diff --git a/frontend/src/components/WalletConnect.vue b/frontend/src/components/WalletConnect.vue
index 2729855..65fe3f0 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/WalletConnect.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/components/WalletConnect.vue
@@ -1,14 +1,39 @@
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, watch } from 'vue'
+import { ref } from 'vue'
 import { useWallet } from '../composables/useWallet'
 
-const { isWalletConnected, walletMethod, paymentStatus, disconnectWallet, connectNWC, connectLightningAddress } = useWallet()
+const props = defineProps<{ botId?: string }>()
+const emit = defineEmits<{ 'cashu-paid': [paymentId: string] }>()
+
+const { isWalletConnected, walletMethod, paymentStatus, disconnectWallet, connectNWC, connectLightningAddress, submitCashuToken } = useWallet()
 
 const isExpanded = ref(false)
+const showLightningOptions = ref(false)
 const nwcInput = ref('')
 const lnAddressInput = ref('')
+const cashuInput = ref('')
 const connectError = ref('')
 const isConnecting = ref(false)
+const isPayingCashu = ref(false)
+const cashuError = ref('')
+
+async function handlePayCashu() {
+  if (!cashuInput.value.trim() || !props.botId) return
+  isPayingCashu.value = true
+  cashuError.value = ''
+  try {
+    // One-time bearer payment, not a persistent "connection" like NWC/LN
+    // address — submitting the token IS paying the 21-sat entry fee right
+    // now. Parent (JoinBoutPage.vue) uses the returned paymentId directly
+    // with POST /api/queue/join-ranked, bypassing payEntryFee() entirely.
+    const paymentId = await submitCashuToken(props.botId, cashuInput.value.trim())
+    cashuInput.value = ''
+    emit('cashu-paid', paymentId)
+  } catch (err) {
+    cashuError.value = err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Cashu payment failed'
+  }
+  isPayingCashu.value = false
+}
 
 async function handleConnectNWC() {
   if (!nwcInput.value.trim()) return
@@ -57,10 +82,10 @@ async function handleDisconnect() {
     <span class="font-display font-bold text-xs tracking-wider text-green-400 animate-pulse">LOCKED IN</span>
   </div>
 
-  <!-- Connected state -->
+  <!-- Connected state (NWC/LN address — persistent wallet) -->
   <div v-else-if="isWalletConnected" class="flex items-center justify-center gap-2 py-2">
     <span class="text-neon-cyan">⚡</span>
-    <span class="font-display font-bold text-[10px] tracking-wider text-neon-cyan">WALLET READY</span>
+    <span class="font-display font-bold text-[10px] tracking-wider text-neon-cyan">WALLET READY ({{ walletMethod }})</span>
     <button
       class="font-mono text-[9px] text-text-muted hover:text-ko transition-colors ml-2 underline"
       @click="handleDisconnect"
@@ -69,7 +94,7 @@ async function handleDisconnect() {
     </button>
   </div>
 
-  <!-- Not connected -->
+  <!-- Not connected — Cashu is the primary path, Lightning/NWC is secondary -->
   <div v-else class="space-y-2">
     <button
       v-if="!isExpanded"
@@ -78,63 +103,111 @@ async function handleDisconnect() {
              hover:bg-neon-cyan/10 transition-all"
       @click="isExpanded = true"
     >
-      ⚡ CONNECT WALLET
+      🥜 PAY 21 SATS WITH CASHU
     </button>
 
     <div v-else class="border border-border p-3 space-y-3">
-      <p class="font-display font-bold text-[10px] tracking-wider text-text-secondary text-center">CONNECT WALLET</p>
+      <p class="font-display font-bold text-[10px] tracking-wider text-text-secondary text-center">PAY YOUR ENTRY FEE</p>
 
-      <!-- NWC input -->
+      <!-- Cashu token — primary path. One paste = paid, no persistent
+           "connection" step, works for any wallet (Minibits, etc.) that can
+           mint an ecash token. -->
       <div>
-        <label class="font-mono text-[9px] text-text-muted block mb-1">NWC CONNECTION STRING</label>
+        <label class="font-mono text-[9px] text-neon-cyan block mb-1">🥜 CASHU TOKEN (21 SATS) — RECOMMENDED</label>
         <input
-          v-model="nwcInput"
+          v-model="cashuInput"
           type="text"
-          placeholder="nostr+walletconnect://..."
-          class="w-full bg-surface border border-border px-2 py-1.5 font-mono text-[10px] text-text-primary
-                 focus:border-neon-cyan/50 focus:outline-none"
+          placeholder="cashuA..."
+          autocomplete="off"
+          class="w-full bg-surface border border-neon-cyan/40 px-2 py-1.5 font-mono text-[10px] text-text-primary
+                 focus:border-neon-cyan focus:outline-none"
         />
         <button
           class="w-full mt-1 py-1.5 bg-neon-cyan/10 border border-neon-cyan/30 text-neon-cyan
                  font-display font-bold text-[9px] tracking-wider
                  hover:bg-neon-cyan/20 transition-all disabled:opacity-50"
-          :disabled="!nwcInput.trim() || isConnecting"
-          @click="handleConnectNWC"
+          :disabled="!cashuInput.trim() || isPayingCashu || !botId"
+          @click="handlePayCashu"
         >
-          {{ isConnecting ? 'CONNECTING...' : 'CONNECT NWC' }}
+          {{ isPayingCashu ? 'PAYING...' : '🥜 PAY WITH CASHU' }}
         </button>
+        <p v-if="cashuError" class="font-mono text-[9px] text-ko mt-1">{{ cashuError }}</p>
+        <p class="font-mono text-[8px] text-text-muted/60 mt-1 leading-relaxed">
+          Mint a 21-sat ecash token from any Cashu wallet (e.g.
+          <a href="https://www.minibits.cash" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="underline">Minibits</a>)
+          and paste it here — this pays your entry fee immediately, no ongoing wallet connection needed.
+        </p>
       </div>
 
