How to send and receive testnet coins (TBTC)
This post is part of a curated learning path for people new to Bitcoin. Read it here.
Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, so it’s wise to practice with your new wallet setup before sending or receiving a meaningful amount of bitcoin. Fortunately, an alternative Bitcoin blockchain called testnet exists for learners and developers to experiment. Testnet coins (TBTC) are separate and distinct from actual bitcoins (BTC) and do not have real value as an asset.
This post shows how to practice by sending and receiving TBTC with a Casa Gold multisig wallet. The general process is similar for other wallets.
Enable your testnet BTC wallet (5 minutes)
Receive testnet BTC (20 minutes)
Send testnet BTC (20 minutes)
Enable your testnet BTC wallet (5 minutes)
Read this Casa support article: Testnet Bitcoin (TBTC)
Open your Casa App.
Click the Settings tab.
Toggle on Display Testnet.
The Settings tab in the Casa App.
Scroll to the bottom of Casa’s TBTC support article. If your hardware device is mentioned, follow Casa’s instructions to enable testnet BTC on your hardware device.
Receive testnet BTC (20 minutes)
Click the Assets tab in your Casa App.
Click your Test Bitcoin wallet.
Click the Receive button. A QR code and a testnet BTC address will pop up.
Go to the Yet Another Bitcoin Testnet Faucet website. (If that’s not working, try the other TBTC faucets listed here or here.)
Solve the addition puzzle — it’s there to reduce spam.
Copy the testnet BTC address from your Casa App into the “Address” field provided by Yet Another Bitcoin Testnet Faucet.
Type in an amount of TBTC to send to your wallet. The maximum is 0.01.
Click send.
Wait until the TBTC is confirmed in your Test Bitcoin wallet in your Casa App. The amount you sent should show up immediately with an asterisk (*) next to it, which means the transaction is unconfirmed. The asterisk will disappear when confirmed. Confirmation times aren’t as predictable on testnet vs. the real Bitcoin network, so you may have to wait a little. It took 15 minutes for me, for what that’s worth.
Send testnet BTC (20 minutes)
Click the Assets tab in your Casa App.
Click your Test Bitcoin wallet.
Click the Send button.
Enter an amount of TBTC to send back to Yet Another Bitcoin Testnet Faucet.
Click the Continue button.
Click the Scan Code button.
Go to Yet Another Bitcoin Testnet Faucet. Scroll to the bottom. Scan the QR code with your mobile device. The Casa App will generate a Pending Test Bitcoin Send with two signatures required if you have a Casa Gold membership.
Click the 2 Signatures Required text.
Click Mobile Key to sign the transaction with the key on your mobile device.
Click Hardware Device, then click Continue, then follow the instructions in the email Casa sends you to sign with the key on your hardware device.
Follow Casa’s instructions in the app to complete the send. Your TBTC balance and transaction list will be updated.
When you’re done practicing, it’s a nice gesture to send the TBTC back to a faucet so they become available to other learners and developers.
Click the Settings tab and toggle off Display testnet.
If you run into any issues, consult or contact support for your hardware device and/or Casa.
When you’re done practicing, it’s a nice gesture to send the TBTC back to a faucet so they become available to other learners and developers.
The content above provides education as to general security practices when using testnet coins (TBTC). Should you choose to apply the practices described with bitcoin (BTC) you own now or may purchase in the future, you do so at your own risk, and I shall in no event be liable for any financial loss suffered. Nothing shall be construed as providing consulting, financial advice, or general advice as to securing bitcoin.