Crypto exchange fees explained: what you really pay
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
Buying and selling crypto usually costs more than the headline fee. Exchanges can charge a trading fee, add a spread to the price, and charge to deposit or withdraw, and the blockchain itself may charge a network fee.
The main types of fee
- Trading fee: a percentage of each buy or sell, sometimes lower for makers than takers.
- Spread: the gap between the buy and sell price, which is a cost even when the fee says zero.
- Deposit and withdrawal fees: for moving cash or crypto in and out.
- Network fee: paid to the blockchain when crypto is sent to another wallet.
How to compare
Work out how much crypto you'd end up with for the same amount of money, after every fee. That single number is fairer than comparing headline fee percentages.
Fees are charged twice
A round trip means paying on the buy and again on the sell, so a small price rise can still end in a loss. Our crypto profit calculator shows the break-even price after fees.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay crypto exchange platforms let your customers buy, sell and hold crypto under your own brand, and you set your own trading fee. Assets are held with regulated partners.
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This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.