The Truth About Crypto Card Fees: A Simple Cost Breakdown

When you pay with a crypto card, it feels no different from using a regular debit or credit card. Still, every transaction includes small fees that cover processing and currency conversion. They’re standard, and they help the payment go through quickly. Knowing them helps you decide how to use your card to get the most value.

Network Fees

Every crypto transfer comes with a network fee, or gas fee. This isn’t a charge from your card provider – it’s what the blockchain takes to confirm and record your transaction.

• On networks like Ethereum, fees can jump when the network gets busy.
• On chains like Solana or Polygon, the fee is usually only a few cents.

How to keep this cost low:

• Choose networks with lower fees when sending funds.
• Transfer during quieter hours when gas prices drop.
• Use stablecoins (USDC or USDT) on efficient chains for faster, cheaper transfers.

Platforms like KAST support multiple networks, giving you flexibility to pick the most cost-effective option.

Conversion Spreads

Every time you spend with a crypto card, your crypto needs to be converted into the currency the store accepts. The conversion rate applied at checkout may look close to the live market rate, but there’s usually a slight difference. That difference is the conversion spread, which covers the cost of converting your assets instantly.

For most cards, spreads land between 1–2%, built directly into the rate rather than shown as an extra line on your receipt.

Why it matters:

Because the spread is tucked into the exchange rate, it can be easy to overlook. But it still impacts the final price you pay. Understanding it helps you get a clearer picture of how much each transaction really costs.

FX and Cross-Border Fees

If you’re traveling and use your crypto card in a country with a different currency, you’ll almost always see a foreign exchange (FX) fee. It’s the fee for converting your payment to the local currency so your purchase can go through.

Some providers make this pricier by converting your crypto to USD first, then converting USD again into the local currency. That double conversion quietly increases the total cost of every meal, ride, or hotel bill.

Newer platforms keep things much simpler. KAST uses a flat FX rate and converts straight into the currency you’re paying in. One step, one fee, and it’s much easier to understand what you’re being charged while you’re overseas.

DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion)

Some of the most expensive travel fees don’t come from your card – they come from the checkout terminal. When it asks, “Pay in USD or local currency?”, that’s DCC, and it usually works against you.

Choosing USD hands the conversion over to the merchant’s processor. Their exchange rates often include a 6–16% markup, turning a normal purchase into an overpriced one.

Take a €100 hotel charge:

A single decision saves you $14.

How to avoid it:

Always go with local currency. It keeps the conversion with your card, not the terminal, and that almost always means you pay less.

ATM and Withdrawal Fees

While crypto cards work in most places, sometimes getting physical cash is unavoidable. When that happens, you’ll see ATM and withdrawal fees.

Here’s what typically gets added to your withdrawal:

1. A fee from the ATM operator – the machine takes a cut.
2. A withdrawal fee from your crypto card provider.

This setup is the same as traditional bank cards. Depending on the ATM network and the country, fees are generally a flat amount or a small percentage of what you withdraw.

For example, pulling out $100 might cost you $2–3 from the ATM, plus the fee your provider charges.

Tip: Use ATMs sparingly. Paying directly with your card is usually cheaper because you avoid the ATM’s added fees.

Other Fees (Maintenance, Inactivity, and More)

Not all fees show up in day-to-day spending. Some are smaller administrative charges that depend on how you use your crypto card – and they’re easy to overlook.

Common ones include:

• Inactivity fees: if you haven’t used your card in a while.
• Replacement fees: when you request for a new physical card.
• Maintenance or premium plan fees: for added perks or lower FX rates.
• Shipping fees: especially for faster card delivery.

These kinds of fees aren’t exclusive to crypto – traditional card issuers charge them too. Luckily, many newer crypto card providers now minimize or remove these extra costs.

Bottom line: It’s worth checking the fee schedule upfront so you know exactly what to expect.

Using Rewards to Offset Everyday Crypto Fees

Yes, crypto cards have small fees per transaction, but most offer rewards that help offset those fees over time. If you use your card regularly, those rewards begin to cover part of what you’re paying.

For example, KAST gives users up to 10% back in KAST Points on eligible purchases. So even with a small fee attached, you’re earning something meaningful with every spend.

Quick Habits That Help You Save

A few easy adjustments can help you reduce your overall costs:

• Spend with stablecoins for predictable pricing.
• Combine your top-ups to avoid lots of small transfers.
• Choose networks with lower fees when funding your card.
• Track your rewards – they accumulate faster than you’d think.

These simple habits go a long way in keeping your fees under control.

Before You Pull Out Your Card Again

Understanding how fees work helps you make smarter choices when spending your crypto. A good card makes this simple with predictable rates, straightforward conversions, and rewards that actually matter.

That’s the approach taken by platforms like KAST – making crypto spending easy, clear, and more rewarding. See how it feels – sign up with KAST and start spending smarter.