# Link balance FAQ

* [What is Link balance?](#what-is-link-balance)
* [Who can use Link balance?](#who-can-use-link-balance)
* [What is USDC?](#what-is-usdc)
* [How do I know when a payout has been sent to my Link balance?](#payout-sent-to-link-balance)
* [I have a question about my payout amount.](#question-about-payout-amount)
* [Do I need to verify my identity for Link balance?](#verify-identity-for-link-balance)
* [How do I withdraw my funds?](#how-do-i-withdraw-funds)
* [What is the sign-up reward?](#what-is-sign-up-reward)
* [How do I view my Link Balance transaction history?](#view-transaction-history)
* [Can I update my Link balance account information?](#update-account-information)
* [My withdrawal failed. What should I do?](#withdrawal-failed)
* [Can I close my account?](#can-i-close-account)
## What is Link balance?
Link balance allows you to receive and hold funds in USDC on your Link account. You then have the option to withdraw to a crypto wallet or withdraw in your local currency to your bank account. Think of it as a simple, secure place to keep your earnings in USD-pegged stablecoins, with the ability to withdraw as you need.
When you choose "Get paid instantly with Link", your earnings are delivered to your Link balance instantly, and at no cost to you.
## Who can use Link balance?
Link balance is available to eligible customers in select jurisdictions. If you're using a platform that has Link balance enabled, you'll see Link as a payout option. You must be at least 18 years old to create a Link balance account. You'll be asked to verify your age with documentation that matches the date of birth you provide.
## What is USDC?
USDC (USD Coin) is a type of digital currency called a stablecoin. Unlike other cryptocurrencies that can fluctuate in value, USDC is designed to always be worth $1 USD. Each USDC is 100% backed by US dollar reserves (cash and short-dated U.S. Treasuries, all held in regulated U.S. financial institutions), and redeemable on a 1:1 basis.
When you withdraw to a bank account, your USDC is automatically converted to your local currency at the current exchange rate. No conversion occurs when you withdraw to an external crypto wallet.
## How do I know when a payout has been sent to my Link balance?
Every time a payout is deposited, you'll:
* Receive an email from Link informing you where the funds were sent from and how much has been received
* See the payout reflected in your Link account immediately
* Be able to view the transaction in your **Activity** page with details including the amount, source, date, and status
Link doesn't charge fees for receiving payouts.
## I have a question about my payout amount.
The amount of your payout is determined by the sending platform. Link delivers the payout amount set by the platform. We don't calculate, adjust, or deduct anything from your payout amount, and there are no fees for receiving payouts.
If you have questions about why your payout was a specific amount, how your earnings are calculated, or when your next payout will arrive, contact the platform your account is connected with. They have full visibility into your earnings and payout details.
## Do I need to verify my identity for Link balance?
You need to complete identity verification before completing your first withdrawal. This involves submitting a clear photo of a government-issued photo ID such as:
* A valid passport
* A national ID card
* A government-issued photo ID
Your document must not be expired. You'll then be asked to take a selfie.
Tips for a successful verification:
* Your Name and DOB on your document should match what is on your government ID. If you entered your information incorrectly, log in to your Link account and contact support to update it.
* Make sure your document is fully visible and not cut off in the photo.
* Use good lighting with no glare or shadows on the document.
* Avoid blurry photos — hold your device steady.
* Make sure all text on your document is legible.
* For the selfie, ensure your face is clearly visible, well-lit, and look directly at the camera. Remove sunglasses or anything covering your face.
* Once you have verified your identity successfully, you shouldn't need to do it again for future withdrawals.
## How do I withdraw my funds?
You can withdraw funds from your Link balance at any time after identity verification is completed — there's no holding period or waiting requirement. As soon as funds arrive in your balance, they're available for withdrawal to your bank account or external crypto wallet.
**Withdraw to a bank account**
1. Select [Withdraw](https://app.link.com/wallet).
1. Select Bank Account as your destination (or add a new one).
   * Follow the steps to select your bank from the list and enter your account information. If your bank isn't listed, we are currently unable to support it.
1. Enter the amount you want to withdraw.
1. Review the exchange rate, any fees, and the total amount you'll receive in your local currency.
1. Confirm the withdrawal.
**Withdraw to a crypto wallet**
1. Select [Withdraw](https://app.link.com/wallet).
1. Select Crypto Wallet as your destination (or add a new one).
1. Select the blockchain you want to receive USDC on. Confirm that the selected network is accurate.
1. Enter your wallet address on the selected chain. Confirm that your wallet address is correct and that the selected token is accepted by your wallet provider.
1. If required (especially for Stellar or some exchanges), enter a memo or tag.
1. Enter the amount you want to withdraw.
1. Review the transfer and confirm. There are no fees associated with this withdrawal type.
Ensure you use the right network and address for your withdrawal. Funds withdrawn to the wrong address or via an unsupported network may be permanently lost.
## What is the sign-up reward?
When you receive your first payout and have successfully completed identity verification, you receive a sign-up bonus as a welcome reward. This will be credited to your balance and can be used like your earnings. You'll receive an email confirming the reward, and you can see it in your Link Activity listed as "Link reward."
The sign-up reward is a one-time bonus. It is credited once and cannot be issued again.
## How do I view my Link Balance transaction history?
When logged in to your Link account, you'll see your Link Balance on the [Home](https://app.link.com/home) page. Additionally, you can view the following sections for your Link account:
* Wallet: Shows your total current Link Balance.
* Activity: Shows your full transaction history, including payouts, your sign-up reward, and any withdrawals you have made.
  * You can filter for Balance-related transactions in the search bar at the top.
## Can I update my Link balance account information?
**Name or Date of Birth**
If the information on your account is incorrect, for example, if you used a nickname instead of your legal name, or if your date of birth has a typo; log in to your account and contact support. We'll review your request to have the information updated.
Not all name or date of birth changes can be accommodated. Minor corrections such as adding a middle name or fixing a small typo are typically possible, but larger changes may not be.
**Address**
If you need to update your address—for example, if a bank withdrawal fails because the address on your Link account doesn't match the address on your bank account, log in to your account and contact support. We'll verify the updated address and make the change for you.
## My withdrawal failed. What should I do?
**If your withdrawal to a bank account failed, common reasons include:**
* The name on your Link account doesn't match the name on your bank account.
* The address on your Link account doesn't match the address on your bank account.
* Your bank account details (account number, or selected bank name) were entered incorrectly.
* If your ID number was required for a withdrawal, it may be incorrect.
If your bank withdrawal fails, your funds are returned to your Link balance — they're not lost. You can contact support to help identify the cause of the failure and correct any information that needs updating.
**If your withdrawal to a crypto wallet failed, common reasons include:**
* The wallet address was entered incorrectly.
* The wallet doesn't support USDC on the blockchain you selected.
* A required memo or tag was missing.
* If a crypto withdrawal fails before it is sent to the blockchain, your funds are returned to your Link balance. However, if the transaction was completed on the blockchain but went to an incorrect address or the token isn't supported by your wallet provider, the funds cannot be recovered. Crypto transactions are irreversible by nature. Please always double-check your wallet address and chain before confirming.
## Can I close my account?
You can close your Link balance account from your [Settings](https://app.link.com/settings). Before closing, you'll need to withdraw all of your funds so that your balance is $0 USDC.
Keep in mind:
* Account closure is permanent. Once closed, your account cannot be re-opened.
* If you want to use Link balance again in the future, you'll need to go through the full onboarding process from scratch.