# Getting Started

Welcome to HivePay! This guide will help you get started with accepting Hive blockchain payments in your application.

---

## Overview

HivePay provides a simple, Stripe-like API for accepting HIVE and HBD payments. The integration process consists of three main steps:

1. **Register** - Create a merchant account
2. **Authenticate** - Get your API key
3. **Integrate** - Add payments to your application

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## Prerequisites

Before you begin, you'll need:

- A Hive blockchain account (to receive payments)
- A web application or service where you want to accept payments
- Basic knowledge of REST APIs or one of our SDKs

---

## Quick Start

### 1. Register as a Merchant

Visit the [HivePay Dashboard](https://dashboard.hivepay.me/register) to create your merchant account:

- Enter your business name
- Provide your Hive account username
- Optionally add a logo URL

[!ref icon="person" text="Registration Guide"](/getting-started/registration/)

### 2. Save Your API Key

After registration, you'll receive an API key. **Save it securely** - it cannot be retrieved later.

[!ref icon="key" text="Authentication Guide"](/getting-started/authentication/)

### 3. Create Your First Payment

+++ TypeScript
```typescript
import { HivePay } from '@hivepay/client';

const hivepay = new HivePay({ apiKey: 'sk_live_xxx' });

const payment = await hivepay.payments.create({
  amount: '10000',      // 10.000 HIVE
  currency: 'HIVE',
  description: 'Order #123'
});

// Redirect user to checkout
window.location.href = payment.checkoutUrl;
```
+++ cURL
```bash
curl -X POST https://hivepay.me/api/public/payments \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_live_xxx" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "amount": "10000",
    "currency": "HIVE",
    "description": "Order #123"
  }'
```
+++

---

## Next Steps

- [Creating Payments](/payments/creating/) - Learn about payment options
- [Handling Webhooks](/payments/webhooks/) - Get notified of payment status changes
- [SDK Reference](/sdk/) - Explore the full TypeScript SDK