Verify Your Business

Nostr is a decentralized protocol that uses cryptographic key pairs for identity — you own your account without relying on any company. We use Nostr because it aligns with Bitcoin's values of self-sovereignty. Your verification is linked to your Nostr public key, so only you control it. You can create a free Nostr account using apps like Alby, nos2x, Amber, or Nostr WoT (nostr-wot.com).

Go to the map at mappingbitcoin.com/map and search for your business name or browse to your location. Your business must already be listed on OpenStreetMap with a Bitcoin payment tag. If it's not listed yet, you can add it through OpenStreetMap first.

Yes, verification is completely free — all three methods (email, domain, and website file). We believe in open access to the Bitcoin economy.

Email verification is instant once you enter the 6-digit code. DNS domain verification depends on DNS propagation, typically 5-30 minutes but can take up to 48 hours. Website file (.well-known) verification is instant once the file is uploaded and accessible — it's the fastest method if you have server access.

It depends on what you have access to. Email verification is the simplest — just access your business email. Domain verification (DNS TXT record) is good if you manage your own DNS. Website file (.well-known) verification is the most secure and recommended option — it's independent of OpenStreetMap and gives the strongest protection against unauthorized changes. You can also use multiple methods to strengthen your verification.

Yes, a single Nostr account can verify as many businesses as you own, as long as you can prove ownership of each one through email, domain, or website file verification.

Domain verification via DNS requires a custom email domain (like [email protected]) because it proves you control that domain. Common providers like Gmail or Outlook are shared services that don't prove business ownership. However, you can always use email code verification with any email address listed on your venue — including Gmail.

This is our most secure verification method. You place a small JSON file at /.well-known/mappingbitcoin.json on your website containing a unique token we provide. Because this file lives on YOUR server, your verification proof is completely independent of OpenStreetMap — no one can affect it by editing your OSM listing. It's inspired by internet standards like ACME (used by Let's Encrypt) and NIP-05.

Yes, and we recommend it. Each additional method strengthens your verification. For example, you could verify by email first, then add domain verification and website file verification. All active methods are displayed on your venue's profile.

The badge is a dynamic image served by our API — not a static file. Every time someone views it, our server checks your current verification status in real-time. It shows one of three states: 'Verified' (green) for confirmed venues, 'Under Review' (amber) when contact details have been changed on OpenStreetMap, or 'Listed' (gray) for unverified venues.

After verification, go to the My Verifications page from your profile menu. You'll find a 'Display Your Verified Badge' section with a ready-to-use HTML snippet for each verified venue. Just copy the code and paste it into your website's HTML. The badge is a simple tag that always shows your current status.

No. The badge is server-rendered — our API generates the SVG image in real-time based on your actual verification status. Copying the image URL would just link to our server, which always checks the live database. There's no static file to download and fake.

We never automatically revoke your verification due to OSM edits. When we detect changes to your venue's contact information, your verification enters an 'Under Review' state with a 30-day grace period. We notify you, and you can re-verify during that time. If the changes are reverted on OSM, your verification is automatically restored. For the strongest protection, use website file (.well-known) verification — it's completely independent of OSM.

The 'Under Review' status means your venue's contact information (email or website) was changed on OpenStreetMap after you verified. Your verification is still active, but you have 30 days to re-verify with the updated information. If the OSM edit is reverted, your verification automatically returns to 'Verified'. The badge will show amber during this period.

Yes. You can cancel pending verifications or remove completed ones from the My Verifications page. For verified claims, removal will also delete the Nostr announcement. For pending claims, cancellation simply clears the attempt so you can start fresh.

Your verification is permanently linked to your Nostr key pair. If you lose access to your private key, you won't be able to manage your verification. We recommend backing up your Nostr keys securely. If you need to verify with a new key, you'll need to start a new verification process.