Glossary · Payments and crypto

On-ramp and off-ramp

Published 22 May 2025 · Updated 20 Oct 2026 · 11 min read

An on-ramp is a service that converts fiat money into crypto and delivers it to a wallet. An off-ramp converts crypto back into fiat and pays it out, usually to a bank account or card. These services connect government-issued money with blockchain assets through payment systems, identity checks and transfers.

  • An on-ramp buys crypto with money, while an off-ramp turns crypto into a payout.
  • Total cost combines the provider fee, payment method fee, spread and network fee.
  • Providers check identity, sanctions exposure and transaction risk before completing orders.
How a crypto on-ramp worksHow a crypto off-ramp worksWhat an on-ramp or off-ramp costsSix types of crypto rampsIdentity, funds and transfer checksExamples of on-ramp and off-ramp providersBuilding an on-ramp or off-rampOn-ramp and off-ramp FAQ

How a crypto on-ramp works

People use an on-ramp to buy crypto with a card, bank transfer or local payment method. They can hold it in an exchange account or their own wallet. Fiat currency means government-issued money, such as USD, EUR or GBP. The service connects to card networks, bank transfer systems and local payment methods. The simulator below shows steps, times and costs for sample orders.

Number 1

Verify identity

Complete Know Your Customer checks before the first order. The provider verifies your identity and may request more information for higher amounts.

Number 2

Choose payment

Choose the asset, purchase amount and payment method. The available routes can include a card, bank transfer or a local payment method.

Number 3

Pay

Send the payment through the selected method. Ramp Network lists delivery in up to 5 minutes for cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Number 4

Convert funds

The provider converts the payment at the quoted price. Ramp Network says the amount depends on the rate when the payment reaches its account, so a late payment can change it.

Number 5

Receive crypto

The provider sends the purchase to your crypto wallet address. You pay for the blockchain transfer, and delivery completes after the network confirms it.

How a crypto off-ramp works

Buying and selling can have different methods, fees and account requirements, even with one provider. An off-ramp needs a confirmed crypto deposit before conversion. In the simulator, compare amounts from €50 to €5,000 and choose whether your own self-hosted wallet is involved. SEPA Instant, UK Faster Payments and Brazil's Pix run around the clock.

Number 1

Send crypto

Transfer crypto to the provider's deposit address, or sell from an exchange balance. This gives the off-ramp the assets needed for your sale.

Number 2

Confirm and check

The provider credits your deposit after network confirmations and screens the source of funds. It checks the incoming crypto before proceeding with conversion.

Number 3

Convert to fiat

The provider sells the credited crypto at the quoted rate. The resulting fiat amount becomes the basis for your payout through the selected method.

Number 4

Receive payout

The provider sends the money to your bank account or card. Delivery depends on the payout rail, separately from the earlier blockchain confirmation stage.

Figure 1 · Sample fees and timesCompare buying and sellingChoose Buy or Sell, a method, an amount and your wallet type to compare steps, sample costs and delivery times.
Pay with
€500
  1. ID card icon1. Verify identityOnce, before the first purchaseMinutes
  2. Phone icon2. Choose paymentCard, €500.00Seconds
  3. Card icon3. PayCardUp to 5 minutes
  4. Exchange arrows icon4. Convert fundsPrice locked when you confirmAt the quote
  5. Wallet icon5. Receive cryptoSelf-hosted walletVaries by network
You pay€500.00
You receive, in crypto€479.60
Provider fee 1%€5.00
Payment method fee 2.5%€12.50
Spread 0.5%€2.50
Network fee flat€0.40
Total cost (4.1% of the amount)€20.40

Fees and times are samples. Actual fees and times vary by provider, country and method.

What an on-ramp or off-ramp costs

Look at the total rather than one advertised percentage. MoonPay's European pricing disclosure lists card fees up to 4.5%, bank transfer fees up to 1% and a €3.99 minimum fee below a threshold. Each provider sets its own prices, so these figures are not universal.

Provider fee

The service charges for processing the order. A minimum fee can matter more on a small purchase than the advertised percentage suggests.

