Cryptocurrency

The Complete Guide to Cryptocurrency Fees and Strategies for Cutting Costs

Cryptocurrency is widely addressed in the media for a variety of reasons, including its turbulent background, its present struggle, and the entry of cryptocurrency into 401(k) plans.

Cryptocurrency news and sentiment may be unexpected, as can traders’ experiences. The bitcoin industry isn’t well-regulated like traditional financial investments.

Even if authorities are making progress, you must research cryptocurrency exchanges, transaction alternatives, and expenses.

I. There Are Thousands of Transactions Per Hour in Cryptocurrency

As Bitcoin alone is capable of more than 10,400 transactions per hour on average, and as opposed to stock exchanges, trading in cryptocurrencies may take place at any time of the day or night, the associated costs can rapidly build up.

In addition to the volume that is connected with trading cryptocurrencies, the fees may be rather variable, and there is presently no limit on them. The daily average cost of a Bitcoin transaction has fluctuated from $1.17 to $10.65 over the course of the previous year, after reaching an all-time high of almost $63 in the month of April 2021.

In this high-volume, a round-the-clock marketplace with free-range fees, having a strategy for entering and exiting cryptocurrency investments will provide the best chance of capital preservation. Knowing what to expect and having a plan for entering and exiting cryptocurrency investments will provide the best chance of capital preservation.

II. Types of Cryptocurrency Trading Fees

On a cryptocurrency exchange, an investor has the ability to carry out a diverse range of transactions, each of which is associated with its own unique fee structure. If you are trading cryptocurrencies, you should be reviewing fees on a frequent basis since the cost of any particular crypto transaction may fluctuate on a regular basis and with very little warning. There are two distinct charge structures for cryptocurrencies. An examination of each will follow.

1. Exchange Fees

It is necessary for a cryptocurrency exchange to connect itself to part of the financial momentum that is going through it in order for it to generate profits. In most instances, this entails charging fees to buy bitcoin in Canada are quite frequent, such as:
● Trading
● Deposits made when moving crypto to online storage spaces, like digital wallets
● Withdrawals and liquidations
● Loans

2. Network Fees

The term “cryptocurrency” refers to a kind of digital asset that, as of the present time, is not governed by any regulator, not even the government. The cryptocurrency is stored on networks and computers located all over the world. At the moment, transactions involving cryptocurrency only involve the buyer and the seller, since there is no central authority overseeing the process.

However, the transaction does need to be recorded, and as a result, you will be required to pay network fees in order to make up for the resources that will be required in order to verify and record your transaction on the public blockchain.

III. What Are the Fees for Cryptocurrency?

The vast majority of cryptocurrency exchanges levy transaction fees that range from 0 percent to 1.5 percent, with the exact percentage fluctuating based on whether you are a maker (buyer) or taker (seller). Fees are different for each exchange.

That implies that if you have $1,000 that you want to invest in cryptocurrency, the fee that you’ll pay for that transaction might be anything from zero dollars to fifteen dollars on average depending on the type of crypto. 

IV. How To Minimize Crypto Trading Fees

The effect that fees have on a cryptocurrency investor’s wallet is very variable, and this is not something that is unique to the Bitcoin network. For example, on May 1st, the average transaction fees on Ethereum reached a new all-time high of $196.68, setting a new record. Two days later, the fees were reduced to $16.27, and they are presently ranging around between $5 and $10.

Given the vast variety of costs, the timing of your trades and the technique you use for other transactions are of critical importance. The following are some suggestions for keeping crypto transaction costs to a minimum:

1. Use an Exchange With Commission-Free Trading

Stock trading commissions have also been abolished by the Robinhood app, which charges no fees for stock transactions. BlockFi, Shakepay, and Uphold are other cryptocurrency exchanges that don’t charge commissions for cryptocurrency trading.

If you’re a seller, you don’t pay any fees, but if you’re a buyer, you have to pay a charge. Some exchanges may charge for the spread. In addition, there are expenses associated with using more advanced trading choices.

Despite the fact that most exchanges, including Coinbase and Binance, have fees of some kind, there are methods to keep the costs to a minimum.

Keeping a close eye on the kind of transactions investors are engaging in might also help them save money while trading cryptocurrencies. Limit orders, for example, tend to be less costly than other kinds of orders because of their smaller size. When an investor places a limit order, for example, the price at which they will purchase or sell shares is predetermined. The price of the stock determines whether or not buy limit orders are completed at their lower or higher limits. Contrary to this, investors who use limit orders have no way of knowing whether or not their orders will be honored. You can’t buy or sell if you’re not at the maximum price.

2. Be Strategic About Your Transaction Types

It’s possible that you wish to get out of an investment in cryptocurrencies, but ask yourself this: Do you need fiat cash from the trade? In the event that this is not the case, you may be able to sell your crypto holding for another cryptocurrency investment while incurring just low transaction costs.

