diff --git a/src/features/payments/flows/direct-send/useDirectSendFlow.ts b/src/features/payments/flows/direct-send/useDirectSendFlow.ts
index 81cf02930..34002956d 100644
--- a/src/features/payments/flows/direct-send/useDirectSendFlow.ts
+++ b/src/features/payments/flows/direct-send/useDirectSendFlow.ts
@@ -51,7 +51,14 @@ export function useDirectSendFlow() {
     const { user } = useAuth()
     const { createCharge, isCreating: isCreatingCharge } = useChargeManager()
     const { recordPayment, isRecording } = usePaymentRecorder()
-    const { isConnected, address: walletAddress, sendMoney, formattedBalance, hasSufficientBalance } = useWallet()
+    const {
+        isConnected,
+        address: walletAddress,
+        sendMoney,
+        formattedBalance,
+        hasSufficientBalance,
+        isFetchingBalance,
+    } = useWallet()
 
     const isLoggedIn = !!user?.user?.userId
 
@@ -84,9 +91,18 @@ export function useDirectSendFlow() {
     }, [amount, hasSufficientBalance])
 
     // check if should show insufficient balance error
+    // gate on !isFetchingBalance to avoid flash while balance is still loading
     const isInsufficientBalance = useMemo(() => {
-        return isLoggedIn && !!amount && !hasEnoughBalance && !isLoading && !isCreatingCharge && !isRecording
-    }, [isLoggedIn, amount, hasEnoughBalance, isLoading, isCreatingCharge, isRecording])
+        return (
+            isLoggedIn &&
+            !!amount &&
+            !hasEnoughBalance &&
+            !isFetchingBalance &&
+            !isLoading &&
+            !isCreatingCharge &&
+            !isRecording
+        )
+    }, [isLoggedIn, amount, hasEnoughBalance, isFetchingBalance, isLoading, isCreatingCharge, isRecording])
 
     // execute the payment (called from input view)
     const executePayment = useCallback(async () => {
diff --git a/src/features/payments/flows/semantic-request/useSemanticRequestFlow.ts b/src/features/payments/flows/semantic-request/useSemanticRequestFlow.ts
index dc43176f8..82775c0b6 100644
--- a/src/features/payments/flows/semantic-request/useSemanticRequestFlow.ts
+++ b/src/features/payments/flows/semantic-request/useSemanticRequestFlow.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ export function useSemanticRequestFlow() {
         sendTransactions,
         formattedBalance,
         hasSufficientBalance,
+        isFetchingBalance,
     } = useWallet()
 
     // use token selector context for ui integration
@@ -174,11 +175,13 @@ export function useSemanticRequestFlow() {
     }, [amount, hasSufficientBalance])
 
     // check if should show insufficient balance error
+    // gate on !isFetchingBalance to avoid flash while balance is still loading
     const isInsufficientBalance = useMemo(() => {
         return (
             isLoggedIn &&
             !!amount &&
             !hasEnoughBalance &&
+            !isFetchingBalance &&
             !isLoading &&
             !isCreatingCharge &&
             !isFetchingCharge &&
@@ -189,6 +192,7 @@ export function useSemanticRequestFlow() {
         isLoggedIn,
         amount,
         hasEnoughBalance,
+        isFetchingBalance,
         isLoading,
         isCreatingCharge,
         isFetchingCharge,
diff --git a/src/features/payments/shared/components/SendWithPeanutCta.tsx b/src/features/payments/shared/components/SendWithPeanutCta.tsx
index 644937bc8..62656a627 100644
--- a/src/features/payments/shared/components/SendWithPeanutCta.tsx
+++ b/src/features/payments/shared/components/SendWithPeanutCta.tsx
@@ -44,10 +44,15 @@ export default function SendWithPeanutCta({
     const { user, isFetchingUser } = useAuth()
 
     const isLoggedIn = !!user?.user?.userId
+    // assume logged in while fetching to prevent "Join Peanut" flash
+    const showAsLoggedIn = isFetchingUser || isLoggedIn
 
     const handleClick = (e: React.MouseEvent<HTMLButtonElement>) => {
+        // don't act while auth is still resolving
+        if (isFetchingUser) return
+
         // if auth is required and user is not logged in, redirect to login
-        if (requiresAuth && !user?.user?.userId && !isFetchingUser) {
+        if (requiresAuth && !isLoggedIn) {
             saveRedirectUrl()
             router.push('/setup')
             return
@@ -66,14 +71,14 @@ export default function SendWithPeanutCta({
     }
 
     const icon = useMemo((): IconName | undefined => {
-        if (!isLoggedIn) {
+        if (!showAsLoggedIn) {
             return undefined
         }
         if (insufficientBalance) {
             return 'arrow-down'
         }
         return 'arrow-up-right'
-    }, [isLoggedIn, insufficientBalance])
+    }, [showAsLoggedIn, insufficientBalance])
 
     const peanutLogo = useMemo((): React.ReactNode => {
         return (
@@ -94,7 +99,7 @@ export default function SendWithPeanutCta({
             onClick={handleClick}
             {...props}
         >
-            {!isLoggedIn ? (
+            {!showAsLoggedIn ? (
                 <div className="flex items-center gap-1">
                     <div>Join </div>
                     {peanutLogo}