#CryptoFees101 #CryptoFees101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Crypto Transaction Fees
Here's a simple breakdown of the most important things to understand about crypto fees:
🔹 What Are Crypto Fees?
Crypto fees are charges paid when you make transactions on a blockchain. They go to miners (Proof of Work) or validators (Proof of Stake) who help confirm and secure transactions.
🔹 Why Do Fees Exist?
To prevent spam on the network.
To reward miners/validators for processing transactions.
To prioritize transactions during busy times.
🔹 Types of Crypto Fees:
Network Fees (Gas Fees):
Common on Ethereum, Bitcoin, etc.
Paid to miners/validators.
Vary based on network congestion.
Example: Ethereum gas fees spike when the network is busy.
Exchange Fees:
Charged by platforms like Binance, Coinbase, etc.
Includes:
Trading fees (maker/taker)
Deposit/withdrawal fees
Wallet Fees:
Some crypto wallets charge small fees for sending crypto.
Often just cover the network fee, but can include a markup.
🔹 Gas vs. Fees (Simple):
"Gas" = fuel needed to process transactions (mostly used in Ethereum).
"Fee" = the amount paid for the gas.
🔹 How to Reduce Fees:
Use Layer 2 solutions (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism).
Time your transactions (avoid peak hours).
Use low-fee blockchains (e.g., Solana, Polygon).
Choose fee-friendly exchanges.
🔹 Examples of Fees:
BlockchainAvg. Fee (varies)Bitcoin$1 – $5+Ethereum$2 – $50+ (can spike)Solana< $0.01Polygon< $0.01
Want a cheat sheet or comparison chart for common platforms and their fees? Just ask!