Payment method fee

Cards allow chargebacks, but blockchain transfers cannot be reversed. Banxa's August 2026 estimate puts all-in crypto card costs at about 3 to 5%, against roughly 1% for bank transfers.

Spread

This is the gap between the quoted asset price and its market price. It affects how much crypto you receive or how much money a sale returns.

Network fee

This covers the blockchain transfer cost, sometimes called blockchain gas fees. It is a separate cost category from the provider's charge for processing the order.

Ramp Network lists buying fees up to 3.9% by card in USD, EUR or GBP and 1.40% by manual bank transfer. Transak lists cards at 3.99% + $1, bank transfers at 2% + $1, plus a 0% to 2.5% spread. Coinbase Onramp lists credit cards at 2.5% and ACH at 0.5%.

Six types of crypto ramps

Ramps differ in who holds the money and crypto during the process, which checks apply and how fast fiat moves. The figure lets you compare custody, identity requirements, timing and uses across six formats, from exchanges to payout APIs.

Figure 2 · Six common routesCompare ramp formatsSelect a ramp type to compare who holds funds, identity checks, typical timing and common uses.
Bank iconBankExchange arrows iconExchangeWallet iconWallet

Exchange

A company holds customer funds while they trade. Customers deposit fiat, buy crypto and can withdraw it to an external wallet, or sell and withdraw money.

  • Who holds the funds

    The exchange holds customer funds.

  • Identity checks

    The provider verifies the customer's identity.

  • Speed

    Payment and withdrawal rails determine timing.

  • Typical use

    Customers buy, sell and withdraw crypto.

Phone iconAppAPI iconRamp APIWallet iconWallet

In-app widget

A wallet, exchange or dApp embeds a provider's purchase flow. The provider handles payments and compliance, then sends the crypto to the user's wallet.

  • Who holds the funds

    Crypto goes to the user's wallet.

  • Identity checks

    The embedded provider runs identity checks.

  • Speed

    Payment and network confirmation affect delivery.

  • Typical use

    Apps add purchases inside their interface.

Two people iconBuyer and sellerShield iconEscrowWallet iconWallet

P2P marketplace

P2P trading carries fraud risk. Paxful, a large P2P marketplace, wound down all operations on 1 November 2025. In July 2026, FATF identifies unhosted-wallet P2P transactions as an emerging risk.

  • Who holds the funds

    The platform holds crypto in escrow.

  • Identity checks

    Platforms apply KYC. Traders also face counterparty risk.

  • Speed

    Delivery follows the buyer's payment confirmation.

  • Typical use

    Users trade crypto with each other.

Cash iconCashCrypto ATM iconATMWallet iconWallet

Crypto ATM

The FBI's IC3 counted more than 13,400 complaints and over $388 million in crypto kiosk losses in 2025. The UK FCA says consumers should not use crypto ATMs.

  • Who holds the funds

    The operator holds crypto for sale.

  • Identity checks

    FinCEN's 2019 guidance treats US operators as money transmitters.

  • Speed

    Timing depends on payment and delivery.

  • Typical use

    Customers buy crypto at a kiosk.

Wallet iconWalletCard iconCardBank iconMerchant

Crypto card

A card linked to crypto or a stablecoin balance converts funds to fiat at payment. The holder skips a separate off-ramp step, and the merchant receives ordinary money.

  • Who holds the funds

    Custody depends on the linked account.

  • Identity checks

    The card program applies identity checks.

  • Speed

    Conversion happens when the holder pays.

  • Typical use

    Cardholders pay merchants through card networks.

Wallet iconBusinessAPI iconPayout APIBank iconBank account

Payout API

Businesses send fiat or stablecoins to bank accounts or wallets through an API for payroll, contractor payments, remittances and cross-border business payments. Visa Direct began a stablecoin wallet payout pilot in November 2025.

  • Who holds the funds

    Custody depends on the provider's payout model.

  • Identity checks

    Providers screen customers and their transactions.

  • Speed

    The chosen payout rail determines timing.

