diff --git a/src/components/connect/ConnectIntentHandler.tsx b/src/components/connect/ConnectIntentHandler.tsx
index aa33b087..fb48de95 100644
--- a/src/components/connect/ConnectIntentHandler.tsx
+++ b/src/components/connect/ConnectIntentHandler.tsx
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ export function ConnectIntentHandler() {
         coinId={params.coinId as string}
         memo={params.memo as string | undefined}
         onResolve={() => resolveIntent({ success: true })}
+        onReject={(message) => rejectIntent(ERROR_CODES.TRANSFER_FAILED, message)}
         onCancel={handleClose}
       />
     );
@@ -123,6 +124,7 @@ export function ConnectIntentHandler() {
         coinId={params.coinId as string}
         message={params.message as string | undefined}
         onResolve={(requestId) => resolveIntent({ success: true, requestId })}
+        onReject={(message) => rejectIntent(ERROR_CODES.INTERNAL_ERROR, message)}
         onCancel={handleClose}
       />
     );
diff --git a/src/components/connect/IntentConfirmModal.tsx b/src/components/connect/IntentConfirmModal.tsx
index bdca96d3..36e38933 100644
--- a/src/components/connect/IntentConfirmModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/connect/IntentConfirmModal.tsx
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ interface IntentConfirmModalProps {
   icon: LucideIcon;
   /** Body content (the amount/recipient card). */
   children: ReactNode;
-  /** Inline error shown above the action buttons. */
-  error?: string | null;
   /** Disables the confirm button (e.g. insufficient balance). */
   confirmDisabled?: boolean;
   /** True while the underlying action is running. */
@@ -32,12 +30,15 @@ interface IntentConfirmModalProps {
  * amount input here. This matches how every major wallet treats a
  * dApp-requested transfer (MetaMask, Phantom, WalletConnect): the amount
  * travels in base units and the wallet only formats it for display.
+ *
+ * On failure the consumer rejects the intent (so the dApp is informed) and the
+ * wallet's global query handler toasts the error — so this shell renders no
+ * inline error.
  */
 export function IntentConfirmModal({
   title,
   icon,
   children,
-  error,
   confirmDisabled,
   busy,
   confirmLabel,
@@ -52,8 +53,6 @@ export function IntentConfirmModal({
       <div className="px-6 py-5 flex-1 flex flex-col justify-center">
         {children}
 
-        {error && <div className="text-red-500 text-sm mb-3 text-center">{error}</div>}
-
         <div className="flex gap-3">
           <Button variant="secondary" fullWidth onClick={onCancel} disabled={busy}>
             Cancel
diff --git a/src/components/connect/PaymentRequestIntentModal.tsx b/src/components/connect/PaymentRequestIntentModal.tsx
index d6c5d74e..05e363d5 100644
--- a/src/components/connect/PaymentRequestIntentModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/connect/PaymentRequestIntentModal.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ interface PaymentRequestIntentModalProps {
   message?: string;
   /** Called after the request is sent (resolves the intent). */
   onResolve: (requestId?: string) => void;
+  /** Called when sending the request fails (rejects the intent with the message). */
+  onReject: (message: string) => void;
   /** Called when the user cancels (rejects the intent). */
   onCancel: () => void;
 }
@@ -24,7 +26,8 @@ interface PaymentRequestIntentModalProps {
  * specifies who to bill, the coin and the amount (in base units); the user
  * approves or rejects — the amount is NOT editable here. The base-unit amount is
  * passed to the SDK verbatim; `formatAmount` renders a human-readable figure for
- * review only. Coin metadata comes from the registry (a request needs no balance).
+ * review only. Coin metadata comes from the registry (a request needs no
+ * balance). A failed send rejects the intent rather than leaving it hanging.
  */
 export function PaymentRequestIntentModal({
   to,
@@ -32,11 +35,11 @@ export function PaymentRequestIntentModal({
   coinId,
   message,
   onResolve,
+  onReject,
   onCancel,
 }: PaymentRequestIntentModalProps) {
   const { sphere } = useSphereContext();
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
-  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
   const registry = TokenRegistry.getInstance();
   const def = registry.getDefinition(coinId);
@@ -47,9 +50,8 @@ export function PaymentRequestIntentModal({
   const displayAmount = formatAmount(amount, { decimals, symbol, maxFractionDigits: 8 });
 
