I got the same 401 error.
This is how I resolve this 401 problem:
https://github.com/HemingwayLee/multichain-cheatsheet
In short, there are 2 multichain.conf files.
I allow access by modifying ~/.multichain/multichain.conf
```
rpcallowip=0.0.0.0/0
rpcport=7434
```
The rpcuser and rpcpassword will be generated automatically in ~/.multichain/chain1/multichain.conf, for example:
```
rpcuser=multichainrpc
rpcpassword=j3536YzAeJMXRZXLkt94bqmeWYWaKGNjETtDwAN2w6T
```
After putting rpcuser and rpcpassword to Basic Auth.
I am able to send JSON-RPC successfully.