  • Typical use

    Businesses pay workers and other businesses.

Identity, funds and transfer checks

Providers use KYC to verify customers before an order. Anti-money laundering controls include sanctions screening of customers and transactions. KYT means Know Your Transaction, which checks where crypto comes from and where it goes. Exposure to scams, darknet markets or ransomware can trigger manual review. The provider may then ask for evidence about the source of funds.

The EU Travel Rule requirements apply to crypto transfers from 30 December 2024, requiring originator and beneficiary information. For self-hosted wallet transfers above EUR 1,000, providers must verify the customer's ownership or control of the address. Signing a wallet message is one common method. MiCA's transition ended across the EU on 1 July 2026, requiring unauthorized providers to wind down their EU business.

Figure 3 · Simplified checksFollow the compliance checksSelect a scenario to follow identity checks, sanctions screening, wallet risk scoring, Travel Rule data and delivery.
  1. ID card icon01Identity checkPassed
  2. Shield icon02Sanctions screeningPassed
  3. Coin icon03Wallet risk scorePassed
  4. Globe icon04Travel Rule dataPassed
  5. Wallet icon05DeliveryDelivered

DeliveredIdentity, sanctions and wallet risk checks pass. The required Travel Rule information is complete, so the provider delivers the order.

BlockedSanctions screening finds a link to a sanctioned address and blocks the order. The provider stops processing, and no funds are sent.

DeliveredFor an EU transfer above €1,000, the Travel Rule check asks for proof of wallet ownership. Delivery follows after that proof passes.

On holdThe wallet risk score flags the source of the crypto. The provider sends the order to manual review and puts delivery on hold.

This is simplified. Rules differ by country and provider.

RegionMain rulesStatus
European UnionMain rulesA crypto-asset service provider (CASP) needs authorization. ESMA directs clients to its Interim MiCA Register to check firms.StatusTransition ended 1 July 2026. Unauthorized firms had to wind down.
United StatesMain rulesMoney transmitters need FinCEN registration and state money transmitter licenses. The GENIUS Act regulates payment stablecoins.StatusThe GENIUS Act takes effect by 18 January 2027 at the latest.
United KingdomMain rulesCryptoasset businesses must register with the FCA under money laundering regulations before they start operating.StatusApplications for the new regime run from 30 September 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Global FATF standardMain rulesThe Travel Rule covers virtual asset service providers, with a threshold of USD or EUR 1,000.Status83% of surveyed jurisdictions had Travel Rule laws in July 2026.

Examples of on-ramp and off-ramp providers

Many wallets and apps do not run their own ramp. They embed a licensed provider that handles payments, identity checks and payouts. The five examples below show common models for these integrations. They are not a ranking or a recommendation, and terms differ by country.

MoonPay

Widgets and APIs

MoonPay offers an on-ramp and off-ramp through widgets and APIs for apps and wallets. Its EU MiCA authorization comes from the Dutch AFM, with a license dated 30 December 2024. It also lists a New York BitLicense from June 2025.

MoonPay Europe received a Dutch electronic money institution license in September 2026.

Transak

App purchase infrastructure

Transak provides on-ramp and off-ramp infrastructure used by 600+ apps. It lists coverage for 136+ assets across 45+ networks. Its website lists registered entities in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong. In August 2025 it said nearly 30% of its flows came from stablecoins.

Its January 2026 recap lists licenses in 11 US states.

Ramp Network

Business and individual access

Ramp Network serves businesses and individuals in more than 150 countries with on-ramp and off-ramp services. Its Irish entity received MiCA authorization from the Central Bank of Ireland in December 2025. A BitPay partnership added another crypto selling route in May 2025.

Its EU-licensed CASP service went live on 22 January 2026.

Coinbase Onramp and Offramp

Developer conversion products

Coinbase Onramp is available wherever Coinbase operates, except Japan. Its Offramp requires a Coinbase account with linked bank details. The headless Apple Pay on-ramp launched for eligible US users in July 2025. These are developer products for connecting applications to Coinbase's conversion services.

