diff --git a/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/cardano-client.ts b/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/cardano-client.ts
index 34aeb21b63..57f72821b5 100644
--- a/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/cardano-client.ts
+++ b/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/cardano-client.ts
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ export class CardanoClient extends BlockchainClient {
     return this.wallet.address;
   }
 
+  get isConfigured(): boolean {
+    return !!Config.blockchain.cardano.cardanoTatumApiKey;
+  }
+
   async getBlockHeight(): Promise<number> {
     const info = await this.getNetworkInfo();
     return info.tip;
diff --git a/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/services/cardano.service.ts b/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/services/cardano.service.ts
index 95696c69d6..f91be53505 100644
--- a/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/services/cardano.service.ts
+++ b/src/integration/blockchain/cardano/services/cardano.service.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ export class CardanoService extends BlockchainService {
     return this.client.walletAddress;
   }
 
+  get isConfigured(): boolean {
+    return this.client.isConfigured;
+  }
+
   verifySignature(message: string, address: string, signature: string, key?: string): boolean {
     try {
       return verifyCardanoSignature(signature, key, message, address);
diff --git a/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/services/payin-cardano.service.ts b/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/services/payin-cardano.service.ts
index b363f73c42..3daddd3e2a 100644
--- a/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/services/payin-cardano.service.ts
+++ b/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/services/payin-cardano.service.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ export class PayInCardanoService {
     return this.cardanoService.getWalletAddress();
   }
 
+  get isConfigured(): boolean {
+    return this.cardanoService.isConfigured;
+  }
+
   async getNativeCoinBalanceForAddress(address: string): Promise<number> {
     return this.cardanoService.getNativeCoinBalanceForAddress(address);
   }
diff --git a/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/strategies/register/impl/cardano.strategy.ts b/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/strategies/register/impl/cardano.strategy.ts
index 51c3cd1c25..cec4af850a 100644
--- a/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/strategies/register/impl/cardano.strategy.ts
+++ b/src/subdomains/supporting/payin/strategies/register/impl/cardano.strategy.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ export class CardanoStrategy extends RegisterStrategy {
 
   private readonly cardanoPaymentDepositAddress: string;
 
+  private unconfiguredWarned = false;
+
   constructor(
     private readonly payInCardanoService: PayInCardanoService,
     private readonly transactionRequestService: TransactionRequestService,
@@ -41,6 +43,16 @@ export class CardanoStrategy extends RegisterStrategy {
   //*** JOBS ***//
   @DfxCron(CronExpression.EVERY_MINUTE, { process: Process.PAY_IN, timeout: 7200 })
   async checkPayInEntries(): Promise<void> {
+    // not configured (no Tatum API key) -> skip, warn once
+    if (!this.payInCardanoService.isConfigured) {
+      if (!this.unconfiguredWarned) {
+        this.unconfiguredWarned = true;
+        this.logger.warn('Cardano has no Tatum API key configured — skipping pay-in check');
+      }
+
+      return;
+    }
+
     const activeDepositAddresses = await this.transactionRequestService.getActiveDepositAddresses(
       Util.hoursBefore(1),
       this.blockchain,