Nov 4, 2025

Stripe vs. Crypto Fee Calculator (How Much You Save per Invoice)

Every time a client pays a $10,000 invoice with a credit card, you lose $320 to Stripe fees. That same invoice paid with cryptocurrency? About $100-150 in fees. Over a year with 50 invoices, that's $8,500-11,000 saved.

But the savings vary dramatically based on your invoice amounts, payment frequency, and which cryptocurrency your clients use. A $500 invoice might save you $10, while a $50,000 invoice could save you over $1,000.

This article breaks down the exact fee structures for Stripe credit card processing and cryptocurrency payments, provides real scenarios showing your savings, and includes an interactive calculator so you can see your specific savings based on your actual invoice amounts.

⚠️ INTERACTIVE CALCULATOR PLACEHOLDER

NOTE FOR DEVELOPMENT: This section will include a fully interactive JavaScript calculator allowing users to:

Enter their typical invoice amount
Enter number of monthly invoices
Select cryptocurrency type (BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC)
See real-time comparison of Stripe vs. crypto fees
View annual savings projection
Export calculations for business case

Calculator Features to Build:

Invoice amount input with validation
Monthly invoice frequency selector
Cryptocurrency dropdown (BTC/ETH/USDT/USDC with different fee %)
Real-time calculation display
Visual comparison charts
Annual projection multiplier
PDF export of calculations
Email results functionality

Return to this section to implement the actual calculator in JavaScript.

Understanding Stripe's Fee Structure

The Standard Stripe Pricing

Stripe charges a predictable fee for credit card payments:

Domestic Credit Cards:

2.9% + $0.30 per successful transaction

International Cards:

3.9% + $0.30 per successful transaction

Additional Fees:

1.5% currency conversion fee
$15 chargeback fee (whether you win or lose)
$2 additional for non-card payments (ACH)

Real Stripe Fee Examples

$500 Invoice:

Invoice Amount: $500.00
Stripe Fee: $14.80 (2.9%) + $0.30
Total Fee: $15.10
You Receive: $484.90
Effective Rate: 3.02%

$2,000 Invoice:

Invoice Amount: $2,000.00
Stripe Fee: $58.00 (2.9%) + $0.30
Total Fee: $58.30
You Receive: $1,941.70
Effective Rate: 2.915%

$10,000 Invoice:

Invoice Amount: $10,000.00
Stripe Fee: $290.00 (2.9%) + $0.30
Total Fee: $290.30
You Receive: $9,709.70
Effective Rate: 2.903%

$50,000 Invoice:

Invoice Amount: $50,000.00
Stripe Fee: $1,450.00 (2.9%) + $0.30
Total Fee: $1,450.30
You Receive: $48,549.70
Effective Rate: 2.901%

Pattern: The $0.30 flat fee becomes negligible on larger invoices, so effective rate approaches 2.9%.

International and Converted Payments

For international clients paying in different currencies:

$10,000 Invoice, International Card:

Invoice Amount: $10,000.00
Stripe Fee: $390.00 (3.9%) + $0.30
Total Fee: $390.30
You Receive: $9,609.70
Effective Rate: 3.903%

With Currency Conversion:

Invoice Amount: $10,000.00
International Fee: $390.30 (3.9% + $0.30)
+ Currency Conversion: $150.00 (1.5%)
Total Fee: $540.30
You Receive: $9,459.70
Effective Rate: 5.403%

For international payments, you're losing 5.4% of your revenue to fees.

Understanding Crypto Payment Fees

Cryptocurrency Fee Structure

Crypto payment fees vary by:

Which cryptocurrency (BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC)
Network congestion at time of payment
Payment processor fees
Whether you convert to fiat or hold crypto

Typical Fee Range: 1-2%

Fees by Cryptocurrency Type

Bitcoin (BTC):

Network Fee: $2-20 (varies with congestion)
Processor Fee: 1%
Total on $10k: ~$102-120 (1.0-1.2%)

Ethereum (ETH):

Network Fee: $5-50 (varies with gas prices)
Processor Fee: 1%
Total on $10k: ~$105-150 (1.05-1.5%)

USDT (Tether - on Tron):

