FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Cascade
Plain-language answers for businesses, developers and teams new to OTP.
What is Cascade?
Cascade is an API and dashboard for outbound OTP delivery to your user’s phone via WhatsApp and Telegram. It is not virtual-number rental.
What is cascade delivery?
The message goes to WhatsApp or Telegram first. If the messenger is unavailable, Cascade can send SMS. You are charged only for successful delivery.
Does Cascade provide virtual numbers?
No. Cascade sends the code to your user’s number and does not rent disposable phones.
How much does OTP delivery cost?
WhatsApp and Telegram cost 3 ₸ per successful delivery. SMS will cost 8 ₸ after the channel launches. Packs lower the average unit price.
Is there a subscription fee?
No. You only pay for purchased balance and successful deliveries at the channel rate.
Which channels are available now?
WhatsApp and Telegram are live. SMS is already in the API and billing, but the public SMS provider is not launched yet.
How do I connect the API?
Create a company account, generate a Bearer key in the cabinet, and call https://cascade.kz/api from your backend only. Setup usually takes about 3 minutes.
How do send and verify work?
Send delivers a one-time code to the user’s phone. Verify checks the code entered by the user and returns the result to your system.
When is balance charged?
Balance is charged under the successful-delivery rules of the selected channel, not merely for an attempt to send.
Where should I store the API key?
Only on the server: in a secret store or environment variables. Never put the key in a browser or mobile app.
How long is an OTP valid?
The default TTL for a six-digit code is 5 minutes. Resend rules and rate limits are covered in the docs.
What if the code does not arrive?
Check delivery status in the cabinet or via API, confirm the number is in international format and the channel is available, then resend within cooldown rules.
How do I top up balance?
Buy a pack or top up from 100 units in the cabinet. After registration you get 1000 ₸ of starting balance.
How is Cascade different from a plain SMS gateway?
It is OTP-first: messengers are cheaper than SMS, with channel cascade, verify API, webhooks and pay-per-successful-delivery.
Where are the docs and OpenAPI?
Docs live at /docs, the endpoint reference at /api, and the schema at /openapi.yaml.