-      <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
-        <div class="flex-1 border-t border-border" />
-        <span class="font-mono text-[8px] text-text-muted">OR</span>
-        <div class="flex-1 border-t border-border" />
-      </div>
+      <!-- Lightning / NWC — secondary, for a persistent wallet connection
+           (also used for receiving payouts). -->
+      <button
+        v-if="!showLightningOptions"
+        class="w-full py-1.5 font-mono text-[9px] text-text-muted hover:text-text-secondary
+               border border-border/50 transition-colors"
+        @click="showLightningOptions = true"
+      >
+        or connect a Lightning wallet instead ▾
+      </button>
 
-      <!-- Lightning Address input -->
-      <div>
-        <label class="font-mono text-[9px] text-text-muted block mb-1">LIGHTNING ADDRESS (payouts only)</label>
-        <input
-          v-model="lnAddressInput"
-          type="text"
-          placeholder="you@getalby.com"
-          class="w-full bg-surface border border-border px-2 py-1.5 font-mono text-[10px] text-text-primary
-                 focus:border-neon-cyan/50 focus:outline-none"
-        />
-        <button
-          class="w-full mt-1 py-1.5 bg-neon-purple/10 border border-neon-purple/30 text-neon-purple
-                 font-display font-bold text-[9px] tracking-wider
-                 hover:bg-neon-purple/20 transition-all disabled:opacity-50"
-          :disabled="!lnAddressInput.trim() || isConnecting"
-          @click="handleConnectLnAddress"
-        >
-          {{ isConnecting ? 'CONNECTING...' : 'SET ADDRESS' }}
-        </button>
-      </div>
+      <template v-else>
+        <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <div class="flex-1 border-t border-border" />
+          <span class="font-mono text-[8px] text-text-muted">LIGHTNING (SECONDARY)</span>
+          <div class="flex-1 border-t border-border" />
+        </div>
 
-      <div v-if="connectError" class="text-center">
-        <p class="font-mono text-[9px] text-ko">{{ connectError }}</p>
-      </div>
+        <div>
+          <label class="font-mono text-[9px] text-text-muted block mb-1">NWC CONNECTION STRING</label>
+          <input
+            v-model="nwcInput"
+            type="text"
+            placeholder="nostr+walletconnect://..."
+            class="w-full bg-surface border border-border px-2 py-1.5 font-mono text-[10px] text-text-primary
+                   focus:border-neon-cyan/50 focus:outline-none"
+          />
+          <button
+            class="w-full mt-1 py-1.5 bg-neon-purple/10 border border-neon-purple/30 text-neon-purple
+                   font-display font-bold text-[9px] tracking-wider
+                   hover:bg-neon-purple/20 transition-all disabled:opacity-50"
+            :disabled="!nwcInput.trim() || isConnecting"
+            @click="handleConnectNWC"
+          >
+            {{ isConnecting ? 'CONNECTING...' : 'CONNECT NWC' }}
+          </button>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+          <div class="flex-1 border-t border-border" />
+          <span class="font-mono text-[8px] text-text-muted">OR</span>
+          <div class="flex-1 border-t border-border" />
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Lightning Address input -->
+        <div>
+          <label class="font-mono text-[9px] text-text-muted block mb-1">LIGHTNING ADDRESS (payouts only)</label>
+          <input
+            v-model="lnAddressInput"
+            type="text"
+            placeholder="you@getalby.com"
+            class="w-full bg-surface border border-border px-2 py-1.5 font-mono text-[10px] text-text-primary
+                   focus:border-neon-cyan/50 focus:outline-none"
+          />
+          <button
+            class="w-full mt-1 py-1.5 bg-neon-purple/10 border border-neon-purple/30 text-neon-purple
+                   font-display font-bold text-[9px] tracking-wider
+                   hover:bg-neon-purple/20 transition-all disabled:opacity-50"
+            :disabled="!lnAddressInput.trim() || isConnecting"
+            @click="handleConnectLnAddress"
+          >
+            {{ isConnecting ? 'CONNECTING...' : 'SET ADDRESS' }}
+          </button>
+        </div>
+
+        <div v-if="connectError" class="text-center">
+          <p class="font-mono text-[9px] text-ko">{{ connectError }}</p>
+        </div>
+      </template>
 