Network Fee: $1-3 (very low on Tron network)
Processor Fee: 1%
Total on $10k: ~$101-103 (1.01-1.03%)

USDC (USD Coin):

Network Fee: $5-30 (on Ethereum) or $1-3 (on Polygon)
Processor Fee: 1%
Total on $10k: ~$101-130 (1.01-1.3%)

Best for Low Fees: USDT on Tron network (typically 1.01-1.03%)

PassimPay Fee Structure

Using PassimPay as an example crypto payment processor:

Standard Fees:

1% processing fee
+ Network transaction fees (blockchain-specific)
No monthly fees
No setup fees
No chargeback fees (crypto is irreversible)

Settlement Options:

Hold as crypto: No conversion fees
Auto-convert to fiat: Additional 0.5-1% conversion fee
Mixed approach: Hold some, convert some

Side-by-Side Comparison

Small Invoices ($500)

Stripe:

Invoice: $500.00
Fee: $15.10 (3.02%)
Net: $484.90

USDT Crypto:

Invoice: $500.00
Fee: $6.00 (1.2%)
Net: $494.00
Savings: $9.10 per invoice

Annual Impact (50 invoices):

Stripe fees: $755
Crypto fees: $300
Annual savings: $455

Medium Invoices ($5,000)

Stripe:

Invoice: $5,000.00
Fee: $145.30 (2.906%)
Net: $4,854.70

USDT Crypto:

Invoice: $5,000.00
Fee: $52.00 (1.04%)
Net: $4,948.00
Savings: $93.30 per invoice

Annual Impact (50 invoices):

Stripe fees: $7,265
Crypto fees: $2,600
Annual savings: $4,665

Large Invoices ($20,000)

Stripe:

Invoice: $20,000.00
Fee: $580.30 (2.902%)
Net: $19,419.70

USDT Crypto:

Invoice: $20,000.00
Fee: $202.00 (1.01%)
Net: $19,798.00
Savings: $378.30 per invoice

Annual Impact (50 invoices):

Stripe fees: $29,015
Crypto fees: $10,100
Annual savings: $18,915

Enterprise Invoices ($100,000)

Stripe:

Invoice: $100,000.00
Fee: $2,900.30 (2.900%)
Net: $97,099.70

USDT Crypto:

Invoice: $100,000.00
Fee: $1,002.00 (1.002%)
Net: $98,998.00
Savings: $1,898.30 per invoice

Annual Impact (12 invoices):

Stripe fees: $34,804
Crypto fees: $12,024
Annual savings: $22,780

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Web Development Agency

Profile:

Average invoice: $8,500
Monthly invoices: 6
Annual revenue: $612,000

Current (Stripe Only):

Average fee per invoice: $247.15
Monthly fees: $1,482.90
Annual fees: $17,795
Effective rate: 2.91%

With Crypto Option (40% adoption):

Stripe invoices (60%): 43 × $247.15 = $10,627
Crypto invoices (40%): 29 × $87.00 = $2,523
Annual fees: $13,150
Annual savings: $4,645

Even with only 40% crypto adoption, saving $4,645 per year.

Scenario 2: Marketing Consultancy

Profile:

Average invoice: $15,000
Monthly invoices: 3
Annual revenue: $540,000

Current (Stripe Only):

Average fee per invoice: $435.30
Monthly fees: $1,306
Annual fees: $15,672
Effective rate: 2.90%

With Crypto Option (25% adoption):

Stripe invoices (75%): 27 × $435.30 = $11,753
Crypto invoices (25%): 9 × $152.00 = $1,368
Annual fees: $13,121
Annual savings: $2,551

Even with low 25% crypto adoption, saving over $2,500 annually.

Scenario 3: SaaS Company (Annual Contracts)

Profile:

Average contract: $24,000
Annual customers: 100
Annual revenue: $2,400,000

Current (Stripe Only):

Average fee per payment: $696.30
Annual fees: $69,630
Effective rate: 2.90%

With Crypto Option (15% adoption):

Stripe payments (85%): 85 × $696.30 = $59,186
Crypto payments (15%): 15 × $243.00 = $3,645
Annual fees: $62,831
Annual savings: $6,799

With just 15% crypto adoption, saving nearly $7,000 annually.