   const handleSend = async () => {
-    setError(null);
     if (!sphere) {
-      setError('Wallet not available');
+      onReject('Wallet not available');
       return;
     }
     setBusy(true);
@@ -63,9 +65,7 @@ export function PaymentRequestIntentModal({
       if (!result.success) throw new Error(result.error || 'Failed to send payment request');
       onResolve(result.requestId || undefined);
     } catch (err) {
-      setError(getErrorMessage(err));
-    } finally {
-      setBusy(false);
+      onReject(getErrorMessage(err));
     }
   };
 
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ export function PaymentRequestIntentModal({
       busy={busy}
       confirmLabel="Send Request"
       busyLabel="Sending…"
-      error={error}
       onConfirm={handleSend}
       onCancel={onCancel}
     >
diff --git a/src/components/connect/SendIntentModal.tsx b/src/components/connect/SendIntentModal.tsx
index 3c6a8ea6..fff08c17 100644
--- a/src/components/connect/SendIntentModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/connect/SendIntentModal.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ interface SendIntentModalProps {
   memo?: string;
   /** Called after the transfer succeeds (resolves the intent). */
   onResolve: () => void;
+  /** Called when the transfer fails (rejects the intent with the message). */
+  onReject: (message: string) => void;
   /** Called when the user cancels (rejects the intent). */
   onCancel: () => void;
 }
@@ -24,13 +26,13 @@ interface SendIntentModalProps {
  * recipient, coin and amount (in base units); the user approves or rejects — the
  * amount is NOT editable here (a different amount = a different dApp request).
  * The base-unit amount is handed to the SDK verbatim; `formatAmount` is used only
- * to render a human-readable figure for review.
+ * to render a human-readable figure for review. A failed transfer rejects the
+ * intent (the dApp is told) rather than leaving it hanging.
  */
-export function SendIntentModal({ to, amount, coinId, memo, onResolve, onCancel }: SendIntentModalProps) {
+export function SendIntentModal({ to, amount, coinId, memo, onResolve, onReject, onCancel }: SendIntentModalProps) {
   const { assets } = useAssets();
   const { transfer } = useTransfer();
   const [busy, setBusy] = useState(false);
-  const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
   // Prefer the held asset (gives balance); fall back to the registry for
   // metadata when the coin isn't held, so we can still display it sensibly.
@@ -49,16 +51,15 @@ export function SendIntentModal({ to, amount, coinId, memo, onResolve, onCancel
   const displayAmount = formatAmount(amount, { decimals, symbol, maxFractionDigits: 8 });
 
   const handleSend = async () => {
-    setError(null);
     setBusy(true);
     try {
       const recipient = to.startsWith('DIRECT://') ? to : to.replace(/^@/, '');
       await transfer({ coinId, amount, recipient, ...(memo ? { memo } : {}) });
       onResolve();
     } catch (err) {
-      setError(getErrorMessage(err));
-    } finally {
-      setBusy(false);
+      // Tell the dApp it failed instead of leaving the request hanging; the
+      // wallet's global query handler also surfaces a toast.
+      onReject(getErrorMessage(err));
     }
   };
 
@@ -70,7 +71,6 @@ export function SendIntentModal({ to, amount, coinId, memo, onResolve, onCancel
       confirmLabel="Send"
       busyLabel="Sending…"
       confirmDisabled={insufficient}
-      error={error}
       onConfirm={handleSend}
       onCancel={onCancel}
     >
diff --git a/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendModal.tsx b/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendModal.tsx
index 73cc2dc5..089ccf71 100644
--- a/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendModal.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState, useEffect, useRef, useCallback } from 'react';
+import { useState, useCallback } from 'react';
 import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
 import { ArrowRight, Loader2, User, CheckCircle, Coins, Hash, Copy, Check } from 'lucide-react';
 import type { Asset } from '@unicitylabs/sphere-sdk';
@@ -11,22 +11,12 @@ import { ModalHeader, Button } from '../../ui';
 
 type Step = 'asset' | 'details' | 'confirm' | 'processing' | 'success';
 
