diff --git a/cashu/core/settings.py b/cashu/core/settings.py
index 5bd1886..52f3a32 100644
--- a/cashu/core/settings.py
+++ b/cashu/core/settings.py
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ class MintSettings(CashuSettings):
     mint_listen_port: int = Field(default=3338)
     mint_lightning_backend: str = Field(default="LNbitsWallet")
     mint_database: str = Field(default="data/mint")
+    mint_peg_out_only: bool = Field(default=False)
 
     mint_lnbits_endpoint: str = Field(default=None)
     mint_lnbits_key: str = Field(default=None)
diff --git a/cashu/mint/router.py b/cashu/mint/router.py
index 73c4305..dd8ba30 100644
--- a/cashu/mint/router.py
+++ b/cashu/mint/router.py
@@ -90,13 +90,15 @@ async def keysets() -> KeysetsResponse:
 
 
 @router.get("/mint", name="Request mint", summary="Request minting of new tokens")
-async def request_mint(amount: int = 0) -> GetMintResponse:
+async def request_mint(amount: int = 0) -> Union[GetMintResponse, CashuError]:
     """
     Request minting of new tokens. The mint responds with a Lightning invoice.
     This endpoint can be used for a Lightning invoice UX flow.
 
     Call `POST /mint` after paying the invoice.
     """
+    if settings.mint_peg_out_only:
+        return CashuError(code=0, error="Mint does not allow minting new tokens.")
     payment_request, payment_hash = await ledger.request_mint(amount)
     print(f"Lightning invoice: {payment_request}")
     resp = GetMintResponse(pr=payment_request, hash=payment_hash)
@@ -117,6 +119,8 @@ async def mint(
 
     Call this endpoint after `GET /mint`.
     """
+    if settings.mint_peg_out_only:
+        return CashuError(code=0, error="Mint does not allow minting new tokens.")
     try:
         promises = await ledger.mint(payload.outputs, payment_hash=payment_hash)
         blinded_signatures = PostMintResponse(promises=promises)