Scenario 4: International Service Provider

Profile:

Average invoice: $12,000
70% international clients
Monthly invoices: 8
Annual revenue: $1,152,000

Current (Stripe with International Fees):

Domestic (30%): 29 × $348.30 = $10,101
International (70%): 67 × $468.30* = $31,376
Annual fees: $41,477
Effective rate: 3.6%

*International cards (3.9%) + currency conversion (1.5%)

With Crypto Option (50% international adoption):

Domestic Stripe (30%): 29 × $348.30 = $10,101
International Stripe (35%): 33 × $468.30 = $15,454
International Crypto (35%): 33 × $122.00 = $4,026
Annual fees: $29,581
Annual savings: $11,896

International business saves nearly $12,000 per year with crypto option.

The Break-Even Analysis

When Does Crypto Make Sense?

For Small Invoices (<$1,000):

Stripe fee: $30-60
Crypto fee: $12-25
Savings: $15-35 per invoice
Worth it if: You send 20+ small invoices monthly

For Medium Invoices ($1,000-$10,000):

Stripe fee: $30-320
Crypto fee: $12-105
Savings: $18-215 per invoice
Worth it if: You send 5+ invoices monthly

For Large Invoices ($10,000+):

Stripe fee: $320+
Crypto fee: $105+
Savings: $215+ per invoice
Worth it immediately - Every invoice saves significant money

The Math: If you send just 2 invoices per month averaging $10,000 each:

Annual Stripe fees: $6,967
Annual crypto fees: $2,496
Annual savings: $4,471

That's enough to hire a part-time employee or invest in growth.

Hidden Costs to Consider

Stripe Hidden Costs

Beyond the standard 2.9% + $0.30, watch for:

Dispute Fees:

$15 per chargeback (whether you win or lose)
If customer disputes and loses, you still pay $15
Typical chargeback rate: 0.5-1% of transactions

Failed Payment Fees:

$0.30 charged even if payment fails
Common with expired cards or insufficient funds

Currency Conversion:

1.5% additional fee for international payments
No control over conversion rate
Rate often worse than market rate

Volume Discounts:

Available only at very high volume (millions in revenue)
Small businesses pay full rate
Negotiation requires significant leverage

True Cost Example:

$10,000 invoice paid by international client:
- Base fee: $390.30 (3.9%)
- Currency conversion: $150.00 (1.5%)
- Failed first attempt: $0.30
- Total: $540.60 (5.4%)
You receive: $9,459.40

Crypto Hidden Costs

Network Congestion:

Bitcoin fees can spike to $20-60 during congestion
Ethereum gas fees can reach $50-100 during high demand
Stablecoins on Tron network remain consistently low
Solution: Accept USDT on Tron for consistent low fees

Price Volatility (if holding crypto):

Bitcoin/Ethereum can fluctuate 5-10% daily
Stablecoin (USDT/USDC) pegged to $1
Solution: Auto-convert to fiat or accept stablecoins

Conversion to Fiat:

If you convert crypto to USD: additional 0.5-1% fee
Conversion happens on exchanges with their own fees
Solution: Hold crypto or use stablecoins

Tax Complexity:

Must track fair market value at receipt
Capital gains/losses if holding and value changes
More complex accounting
Solution: Work with crypto-aware accountant or use stablecoins

True Cost Example:

$10,000 invoice paid with USDT:
- Processor fee: $100.00 (1%)
- Network fee: $2.00 (Tron)
- Conversion to USD: $50.00 (0.5%)
- Total: $152.00 (1.52%)
You receive: $9,848.00

Comparison:

Stripe (international): $9,459.40 (lost $540.60)
Crypto (USDT): $9,848.00 (lost $152.00)
Savings: $388.60 (3.9%)

Best Practices for Offering Both Payment Options

The Hybrid Approach

Most successful businesses offer both Stripe and crypto, letting clients choose:

Client Segmentation:

Crypto-Friendly Clients (typically offer crypto):

Tech startups and Web3 companies
Cryptocurrency industry businesses
International clients (especially Asia, Eastern Europe)
DAO and decentralized organizations
Fintech companies
Clients who specifically request crypto

Traditional Payment Clients (Stripe):

Enterprise corporations
Government contracts
Traditional SMBs
Clients unfamiliar with crypto
Regulated industries (initially)

Incentivizing Crypto Adoption

Discount for Crypto Payments: Offer 2-3% discount for crypto to encourage adoption while still saving money.

