Short answer

It depends on the path you choose. A custodial processor charges a conversion fee, often lower than card fees. Network fees are tiny, and on Lightning they are a fraction of a cent. If you self-custody and use Lightning, your cost can be close to zero.

The fee layers, plainly

  • Processor / conversion fee: a percentage the service takes to convert to dollars. Compare it to your card rate.
  • Network fee: paid to the blockchain. Minor on-chain, negligible on Lightning.
  • Self-custody: no processor fee at all, only the network fee.
Free tool

Use the Credit Card Fee Calculator to get your current card cost, then compare.

Common misconceptions

  • That crypto is always free. Convenience through a processor has a cost, just often a lower one.
  • That fees are unpredictable. For a merchant, they are as knowable as card rates.

Things to avoid

  • Comparing crypto fees to zero. Compare them to what cards cost you today.