> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developers.cryptopay.me/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/get-started-with-cryptopay/channels.md).

# Test a Channel

A Channel lets you receive cryptocurrency payments and credit the selected currency to your Сryptopay balance. Each payment is shown separately as a **Channel Payment**. \
\
Before creating and testing a Channel, we recommend reading the [**detailed Channels guide**](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/channels). It explains how Channels work, including the available fields, Channel flow, callbacks, payment statuses, and other important details.\
\
You can create and test Channels through your **Merchant Account** or the **API**.<br>

## **Test a Channel through the API**

After completing [authentication](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/api-basics/authentication), create a Channel using the [Channel API Reference](https://reference.cryptopay.me/#tag/Channels/operation/channels.create).

The response will contain the Channel details, including its permanent address, currencies, and other relevant information. You can then use this address to receive deposits as **Channel Payments**.

## **Create a Channel in your Merchant Account**

1. Go to **Channels** in your Merchant Account.
2. Create a new Channel.
3. Select the currency that the customer will send.
4. Select the currency that will be credited to your Сryptopay balance.
5. Optionally, add your own reference to make the Channel easier to identify and track.
6. As a result, you now have&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://610376622-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LcumCsZ6ZxEPn6jqlMH%2Fuploads%2FccagDIaHqTGdyPTqbkZ0%2FScreenshot%202026-10-05%20at%205.07.31%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&amp;token=15976083-5449-49bb-a2f5-1be3ee1232b3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## How to test a Channel

The easiest way to test a Channel is to send a withdrawal from your own Sandbox account to the Channel address. This way, you send funds from your own account to your own Channel and can test both withdrawals and incoming Channel Payments in a single flow.

If you do not plan to integrate withdrawals via the API, you can make the withdrawal from your Merchant Account instead. Simply send funds from your Sandbox account to the Channel address.

For details on how to create and test a withdrawal, see [**Test a Withdrawal.**](https://developers.cryptopay.me/guides/get-started-with-cryptopay/payouts)<br>

{% hint style="info" %}
Risk scoring is randomized on sandbox, which is why you see different risk scores for various transactions, ranging from low to high. On production, it’ll be based on the actual transaction risk score we determine.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If a deposit is identified as high-risk, it’ll be placed on hold and reviewed by our colleagues in the Transaction Monitoring team, they might choose to credit/return it or request additional data from you. You’ll get an automatic email notification like this, and our support team will also reach out and advise on the next steps
{% endhint %}

#### Result

After completing the test, you will see **two transactions** in your transaction history: **a channel payment** and a coin withdrawal. \
If the channel payment was created through the API, callbacks will be sent for this transaction according to your configured callback settings.