Example:

$10,000 invoice:
- Stripe fee: $290.30
- Crypto with 2% discount: $200 discount + $102 fee = $302
- Your cost is similar BUT client saves $200
- Better client relationship + faster payment

Early Payment Incentive:

"Pay within 7 days with cryptocurrency and get 3% off"

$10,000 invoice:
- Regular: $10,000
- With crypto + early pay: $9,700
- Your actual receipt: $9,598 (vs $9,709.70 with Stripe)
- Client saves: $300
- You save: $111.40 vs waiting 30 days for Stripe
- Improved cash flow: Priceless

Setting Payment Terms

Invoice Language:

PAYMENT TERMS:

Accepted Methods:
✓ Credit/Debit Card (Stripe): 2.9% processing fee
✓ Cryptocurrency (BTC/ETH/USDT/USDC): 1% processing fee + network costs
✓ Bank Wire (for invoices $10,000+): No fee

Cryptocurrency Discount:
Pay via cryptocurrency within 7 days for 2% discount

Payment Timeline:
- Due: Net 30
- Crypto payments: Confirmed within 2 hours
- Card payments: 3-5 business days to settle
- Wire transfers: 3-10 business days

Fee Comparison Tables

By Invoice Amount

Invoice    Stripe Fee    USDT Fee    Savings    Savings %
---------------------------------------------------------------
$500       $15.10        $6.00       $9.10      60%
$1,000     $29.30        $11.00      $18.30     62%
$2,500     $72.80        $26.00      $46.80     64%
$5,000     $145.30       $51.00      $94.30     65%
$10,000    $290.30       $102.00     $188.30    65%
$25,000    $725.30       $252.00     $473.30    65%
$50,000    $1,450.30     $502.00     $948.30    65%
$100,000   $2,900.30     $1,002.00   $1,898.30  65%

Pattern: Savings percentage stabilizes around 65% for invoices $2,500+

By Annual Volume

Monthly     Annual        Stripe       Crypto        Annual
Invoices    Revenue       Fees         Fees          Savings
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
$50k        $600k         $17,418      $6,120        $11,298
$100k       $1.2M         $34,836      $12,240       $22,596
$250k       $3M           $87,090      $30,600       $56,490
$500k       $6M           $174,180     $61,200       $112,980
$1M         $12M          $348,360     $122,400      $225,960

At $1M monthly revenue ($12M annually), crypto saves nearly $226,000 per year.

By Cryptocurrency Type

$10,000 Invoice Comparison:

Payment Method          Fee         You Receive    vs. Stripe
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stripe (domestic)       $290.30     $9,709.70      baseline
Stripe (international)  $540.30     $9,459.70      -$250
Bitcoin (BTC)          $120.00     $9,880.00      +$170.30
Ethereum (ETH)         $150.00     $9,850.00      +$140.30
USDT (Tron)            $102.00     $9,898.00      +$188.30
USDC (Polygon)         $105.00     $9,895.00      +$185.30

Winner: USDT on Tron - lowest fees, fastest settlement, no volatility

Implementation Strategy

Phase 1: Add Crypto Option (Week 1-2)

Step 1: Set Up Payment Gateway

Sign up for PassimPay
Complete verification (2-3 days)
Generate API credentials
Connect to invoicing platform

Step 2: Configure Accepted Currencies Start with stablecoins for simplicity:

USDT (Tether) - most widely held
USDC (USD Coin) - regulated and trusted
(Add BTC/ETH later after comfort with process)

Step 3: Update Invoice Templates Add payment options section:

Payment Methods Accepted:
• Credit/Debit Card (Stripe)
• Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
• Bank Wire ($10,000+ invoices)

Save 2% by paying with cryptocurrency within 7 days!

