B.AI Review: Pricing & Comparison

Crypto-payment AI API: who actually needs this

Most relays only accept Alipay or WeChat Pay, both tied to a real identity. B.AI’s distinguishing feature is that it supports crypto payment via USDT and similar.

Who would use crypto to pay for an AI API? A few typical cases:

Cross-border teams: overseas members can’t use Alipay/WeChat Pay, but can top up a mainland relay account with USDT, letting the whole team share one account.

Privacy-conscious users: people who’d rather not have their AI usage history directly tied to their real identity. Crypto payment offers more accounting-level anonymity than fiat payment.

Crypto holders: users already holding stablecoins like USDT find paying directly in crypto more convenient than converting to RMB first.

This isn’t a mainstream need, but for users who do have it, B.AI is one of the few options available.

Full model lineup

Aside from its payment method, B.AI’s model coverage isn’t particularly distinctive: the full Claude lineup, the full GPT lineup, Gemini, DeepSeek — this is standard coverage that most mainstream relays offer.

B.AI’s unique value isn’t in model coverage, but in its payment method. For ordinary developers who don’t need crypto payment, other platforms may offer better pricing or a stronger stability track record.

Mainland direct connect

B.AI offers mainland direct connect, no proxy required. That means it can be called directly from within mainland China’s network environment, with latency and stability unaffected by proxy quality.

from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="your B.AI API key",
    base_url="https://api.b.ai/v1"  # check the official site for the current endpoint
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="claude-opus-4-8",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}]
)

Usage recommendations

• Crypto payment scenarios: B.AI is one of the mainland relays that supports this kind of payment, worth considering if you have that need
• Ordinary developers: if you have no special requirement around payment method, other, more price-competitive platforms may be a better fit
• Team use: top up a small amount first to test interface quality and stability before committing

The USDT top-up process

B.AI accepts top-ups in USDT and other major stablecoins. The general steps:

1. Select crypto payment on B.AI’s top-up page
2. Get the deposit address (double-check the chain type — TRC20 fees are typically lower than ERC20)
3. Send USDT from your personal wallet to that address and wait for on-chain confirmation
4. Once the balance lands, you can start using the API

The exchange rate is whatever B.AI’s conversion rate is on the day of the top-up — confirm the rate on the official site before topping up, and be aware that confirmation times differ by chain.

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