       <button
         class="w-full py-1 font-mono text-[9px] text-text-muted hover:text-text-secondary transition-colors"
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue b/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue
index 8163ca9..f4fc102 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/JoinBoutPage.vue
@@ -30,6 +30,15 @@ let rateLimitTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
 const isJoining = ref(false)
 const isJoiningRanked = ref(false)
 const isJoiningPractice = ref(false)
+// Set by WalletConnect's cashu-paid event — a Cashu token was already
+// submitted and redeemed (POST /api/payments/submit-cashu already
+// returned a confirmed paymentId). fightRanked() uses this directly
+// instead of calling payEntryFee() (the Lightning/NWC path).
+const cashuPaymentId = ref<string | null>(null)
+function onCashuPaid(paymentId: string) {
+  cashuPaymentId.value = paymentId
+  fightRanked()
+}
 
 // Bot connection mode
 const isVerifyingWebhook = ref(false)
@@ -703,7 +712,11 @@ async function fightRanked() {
   isJoiningRanked.value = true
   error.value = ''
   try {
-    const paymentId = await payEntryFee(bot.value.id)
+    // Cashu (primary path): a token was already submitted+redeemed by
+    // WalletConnect's cashu-paid event — reuse that paymentId directly,
+    // don't create a duplicate Lightning invoice via payEntryFee().
+    const paymentId = cashuPaymentId.value ?? await payEntryFee(bot.value.id)
+    cashuPaymentId.value = null
     const res = await authFetch(`/api/queue/join-ranked/${bot.value.id}`, {
       method: 'POST',
       headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
@@ -1583,7 +1596,7 @@ function handleSignOut() {
           </div>
 
           <!-- Wallet connect (shown if no wallet) -->
-          <WalletConnect v-if="!isHumanMode && !bot.isHuman" />
+          <WalletConnect v-if="!isHumanMode && !bot.isHuman" :bot-id="bot.id" @cashu-paid="onCashuPaid" />
 
           <!-- Training fight — against bland classic bots, free -->
           <div class="pt-2 border-t border-border/30">
diff --git a/server/src/routes/queue.ts b/server/src/routes/queue.ts
index 82da57f..d3d5a19 100644
--- a/server/src/routes/queue.ts
+++ b/server/src/routes/queue.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { joinQueue, leaveQueue, getQueueSize, getQueueSnapshot } from '../engine
 import { joinRankedQueue, getRankedQueueStatus } from '../engine/ranked-queue.js'
 import { rateLimit } from '../middleware/rate-limit.js'
 import { joinRankedSchema, sanitizeError } from '../lib/validators.js'
+import { authenticateBot } from '../middleware/bot-auth.js'
 
 export const queueRouter = new Hono()
 
@@ -53,7 +54,15 @@ queueRouter.get('/ranked-status', (c) => {
   return c.json(getRankedQueueStatus())
 })
 
-// Join ranked queue — requires confirmed payment + bot ownership
+// Join ranked queue — requires confirmed payment + bot ownership.
+// Ownership can be proven either way, since ranked/staked fights are for
+// BOTH audiences (not just nostr-signed-in humans):
+//   1. pubkey (nostr-authenticated bots, the web UI's own JWT session flow)
+//   2. Authorization: Bot <id>:<secret> (anonymous poll-mode bots — the
+//      primary registration path for AI agents per BOTFIGHTS.md, which
+//      never have a publicKey at all: confirmed live, publicKey is null
+//      for every bot registered via POST /api/bots). Without this, staking
+//      was silently unusable for the whole poll-mode/AI-agent audience.
 queueRouter.post('/join-ranked/:botId', async (c) => {
   const botId = c.req.param('botId')
   const parsed = joinRankedSchema.safeParse(await c.req.json().catch(() => ({})))
@@ -64,13 +73,20 @@ queueRouter.post('/join-ranked/:botId', async (c) => {
 
   // Verify bot ownership in production
   if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production') {
-    if (!pubkey || typeof pubkey !== 'string' || pubkey.length !== 64) {
-      return c.json({ error: 'Missing pubkey' }, 400)
-    }
-    const botRows = await db.select({ publicKey: schema.bots.publicKey })
-      .from(schema.bots).where(eq(schema.bots.id, botId)).limit(1)
-    if (botRows.length === 0 || botRows[0].publicKey !== pubkey) {
-      return c.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, 403)
+    if (pubkey && typeof pubkey === 'string' && pubkey.length === 64) {
+      const botRows = await db.select({ publicKey: schema.bots.publicKey })
+        .from(schema.bots).where(eq(schema.bots.id, botId)).limit(1)
+      if (botRows.length === 0 || botRows[0].publicKey !== pubkey) {
+        return c.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, 403)
+      }
+    } else {
+      // No pubkey supplied — fall back to bot-secret auth (Authorization
+      // header or ?bot_id=&secret= query params, same as /api/fights/poll).
+      const botOrRes = await authenticateBot(c)
+      if (botOrRes instanceof Response) return botOrRes
+      if (botOrRes.botId !== botId) {
+        return c.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, 403)
+      }
     }
   }