-export interface SendPrefill {
-  to: string;
-  amount: string;
-  coinId: string;
-  memo?: string;
-}
-
 interface SendModalProps {
   isOpen: boolean;
   onClose: (result?: { success: boolean }) => void;
-  prefill?: SendPrefill;
-  /** Render as centered modal dialog instead of slide-in panel */
-  asModal?: boolean;
 }
 
-export function SendModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: SendModalProps) {
+export function SendModal({ isOpen, onClose }: SendModalProps) {
   const { assets: sdkAssets } = useAssets();
   const { transfer, isLoading: isTransferring } = useTransfer();
   const { sphere } = useSphereContext();
@@ -54,33 +44,6 @@ export function SendModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: SendModalProps)
   const [amountInput, setAmountInput] = useState('');
   const [memoInput, setMemoInput] = useState('');
 
-  // Pre-fill from connect intent (dApp request)
-  const prefillApplied = useRef(false);
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!prefill || !isOpen || prefillApplied.current) return;
-    if (assets.length === 0) return;
-
-    const { to, amount, coinId } = prefill;
-
-    if (to.startsWith('DIRECT://')) {
-      setRecipientMode('direct');
-      setRecipient(to);
-    } else {
-      setRecipientMode('nametag');
-      setRecipient(to.replace(/^@/, ''));
-    }
-
-    setAmountInput(amount);
-    if (prefill.memo) setMemoInput(prefill.memo);
-
-    const asset = assets.find(a => a.coinId === coinId);
-    if (asset) {
-      setSelectedAsset(asset);
-      setStep('confirm');
-      prefillApplied.current = true;
-    }
-  }, [prefill, isOpen, assets]);
-
   const handleRecipientChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
     if (recipientMode === 'nametag') {
       const value = e.target.value.toLowerCase();
@@ -103,7 +66,6 @@ export function SendModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: SendModalProps)
     setAmountInput('');
     setMemoInput('');
     setRecipientError(null);
-    prefillApplied.current = false;
   };
 
   const handleClose = () => {
@@ -201,7 +163,7 @@ export function SendModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: SendModalProps)
   };
 
   return (
-    <WalletScreen isOpen={isOpen} onClose={handleClose} asModal={asModal}>
+    <WalletScreen isOpen={isOpen} onClose={handleClose}>
       <ModalHeader variant="screen" title={getTitle()} onClose={getBackHandler()} />
 
       <div className="px-6 py-8 flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
diff --git a/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendPaymentRequestModal.tsx b/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendPaymentRequestModal.tsx
index 7f3e4d9f..b2705704 100644
--- a/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendPaymentRequestModal.tsx
+++ b/src/components/wallet/L3/modals/SendPaymentRequestModal.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
+import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { motion, AnimatePresence } from 'framer-motion';
 import { ArrowRight, Loader2, User, CheckCircle, Hash, Receipt } from 'lucide-react';
 import { TokenRegistry, parseTokenAmount, safeParseTokenAmount } from '@unicitylabs/sphere-sdk';
@@ -17,22 +17,12 @@ interface CoinOption {
   iconUrl?: string;
 }
 
-export interface PaymentRequestPrefill {
-  to: string;
-  amount: string;
-  coinId: string;
-  message?: string;
-}
-
 interface SendPaymentRequestModalProps {
   isOpen: boolean;
   onClose: (result?: { success: boolean; requestId?: string }) => void;
-  prefill?: PaymentRequestPrefill;
-  /** Render as centered modal dialog instead of slide-in panel */
-  asModal?: boolean;
 }
 
-export function SendPaymentRequestModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: SendPaymentRequestModalProps) {
+export function SendPaymentRequestModal({ isOpen, onClose }: SendPaymentRequestModalProps) {
   const { sphere } = useSphereContext();
 
   const [step, setStep] = useState<Step>('coin');
@@ -66,32 +56,6 @@ export function SendPaymentRequestModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: S
     setAvailableCoins(coins);
   }, [isOpen]);
 