Step 4: Client Communication Email existing clients:

Subject: New Payment Option: Cryptocurrency

Hi [Client],

We're excited to announce we now accept cryptocurrency 
payments on invoices!

Benefits for you:
✓ Pay with USDT, USDC, Bitcoin, or Ethereum
✓ Save 2% with crypto payment (limited time)
✓ Faster payment confirmation (under 2 hours)
✓ No chargeback concerns

Your next invoice will include the crypto payment option.

Questions? Just reply to this email!

Phase 2: Monitor and Optimize (Month 1-3)

Track Key Metrics:

Week 1-4:
- Invoices with crypto option: 25
- Crypto payments received: 4 (16%)
- Stripe payments: 21 (84%)
- Savings: $377 (vs all Stripe)

Month 2:
- Crypto adoption: 24%
- Savings: $623

Month 3:
- Crypto adoption: 31%
- Savings: $891

Optimization Actions:

Increase discount for early adopters
Add more cryptocurrencies based on client requests
Improve crypto payment instructions
Share success stories with hesitant clients

Phase 3: Scale Crypto Adoption (Month 4-12)

Target 50% Crypto Adoption:

Offer better terms for crypto clients
Make crypto the default for tech clients
Provide educational content about benefits
Streamline crypto payment experience

Expected Results (50% adoption, $10k avg invoice, 50 annual):

Year 1 Savings: $9,415
Year 2 Savings: $9,415 (if maintaining 50%)
Year 3 Savings: $9,415
3-Year Total: $28,245

Common Objections and Responses

"Our clients don't use crypto"

Reality: You'd be surprised. Many clients have crypto but don't use it because merchants don't accept it.

Response:

Offer the option—let clients decide
Tech companies, especially, prefer crypto
International clients love avoiding wire fees
Even 10-20% adoption saves thousands

"Crypto is too complicated"

Reality: Modern payment processors make it as simple as Stripe.

How it Works:

Connect PassimPay (like connecting Stripe)
Invoices automatically show crypto option
Client clicks "Pay with Crypto"
Payment verified automatically
Invoice marked paid

No blockchain knowledge required.

"What about volatility?"

Solution: Accept stablecoins (USDT, USDC)

Pegged to $1 USD
No volatility risk
Still get fee savings and fast settlement
Still save 65% on processing fees

"Tax implications are complex"

Reality: Yes, crypto adds tax complexity, but the savings often justify it.

Considerations:

Track fair market value at payment receipt
Report as income at that value
If holding crypto, track capital gains/losses
Work with crypto-aware accountant

Cost:

Crypto-aware accountant: +$500-1,500/year
But savings: $5,000-25,000/year
Net benefit: $3,500-23,500/year

"What if client sends wrong amount?"

Protection: Payment processor generates unique wallet address per invoice with exact amount expected. System only marks paid if:

Correct amount received
Sent to correct address
Blockchain confirms transaction

If wrong amount:

System alerts you
Client contacted for remainder or refund
Transaction ID tracked for reconciliation

Building Your Business Case

Calculating Your Specific Savings

Step 1: Determine Your Invoice Profile

Average invoice amount: $______
Number of invoices per month: ______
Annual invoice count: ______ (monthly × 12)
Annual revenue: $______ (avg × count)

Step 2: Calculate Current Stripe Fees

Per invoice: (Amount × 0.029) + $0.30 = $______
Monthly fees: Per invoice × monthly count = $______
Annual fees: Monthly × 12 = $______
Percentage of revenue: (Annual fees / revenue) × 100 = ____%

Step 3: Calculate Crypto Fees (1.02% avg)

Per invoice: (Amount × 0.0102) + $2 = $______
Monthly fees: Per invoice × monthly count = $______
Annual fees: Monthly × 12 = $______

Step 4: Project Savings by Adoption Rate

At 25% Crypto Adoption:

Crypto invoices: Annual count × 0.25 = ______
Stripe invoices: Annual count × 0.75 = ______
Blended fees: (Stripe invoices × Stripe fee) + (Crypto × Crypto fee)
Annual savings: Pure Stripe fees - Blended fees = $______

At 50% Crypto Adoption:

Annual savings: $______ (typically 2x the 25% number)

