What are crypto payment gateways, and how do they work?

Cryptocurrency payment gateways, like Coinbase Commerce, PayPal, and BitPay, help businesses facilitate the processing of crypto payments, converting assets to traditional currencies. With their aid, merchants find it easier and seamless to receive both crypto assets and conventional currencies as payment for products or services they offer.

There are two types of payment gateways for cryptocurrency. One is custodial gateways, which hold onto the profits of merchants till a withdrawal order is made. On the other hand, non-custodial gateways transfer profits immediately to the wall of the merchant once the transaction has been completed.

In this article, you will learn more about cryptocurrency payment gateways as we talk about the mechanism, advantages, and disadvantages of crypto payment gateways.

How does a crypto payment gateway work?

If a business plans to offer a payment option through a particular crypto asset due to popular demand by its customers but does not wish to venture into the crypto market, ultimately, a crypto payment gateway comes to the rescue of such a business. In return for its services, it charges operational fees from users to stay active. Below is the mechanism of crypto payment gateways used in executing payment orders:

• It starts when a customer shops for goods or services on a merchant’s business platform and decides to pay with crypto asset via a payment gateway

• Once the order is initiated, the customer would be locked in a transfer window whereby the value of the crypto asset they wish to spend and the fiat currency equivalent would be frozen for conversion to take place.

• Instantly, the funds would be converted, and the fiat currency equivalent would be deposited in the merchant’s wallet, ready for withdrawal.

Advantages of crypto payment gateways

• Global Reach: Crypto payment gateways enable businesses to accept customer payments worldwide, eliminating international transaction barriers and currency conversion costs.

• Faster Transactions: Crypto transactions are typically faster than traditional banking systems, increasing payment processing speed tremendously.

• Lower Transaction fees: compared with payments via credit card, crypto payments have lower processing fees, saving businesses money.

• Security: Blockchain technology offers robust security features, reducing the risk of fraud, chargebacks, and unauthorized access.

• Accessibility: Cryptocurrencies can be used by individuals who lack access to traditional banking services, expanding a business’s potential customer base.

• Privacy: crypto transactions are encrypted, offering a degree of privacy to customers. In addition, using crypto payment gateways do not require much personal data unlike traditional payment gateways.

• Reduced Risk of Currency Volatility: Some crypto payment gateways offer instant conversion of received cryptocurrencies into fiat currency, protecting businesses from crypto price fluctuations.

• Innovative Appeal: Accepting crypto payments can attract tech-savvy customers and position a business as forward-thinking and innovative in the market.

• These advantages make crypto payment gateways an attractive option for businesses looking to enhance their payment options and cater to a broader customer base.

Disadvantages of crypto payment gateways

• Volatility: Cryptocurrencies are known for their price volatility. Accepting crypto payments can expose businesses to the risk of sudden and significant value fluctuations.

• Limited Adoption: the crypro industrial is receive wide global adoption, no doubts, but it still has a long way to go when compare with traditional payment methods. Hence, this impacts the number of customers that use crypto payment gateways.

• Regulatory Uncertainty: different jurisdictions have different cryptocurrency regulatory standards. The ambiguous crypto rules can ignite legal and compliance challenges for startups using cryptocurrency payment gateways.

• Complexity: Crypto payments are more complex to manage in comparison with traditional payment methods. As a result, businesses sometimes have to deal with problems like security, wallet management and task issues posing huge challenges to crypro novices. 

Conclusion: Are crypto payment gateways safe?

Before choosing a crypto payment gateway, knowing how your service provider stores crypto assets and fiat currency is crucial. In addition, you should consider the transaction fees, crypto assets supported on the platform, and previous scams or hacks history of the platform.

Another vital factor to consider when choosing a safe crypto payment gateway is its customer support services, are they accessible, constant, and active? To know more about the reputation of a crypto payment gateway, read reviews about it and its service terms and conditions. After diligent research, you can choose anyone that suits your purpose best.