Headless Apple Pay support added web apps in February 2026.

Stripe and Bridge

Stablecoin payment infrastructure

Stripe completed its Bridge acquisition on 4 February 2025. Bridge provides on-ramps and off-ramps through one API, with Luxembourg CSSF CASP authorization. Stripe's own on-ramp is in public preview, supporting USD and EUR source currencies. Stripe also offers embedded components, hosted flows and API integrations.

Bridge received conditional OCC national bank approval in February 2026.

Building an on-ramp or off-ramp

We build crypto payment products, including gateways, wallets and payment API integrations. Our exchange development work covers centralized and decentralized exchanges. A ramp integration needs a defined provider role, customer checks, payment rails, wallet delivery and monitoring. Teams need to decide how these parts will work before the first real order.

Console Wallet case icon

We built Console Wallet, a self-custodial wallet with more than 250K registered users across its browser extension and iOS and Android apps. Users fund its Console Card, a Visa debit card, through a wallet top-up and can add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay.

  1. Provider and license model

    Define which business exchanges the assets and handles compliance. An embedded provider can run payments and checks, rather than the app doing both.

  2. Onboarding and KYC

    We integrate identity checks into the customer flow. The design needs to support additional information requests when purchase amounts or risk require them.

  3. Payments and payouts

    Map the purchase and payout methods separately. Bank transfers, cards and local rails need to match the provider's supported routes for each direction.

  4. Wallet delivery

    Our crypto wallet development connects purchases to wallet delivery. Address checks also need a way to verify ownership of self-hosted wallets for EU transfers above €1,000.

  5. Monitoring and review

    Our KYT screening platform screens addresses and transactions through a real-time API. We build transaction monitoring software for KYC and AML compliance.

Discuss a ramp integration for your product

We can discuss how payment rails, wallet delivery and compliance tools fit your wallet, exchange or payments app.

Discuss your project

On-ramp and off-ramp FAQ

What is the difference between an on-ramp and off-ramp?

An on-ramp buys crypto with fiat, while an off-ramp sells crypto and pays out money. Custody is a separate distinction. A custodial service keeps the purchased crypto for the buyer. A non-custodial service sends it straight to the buyer's own wallet.

Do crypto ramps always require identity checks?

Regulated providers verify identity before the first order. Stripe calls KYC "the regulatory baseline for any service that touches fiat." Checks increase with the amount. Transak documents light KYC for $10 to $200. Its standard tier requires photo ID and a live selfie for amounts up to $25,000. Ramp Network's September 2025 US requirements include proof of address above $5,000.

How long does a crypto off-ramp take?

Network confirmations and checks come first. The payout rail determines the remaining wait. SEPA Instant takes at most 10 seconds. Standard SEPA reaches the payee's provider by the next business day's end. ACH settles the same or next business day, excluding weekends and federal holidays. UK Faster Payments are real-time.

Why do card purchases usually cost more?

A card payment can be charged back, but a blockchain transfer cannot be reversed. Banxa's August 2026 figures put all-in crypto purchase costs around 3 to 5% for cards and roughly 1% for bank transfers. Stripe's own on-ramp makes Stripe the merchant of record, and Stripe assumes full liability for fraud and disputes.

Is a crypto ATM considered an on-ramp?

Yes, a kiosk that sells crypto for cash or card payments provides an on-ramp. Availability is not the same as regulatory approval. The UK FCA says no registered firm is approved to run crypto ATMs and warns consumers against using them.

Does a crypto card act as an off-ramp?

It performs an off-ramp function at checkout by converting the linked crypto balance into fiat for the merchant. This differs from withdrawing money to a bank account. Visa reports more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs in more than 50 countries in March 2026.

Is off-ramping crypto taxable when I cash out?

Tax treatment depends on the jurisdiction and transaction. The US IRS treats digital asset sales for dollars as disposals, while UK HMRC treats token sales for money similarly. Both authorities also treat payment for goods or services with digital assets as a disposal. This is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.

Related terms

All definitions
Sources (44)

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