2026-11-21 –, Momentum - Hack Zone Stage
Abstract:
What if anyone, regardless of age or technical experience, could start accepting Bitcoin payments in just 40 minutes for free with 0.00% fees?
In this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn how to accept Bitcoin payments using BTCPay Server, a free and open-source Bitcoin payment processor.
No slides, no coding, and no technical expertise required. Everything happens live in the browser, with participants actively following along.
Together, we'll set up a free BTCPay Server store with free BTCPay Server hosting at Bitcoin Aruba, configure Lightning payments using a battle-tested BTCPay Server plugin, and explore Branta, an innovative open-source payment verification solution, using zero knowledge proofs, designed to protect against payment redirection attacks and help customers verify who they're paying.
Participants are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop, as working on a desktop browser provides a significantly better experience. However, joining from a smartphone is also possible, as successfully demonstrated by numerous attendees at BTCHEL 2026.
The goal is simple: Every participant should leave with hands-on experience accepting Lightning payments and the confidence to start using Bitcoin in everyday commerce. With the free and open source software, BTCPay Server,
In addition, you'll be able to sleep well at night, since you aren't accepting lightning payments with your own hard earned generational wealth on your own hotwallet.
I've previously organized and conducted interactive BTCPay Server workshops at BitDevs Oslo, which I formerly co-organized, as well as at the conferences BTCHEL 2025 and BTCHEL 2026.
My teaching philosophy is inspired by Socratic seminars: learning through active participation, questions, discussion, and practical experience rather than traditional "top down" lectures.
There will be no slides, no PowerPoint, and no Keynote. Everything happens live in the browser, and the audience actively participates throughout the workshop.
During my previous BTCHEL workshops, even non-technical attendees over the age of 60+ successfully created their first BTCPay Server stores and received Lightning payments. At BTCHEL 2026, several participants even completed the exercises using only their smartphones. Even though desktop is recommended.
My ambition is to make Bitcoin payments accessible to everyone, regardless of age, technical background, or previous experience.
During this 40-minute workshop, I'll guide participants through three practical steps:
1. Setting up BTCPay Server for free
We'll use Bitcoin Aruba, a free, community-operated BTCPay Server hosting service that has been available for free for over six years.
Participants will create an account at https://btc.aw --> https://pay.btc.aw and set up their first BTCPay Server store without installing software, renting servers, or writing a single line of code.
I'll also briefly explain the differences between using a shared BTCPay Server instance and self-hosting, including how Bitcoin Aruba uses LunaNode, a VPS provider also featured in official BTCPay Server documentation and educational tutorials by BTC Sessions.
2. Accepting Lightning payments
Participants will configure Lightning payment acceptance through a battle-tested BTCPay Server plugin.
We'll then create real Lightning invoices and demonstrate how easily Bitcoin payments can be received.
The emphasis will be on practical usability, particularly for merchants, small businesses, and Bitcoiners who have never accepted Lightning payments before.
3. Improving payment security with Branta
Finally, I'll introduce Branta, an open-source payment verification solution designed to protect Bitcoin payments against payment redirection and man-in-the-middle attacks.
Branta uses privacy-preserving verification technology, including zero-knowledge proofs, to help verify payment destinations.
Through its integration with BTCPay Server, we'll explore how merchant identity and branding can help customers recognize who they're paying, improving confidence in Bitcoin payments. Which is extremely important for finally mimicking the best user experiences with paying fiat money.
Branta Website:
Branta's BTCPay Server plugin:
https://plugin-builder.btcpayserver.org/public/plugins/branta
The workshop will combine live demonstrations, audience participation, and open discussion, encouraging attendees to ask questions and learn from one another.
My goal is not simply to teach people what BTCPay Server is. It's to empower them to actually use it.
Previous workshops have demonstrated that accepting Bitcoin doesn't have to be complicated, intimidating, or reserved for technically experienced Bitcoiners.
I want every participant to leave having experienced that firsthand.
BTCPay Server Workshop + Branta by Satoshi Consult Inc. 🔑
I'm the founder, CEO and Chairman of Satoshi Consult Inc. 🔑
Satoshi Consult specializes in secure cold storage of Bitcoin, e.g. inheritance planning using miniscript. Satoshi Consult also has a great track record in consulting businesses and organizations with accepting Bitcoin as a medium of exchange.
I've onboarded 17 businesses and organizations with accepting bitcoin through point-of-sales, web shops and donations.
Examples:
The duty free shop Tax Free Norway, Oslo airport who's running BTCPay Server on 3 x Bitcoinize payment terminals ✈️
The vendors at BTCHEL 2026 🟧
The European Squash Federation🏅 The world’s first sport federation to accept bitcoin for donations.
The Bitcoin Infinity Book booth 📙
Norway's first gym to accept bitcoin 💪
Norway's first martial arts center to accept bitcoin 🥋
Norways first therapist to accept bitcoin 👨🏻⚕️
Norway's first hairdresser to accept bitcoin 💇🏻♂️
I love taking deep dives into the technical aspects of nostr, Bitcoin, lightning, and other freedom-technologies.
I strive to be an inspiring educator, explaining complex concepts in a clear and accessible way.