There are certain exchanges that may charge you a fee to deposit money into your digital wallet. Additionally, there may be conversion costs associated with converting bitcoin into fiat cash.

3. Maximize Your Investments by Keeping Crypto Fees in Check

When it comes to creating a strategy for their finances, investors almost often center their attention only on returns. However, paying attention to the fees associated with investing is just as vital, if not more so. Fees have the potential to significantly reduce the value of your portfolio, especially over the course of time.

There is no exception to this rule when it comes to cryptocurrency. Even when the transaction does not involve a third party, such as a brokerage firm or other financial institution, there is still a cost associated with exchanging cryptocurrencies. In order to maintain the function that they serve, online networks need to be controlled, deals need to be recorded, and cryptocurrency exchanges need to generate money.

4. Trade Less Often

To put it simply, the more often you trade, the greater the influence transaction costs and bid/ask spreads have. The exchange deducts a charge from your balance for each transaction. In addition, each transaction comes with a spread, which lowers your return on the types of crypto, like Litecoin, that you’re trading by a significant amount.

Those transfers are significantly more expensive for investors who often trade between their crypto accounts and their bank accounts. So, HODLing and trading less often are two easy ways to reduce fees and trading expenses.

5. Buy Cryptocurrency With Coins

When you convert bitcoin into fiat money, often known as the currency backed by the government, you will almost certainly be subject to fees for both the relevant withdrawal and the deposit into your digital wallet.

On the other hand, if you trade using coins, it could not cost you anything. Think about using this tactic to cut down or get rid of your cryptocurrency transaction costs.

6. Watch Transaction Amounts

There are a number of cryptocurrency exchanges, and many of them charge a fee in the form of a percentage of the amount that is exchanged. This percentage is often somewhere around 0.1 percent, which means that if you trade $10,000 worth of bitcoin, you may be subject to a $10 cost. In certain circumstances, you may be able to pay a flat price, but in general, the greater the size of the transaction, the higher the total cost will be.

7. Offset Crypto Fees by Taking Advantage of Promotions

Exchanges for cryptocurrencies are still in their infancy, and the market is fiercely competitive. In order to entice new customers, a continual stream of new rivals is providing low costs or even fee-free trading. Being a crypto exchange’s first client, on the other hand, carries some risk.

Despite this, even some of the most well-known companies provide low- or no-fee discounts to attract new customers. However, keep in mind that many of these deals have an expiry date. This means the investor must choose between keeping their crypto assets on a certain trading platform and moving them elsewhere, which may incur extra costs.

Sign-up incentives and other promotions at various cryptocurrency exchanges provide new users free bitcoin, which helps offset the cost of transaction fees in your portfolio. Here are a few instances:

➢ Signing up with Coinbase and completing a cryptocurrency purchase will earn you up to $6 in bitcoin.

➢ Signing up for Gemini, establishing a bank account, and completing a minimum transaction can get you up to $50.

➢ If you introduce a friend to Voyager and they complete a minimum transaction, you may earn up to $50.

➢ Celsius is offering a $50 bonus for new customers who join up.

➢ When a friend of yours joins up with eToro and makes a minimum purchase, you’ll get $30.

➢ When you register a BlockFi account and trade $1,000 to $100,000 in cryptocurrency, you may earn $10 to $1,000 in bitcoin.

8. Shop Around

Because there are so many crypto exchanges vying for investors’ money, trading costs are always shifting. If you’re a regular trader or want to cash out soon, it pays to perform some research and compare different investment options. However, these charges should not be the only factor taken into account. A cryptocurrency exchange’s security and support need thorough scrutiny due to the possibility of catastrophic security problems.

You should also consider which coins are covered by the wallet. Cardano is an example of a minor cryptocurrency that is not supported by every exchange.

To Be Acquainted With

Investors should be aware that cryptocurrency exchanges aren’t the only venues where they’ll have to pay fees. Cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds are being considered by a number of brokerage firms, including Fidelity.

Before making a purchase, investors should carefully consider all of the costs involved. Cryptocurrency has enough unknowns to necessitate further due diligence even though ETFs normally have lower fees than traditional diversified investments, such as mutual funds.

V. The Bottom Line

Investors who are interested in digital currency need to have a solid understanding of the possible risks associated with participating in a market that is highly volatile and is open around the clock. As a trader in cryptocurrencies, the time when you make your next investment choice may conceivably be at any given moment. Because of this, it is in your best advantage to ensure that your information about fees is always up to date.

Create a plan for purchasing, trading, and keeping cryptocurrencies, and be sure to evaluate that plan often due to the fact that new advancements will continue to take place in this space.

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