"Gas fees" are the costs you pay to have a transaction processed on a blockchain. They go to the people who keep the network running, and they're why transferring $5 can sometimes cost more than $5 — or almost nothing, depending on the network.
Why fees exist
Blockchains have limited space per block. When more people want to send transactions than there's room, the network auctions the space to the highest bidders. That's why fees rise during busy periods and drop to near zero when it's quiet.
Why networks differ
Every network prices differently. Ethereum's gas is priced per unit of computation and can spike sharply; Bitcoin uses a competing fee market too. Token networks like TRC20 and BEP20 are built on lower-cost chains, so transfers are typically fast and cheap. Fees are never fixed — they always depend on current network conditions.
How to pay less
- Send during quiet hours, when demand is lower
- Choose a lower-fee network for stablecoin transfers (e.g., TRC20 or BEP20)
- Batch transfers instead of sending many small ones
- Check the network's current fee level before you confirm
What to watch for
Always confirm the network on both the sending and receiving side — a wrong network can lose funds permanently. And treat any wallet or exchange that promises "zero fees" with care: the cost is often hidden elsewhere.
Network costs are the practical side of moving value around — and the stablecoins you move with them are explained in our stablecoin guide.
