When a buyer pays by card on a card-to-crypto checkout, an on-ramp provider sells them the crypto that settles your order, and charges for it. That charge is the on-ramp fee. It usually combines a percentage processing fee, a spread in the exchange rate, a network fee, and on small orders a minimum fee. On Caravel Pay the buyer pays it on top of your order total and sees it before confirming. You still receive the order total minus the 2% Caravel fee.
This page breaks down each part, lists five providers' published tariffs, and shows what they mean for a $20 and a $100 order.
The four parts of an on-ramp fee#
| Part | What it is | How it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Processing fee | The provider's charge for taking the card, Apple Pay or Google Pay payment | A percentage, sometimes plus a fixed amount |
| Spread | The gap between the market price and the price the provider sells at | Built into the exchange rate, not a separate line |
| Network fee | The cost of sending the crypto on-chain | A separate line, set by the network |
| Minimum fee | A floor on the processing fee | Only matters on small orders, where it can be the largest part |
Some providers also add a partner's fee when the purchase comes through another company's app. Topper, for example, says that when you order through one of its partners, the fee shown is "Topper's Fee + Partner's Fee". Caravel Pay adds nothing to the provider's fee: the 2% Caravel fee comes out of your payout, not out of the buyer's total.
Published tariffs for card payments#
These are each provider's own retail prices for buying crypto with a card, as published on 9 November 2026. They show the range buyers face. They are not a quote for any particular checkout: fees through a gateway's integration can differ, and which provider a buyer is offered depends on their country and payment method.
| Provider | Card / Apple Pay / Google Pay | Minimum or fixed part | Also charged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banxa | 1.99% processing (cards and Apple Pay) | None stated | Network fee; spread included in the price |
| Ramp Network | Up to 3.9% (cards in USD, EUR, GBP); up to 5.45% in other currencies. Apple Pay and Google Pay: same as the underlying card. | Minimum fee up to €2.49 | Network fee |
| Topper | 4.25% (cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo) | Minimum fee $3.99 | Network fee; partner's fee when bought through a partner |
| MoonPay (Europe, via partner apps) | Up to 4.5% (cards and alternative methods) | Minimum €3.99 below a threshold | Spread included in the price |
| Transak | Cards: 3.5% + €1 in EUR, 5.5% + €1 in other currencies. Apple Pay / Google Pay: 3.5% (EUR) or 5.5%, minimum €1. | €1 | Spread of 0–2.5%, included in the rate shown |
Bank transfers are much cheaper on most of these providers (0–2.4%), but card, Apple Pay and Google Pay are what online shoppers use.
What that means for a $20 and a $100 order#
Processing and minimum fees only, using the published card prices above. Spread and network fees come on top, and "up to" prices may be lower in practice.
| Published card price | $20 order | $100 order |
|---|---|---|
| 1.99% (Banxa) | $0.40 | $1.99 |
| Up to 3.9%, minimum up to €2.49 (Ramp Network, USD card) | Up to about €2.49 (the minimum) | Up to $3.90 |
| 4.25%, minimum $3.99 (Topper) | $3.99 (20% of the order) | $4.25 |
| Up to 4.5%, minimum €3.99 below a threshold (MoonPay Europe) | Up to €3.99 | Up to $4.50 |
| 5.5% + €1 (Transak, non-EUR card) | $1.10 + €1 | $5.50 + €1 |
The pattern is what matters. On a $100 order, published card on-ramp fees run from about 2% to 7%. On a $20 order, a minimum fee can turn that into 10–20%. Small baskets are where buyers feel on-ramp fees most.
How Caravel Pay handles the fee#
- The buyer pays it, on top, and sees it on the hosted checkout before they confirm. Nothing is hidden in the exchange rate on our side.
- You always get the order total minus the 2% Caravel fee. A $100 order pays out 98.00 USDC, whichever method or provider the buyer used.
- We take no cut of the provider's fee. The provider sets it, and it varies by provider, method and country.
The trade-off is that your buyer's total is higher than your price. Some gateways count the provider's fee as the merchant's cost instead (PayGate.to's live list, for example, prices routes as "2% + Provider" up to "5% + Provider"; see our PayGate.to review). Then the buyer pays exactly your price and you receive less. Neither model is free: someone pays the on-ramp.
How to keep on-ramp fees from costing you sales#
- Set a sensible minimum order. Minimum fees hit small orders hardest. A free-shipping threshold or a bundle can lift baskets above the point where the minimum dominates.
- Say it before checkout. A line such as "Pay by card. Your card provider adds a small fee, shown before you pay." stops buyers being surprised on the payment page.
- Price it in, if your margins allow. If your competitors' totals include the fee, a slightly lower item price can keep your all-in total competitive.
- Mention the identity check. Providers may ask a buyer to verify their identity before paying, usually only the first time. Buyers who expect it are less likely to abandon.
Frequently asked questions#
What is an on-ramp fee?#
The charge a provider makes for selling crypto to a buyer who pays with a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. It usually combines a processing percentage, a spread in the exchange rate, a network fee and, on small orders, a minimum fee.
How much does it cost to pay for crypto with a card?#
Published card prices on 9 November 2026 ranged from 1.99% processing (Banxa) to 5.5% + €1 (Transak, non-EUR cards), with minimum fees of up to $3.99 or €3.99 on small orders. Spread and network fees can come on top.
Who pays the on-ramp fee on Caravel Pay?#
The buyer, on top of your order total. It is shown before they pay, and Caravel Pay takes no cut of it.
Why is the fee so high on small orders?#
Many providers charge a minimum fee. A $3.99 minimum is 20% of a $20 order but only 4% of a $100 order.
Is Apple Pay cheaper than a card?#
Usually about the same. Most providers listed here charge Apple Pay and Google Pay at, or close to, the rate of the card behind them.
Sources#
- Banxa: how Banxa sets the price of cryptocurrency, checked 2026-11-09.
- Ramp Network: what fees are charged when buying crypto, checked 2026-11-09.
- Topper: costs and fees, checked 2026-11-09.
- MoonPay Europe: pricing disclosure, checked 2026-11-09.
- Transak: how Transak calculates prices and fees, checked 2026-11-09.
- PayGate.to live provider list, checked 2026-11-09.
- Caravel Pay docs: Payouts and fees.