> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.spendghost.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How funding works

Your private balance, and the ways to fund it.

SpendGhost spends from a **balance you control** — never a card or bank account on file. You set it up once, the ghost draws from it as you buy, and you can top up, switch methods, or [wipe everything](/privacy/privacy) whenever you want.

There are a few ways to give the ghost something to spend, and you can mix them.

**[Send USDC to your address](/funding/deposit)**

The default. Get your deposit address, send **USDC** (Base is best), and the ghost watches the chain and **texts you the second it lands**.

**[Pay by card or any token](/funding/pay-by-card)**

No crypto handy? Pay a card or any token through a one‑tap checkout, and it turns into spendable balance.

**[Use your own wallet](/funding/spend-approval)**

Keep your funds in your own wallet and set a spending limit. The ghost spends up to that limit, you keep custody, and you can turn it off anytime.

**[Fund from Solana](/funding/supported-chains)**

Send USDC, USDT, or SOL on Solana and convert it to spendable Base USDC.

## Send USDC directly (the default)

The smoothest way to fund is to **send crypto straight to your own deposit address**. Ask any time and the ghost hands you the address, then watches the chain — the moment your funds land, it texts you. Sent the wrong coin (ETH instead of USDC) or the wrong chain? The ghost spots that too and offers to fix it. Want to be sure it arrived? Just ask, and it does a live on‑chain check right then.

> *"add funds"* · *"where do i send usdc?"*

See [Add funds (send USDC)](/funding/deposit).

You never need to hold ETH or worry about gas. Network fees are handled for you behind the scenes, and USDC you send lands as spendable balance.

## Pay by card or any token (the fallback)

Don't have crypto on hand, or just prefer a card? The ghost can send you a one‑tap checkout to pay with a card or any token — it converts to spendable balance for you. You can pay an exact amount, or [pay for just one order](/funding/pay-by-card) without keeping a balance at all.

## Use your own wallet (set a limit)

Prefer to keep your money in your own wallet? Connect it from your dashboard and set a **spending limit**. The ghost can then spend up to that limit when you order — you keep custody of your funds, and you can change or turn off the limit at any time. No deposit required. See [Use your own wallet](/funding/spend-approval).

## Which should I use?

| | Send USDC | Pay by card / token | Use your own wallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | Send to your address | Nothing — per checkout | Connect wallet, set a limit |
| Who holds the funds | Your SpendGhost balance | Your SpendGhost balance | You, in your own wallet |
| Best for | The default, if you have crypto | No crypto handy, or one‑off | Keeping your own custody |

Either way, **no card on file, no bank, no trace**.