ShadowPay requires KYC at account creation, in line with the GENIUS Act framework it operates under. You'll be asked to verify your identity through our KYC provider: * A photo of a government-issued ID * A liveness check (a quick selfie video) Basic verification unlocks standard transaction limits. Enhanced verification, requiring additional documentation, unlocks higher limits for Personal and Business accounts. ### 3. Claim your handle Choose a `@handle`. This is how people send you money without needing your raw Solana address. See [ShadowPay Handles](/using-shadowpay/shadowpay-handles.md). ### 4. Fund your account Deposit USDC from an exchange or another wallet, or use a linked bank transfer where available in your jurisdiction. A small SOL reserve is maintained automatically to cover network fees. You never need to hold or think about SOL directly. *** ## What happens on-chain during signup Your account creation provisions: * A standard Solana wallet address, derived from your passkey * A Confidential Balances token account for USDC, which is what enables encrypted transfers * An off-chain profile record linking your `@handle` to your public key, used only for lookup and display No balance or transaction data exists yet. Your first transfer is the first thing that gets encrypted. *** ## Account types at signup By default, new signups get a Personal account. If you're onboarding as a company, choose Business during signup for team-oriented features and higher limits. See [Account Types](/overview/account-types.md) for the full comparison, including Agent accounts. *** ## Next * [Sending & Receiving](/using-shadowpay/sending-and-receiving.md) * [ShadowPay Handles](/using-shadowpay/shadowpay-handles.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.useshadowpay.com/using-shadowpay/creating-your-account.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.