ROI of Implementation

Initial Investment:

PassimPay setup time: 2-3 hours ($150-225)
Invoicing integration: 1-2 hours ($75-150)
Client communication: 2 hours ($150)
Total setup cost: $375-525

Monthly Benefit:

Fee savings: $300-2,000 (varies by volume)
Faster cash flow: Reduced DSO by 2-3 days
Reduced chargebacks: $15-150/month

Payback Period:

Low volume: 1-2 months
Medium volume: 2-4 weeks
High volume: 1-2 weeks

Presenting to Finance/Leadership

Executive Summary Template:

CRYPTO PAYMENT INITIATIVE - COST SAVINGS PROPOSAL

Current State:
- Annual revenue: $1,200,000
- Payment processor: Stripe only
- Annual processing fees: $34,836 (2.9%)

Proposed Change:
- Add cryptocurrency payment option
- Target 30% adoption in Year 1
- Accept USDT stablecoins (no volatility)

Financial Impact:
- Setup cost: $500 (one-time)
- Annual fee savings: $6,779 (at 30% adoption)
- Year 1 net benefit: $6,279
- Year 2-3 benefit: $6,779/year (no setup cost)
- 3-Year total: $19,837

Implementation:
- Timeline: 2 weeks to launch
- Risk: Low (stablecoins, small starting %)
- Effort: Minimal (modern platforms handle complexity)

Recommendation: APPROVE
ROI: 1,256% in Year 1
Payback: 3.7 weeks

The Future of Business Payments

Crypto Adoption Trends

Current State (2025):

15-20% of tech companies accept crypto
8-12% of service businesses offer crypto option
30-40% of crypto-native businesses prefer crypto payments

Projected Growth:

2026: 25-30% of SMBs accepting crypto
2027: 40-50% of B2B payments including crypto option
2030: Crypto as common as PayPal

First-Mover Advantage: Early adopters enjoy:

Attract crypto-native clients
Differentiation from competitors
Better relationships with tech-forward clients
Lower fees during growth phase

Why Now is the Time

Infrastructure Matured:

Payment processors handle blockchain complexity
Integration is simple (like adding Stripe)
Stablecoins eliminate volatility concerns
Tax accounting tools improved significantly

Client Demand Growing:

More clients hold cryptocurrency
International clients prefer borderless payments
Web3 economy expanding rapidly
Traditional businesses exploring crypto

Cost Savings Compelling:

65% reduction in payment fees
Fast settlement improves cash flow
International savings even greater
Annual savings: $5,000-50,000+ for most businesses

Conclusion: The Math Speaks for Itself

Payment processing fees are one of the largest recurring costs for service businesses. At 2.9%, Stripe eats into your profit margins significantly—especially on larger invoices.

The Numbers:

$600k annual revenue: Save $11,298/year
$1.2M annual revenue: Save $22,596/year
$3M annual revenue: Save $56,490/year
$12M annual revenue: Save $225,960/year

Even with modest crypto adoption (25-30%), you'll save thousands annually while:

Offering modern payment options
Improving cash flow with faster settlement
Attracting crypto-native clients
Reducing chargeback risk
Expanding international reach

The question isn't whether to offer crypto payments—it's how much money you're willing to lose by not offering them.

Ready to Start Saving on Payment Fees?

Start your free trial of Corcava and get instant access to professional invoicing with both Stripe and crypto payment options.

With Corcava, you get:

Native Stripe Integration for traditional credit card payments
PassimPay Crypto Integration for BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC
Automatic Payment Tracking with webhook verification
Professional Invoice Templates with payment options
Client Portal for easy invoice viewing and payment
Payment Analytics showing fee savings by method
Multi-Currency Support for international invoicing
Time-to-Invoice Flow from tracking to billing

All for $9 per user per month. Complete invoicing system with both payment options included.

Start Free Trial → Add Payment Options → Start Saving on Fees

No credit card required. 14-day free trial. Both Stripe and crypto payments included.

Want to save 65% on payment processing fees? Add crypto payments today and start keeping more of your hard-earned revenue.

CALCULATOR RETURNS REMINDER: Interactive calculator needs to be built and embedded in the placeholder section above.