-  const prefillApplied = useRef(false);
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (!prefill || !isOpen || prefillApplied.current) return;
-    if (availableCoins.length === 0) return;
-
-    const { to, amount, coinId, message } = prefill;
-
-    if (to.startsWith('DIRECT://')) {
-      setRecipientMode('direct');
-      setRecipient(to);
-    } else {
-      setRecipientMode('nametag');
-      setRecipient(to.replace(/^@/, ''));
-    }
-
-    setAmountInput(amount);
-    if (message) setMessageInput(message);
-
-    const coin = availableCoins.find(c => c.coinId === coinId);
-    if (coin) {
-      setSelectedCoin(coin);
-      setStep('confirm');
-      prefillApplied.current = true;
-    }
-  }, [prefill, isOpen, availableCoins]);
-
   const handleRecipientChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
     if (recipientMode === 'nametag') {
       const value = e.target.value.toLowerCase();
@@ -115,7 +79,6 @@ export function SendPaymentRequestModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: S
     setRecipientError(null);
     setError(null);
     setRequestId(null);
-    prefillApplied.current = false;
   };
 
   const handleClose = () => {
@@ -215,7 +178,7 @@ export function SendPaymentRequestModal({ isOpen, onClose, prefill, asModal }: S
   };
 
   return (
-    <WalletScreen isOpen={isOpen} onClose={handleClose} asModal={asModal}>
+    <WalletScreen isOpen={isOpen} onClose={handleClose}>
       <ModalHeader variant="screen" title={getTitle()} onClose={getBackHandler()} />
 
       <div className="px-6 py-8 flex-1 overflow-y-auto">
diff --git a/src/sdk/errors.ts b/src/sdk/errors.ts
index 8ff7ce87..0b08f785 100644
--- a/src/sdk/errors.ts
+++ b/src/sdk/errors.ts
@@ -13,11 +13,40 @@ const FRIENDLY_OVERRIDES: Partial<Record<SphereErrorCode, string>> = {
   MODULE_NOT_AVAILABLE: 'Feature not available',
 };
 
+/**
+ * Turn a raw, non-user-facing error string into something safe to display.
+ * Backends (gateways/proxies) sometimes return an HTML error page (e.g. a 503)
+ * instead of a structured error; that markup must never reach the UI.
+ */
+function humanizeRawError(message: string): string {
+  const msg = message.trim();
+  // Raw HTML/markup error page (gateway 5xx, proxy, etc.): surface the server's
+  // OWN text (e.g. "503 Service Unavailable No server is available to handle this
+  // request.") rather than a canned line — but never the markup itself.
+  if (msg.startsWith('<')) {
+    const text = msg
+      .replace(/<[^>]+>/g, ' ')
+      .replace(/&nbsp;/gi, ' ')
+      .replace(/&amp;/gi, '&')
+      .replace(/&lt;/gi, '<')
+      .replace(/&gt;/gi, '>')
+      .replace(/\s+/g, ' ')
+      .trim();
+    if (!text) return 'Service temporarily unavailable. Try again later';
+    return text.length > 200 ? `${text.slice(0, 200)}…` : text;
+  }
+  if (/\bservice unavailable\b|\b50[234]\b|bad gateway|gateway timeout/i.test(msg)) {
+    return 'Service temporarily unavailable. Try again later';
+  }
+  return message;
+}
+
 export function getErrorMessage(err: unknown): string {
   if (isSphereError(err)) {
-    return FRIENDLY_OVERRIDES[err.code] ?? err.message;
+    return FRIENDLY_OVERRIDES[err.code] ?? humanizeRawError(err.message);
   }
-  return err instanceof Error ? err.message : 'Something went wrong';
+  if (err instanceof Error) return humanizeRawError(err.message);
+  return 'Something went wrong';
 }
 
 export function getErrorCode(err: unknown): SphereErrorCode | null {