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# System prepended metadata

title: Receiving bitcoin

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# Receiving bitcoin
The process of receiving bitcoin begins with the creation of a payment request. On-blockchain payment requests are generated from a private key controled by the recipient.

Besides the address which is required; amount, label and message are optional fields that the reciever can set as part of the payment request.

You then share this payment request with the one who is [sending bitcoin](/guide/payments/sending).  


### Reusability
There is no forced limit but you should only send a payment request to one payer in order to safeguard your privacy as using payment requests with multiple payers will expose your other funds to them. It should also be noted that onchain Payment Requests can have multiple payments made to them, while bitcoin lightning payment requests only accept a single payment.

By sharing the same payment request (address) with another party you are receiving the payment from -- they will  be able to see the previous transactions including their new transaction to you.

exchange and proximity
### At a distance (has contact information)
### At a distance (public)
### Close Proximity (no contact exchange/contactless)
### Close Proximity (setup required)

When a payment request is created it should be stored until it is fulfilled so the user does not acciedntly share the same address to multiple persons.
