BitPay Problems Solved: Fast Alternatives That Work

Key Takeaways: BitPay’s strict compliance triggers cause verification delays (24-48 hours officially, days to weeks in practice), confusing Network Cost fees, and ticket-based support with 24+ hour response times. For users stuck waiting for BitPay ID approval or frustrated by invoice errors, Paybis verifies accounts in under 2 minutes, shows all fees upfront, and provides 24/7 live chat support with responses in under 2 minutes. Paybis was built for users who need crypto today, not after multi-day waits.

This guide explains the five most common BitPay problems, why they happen, and how to fix them. More importantly, readers will see the exact differences between BitPay’s merchant-first approach and consumer-first alternatives that eliminate these friction points entirely.

Why users report issues with BitPay

BitPay built its platform as a payment processor for merchants, not for individual crypto buyers. This design choice means their security triggers are extremely sensitive, optimized to protect business transactions, not to get users Bitcoin quickly. BitPay currently holds a 1.2 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot with consistent complaints around verification delays, unclear fees, and unresponsive support.

The platform serves 180 countries for merchant services but applies strict Know Your Customer checks that slow down buying. When users hit BitPay’s verification loops or invoice errors, they’re not doing anything wrong. They’re experiencing a system built for merchant compliance, not individual buyer speed.

Problem 1: BitPay ID verification delays and failures

The Issue: BitPay’s official documentation states that if verification is pending longer than 24 or 48 hours, users should contact support. In practice, multiple verified users report waits extending days to weeks. A 2024 review noted “the customer support system is horrible. It took weeks to get the account approved.”

BitPay uses Onfido for identity verification, which applies automated checks that flag documents for manual review when issues arise, blurry images, glare, or cut-off corners. Once flagged, users enter a manual review queue with no visibility into their position or expected completion time.

The Fix (Within BitPay): Before uploading documents:

• Take photos in bright, natural light without glare
• Ensure all four corners of the ID are visible
• Use a neutral background for selfies
• Submit during BitPay’s business hours (10 AM – 8 PM ET) to potentially expedite reviews

If verification remains pending beyond 48 hours, users can submit a support ticket via BitBot. BitPay aims to respond within 24 hours during weekdays.

The Alternative: Paybis completes verification in typically 2-5 minutes for 80% of users who submit clear documents. The system uses automated checks with immediate feedback. Most transactions are reviewed within 10 to 20 minutes, though in some cases additional review may take up to 24 hours, still significantly faster than BitPay’s multi-day waits.

“I found the initial setup with Paybis to be easy and fast, contributing to a smooth onboarding experience.” – Denis I. on G2

Paybis accepts over 6,500 document types from 180+ countries, and the 24/7 support team can assist with verification issues through live chat rather than forcing users into a ticket queue.

Problem 2: “Network Cost” and fee transparency issues

The Issue: BitPay displays an “Insufficient funds for network fee” error when wallet balance is lower than the recommended Bitcoin miner fee. This confuses users because it’s not about insufficient Bitcoin, it’s about the separate miner fee required to process transactions.

When the estimated miner fee exceeds $0.01, BitPay charges a Network Cost fee to cover their miner fee costs for UTXO sweeps. Users report feeling blindsided by fees that weren’t transparent during the quote phase.

The Fix (Within BitPay): Users should check current Bitcoin network congestion before sending transactions. If fees are high (above $5-10), consider waiting for mempool congestion to drop.

The Alternative: Paybis shows three fee components upfront before users confirm payment:

• Service Fee: 1.49% after the first purchase (0% on first card transaction per asset)
• Processing Fee: 4.5-8.5% for card transactions over $50 (depending on currency)
• Network Fee: Current blockchain transaction cost, updated automatically

The platform’s calculator displays the exact total before users enter payment details. No surprises on card statements.

“I especially appreciate the transparent fee structure—no hidden costs or surprises.” – Vladimir Z on G2

If Bitcoin network fees spike during congestion, Paybis updates the Network Fee in real time and shows users the new total before they confirm.

Problem 3: Unresponsive customer support and ticket queues

The Issue: BitPay operates support hours of 10 AM – 8 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday, with reduced weekend hours. The team aims to respond within 24 hours. When users experience urgent issues outside these hours, funds stuck, transaction failures, account lockouts, a 24-hour wait feels interminable.

BitPay funnels users through BitBot (automated assistant) or email tickets. While they do offer phone support at 855-398-7660, it’s limited to the same business hours. When funds are locked at 11 PM on Saturday, users wait until Monday.

The Fix (Within BitPay):

• Submit tickets during business hours (10 AM – 8 PM ET weekdays)
• Include transaction IDs, wallet addresses, and screenshots in the initial ticket
• Check BitPay’s status page before submitting tickets about platform downtime

The Alternative: Paybis operates 24/7 live chat support in 30+ languages with response times under 2 minutes. When users open the chat widget, a human agent responds immediately, not in 24 hours. This matters when urgent money issues occur at 11 PM on a Saturday.

“I like how easy it is to buy crypto with my card and send it directly to my wallet. The interface is clear, transactions are fast, and support has been helpful whenever I had questions.” – Elizar S. on G2

Problem 4: Payment Protocol and wallet compatibility errors

The Issue: BitPay historically required Payment Protocol (BIP-70/72) compatibility for invoice payments, creating “Invalid Invoice” or “Unsupported Address” errors if users tried to pay from non-compatible wallets. While BitPay now supports multiple payment methods including WalletConnect and peer-to-peer transactions, many users still encounter compatibility issues with their preferred wallets.

The Fix (Within BitPay): Options include:

• Use one of the Payment Protocol-compatible wallets like BitPay Wallet, Copay, or Mycelium
• Try the WalletConnect or P2P payment options if available for the invoice
• Download the BitPay Wallet app as a dedicated payment wallet

The Alternative: Paybis sends standard Bitcoin transactions to any valid wallet address. There’s no proprietary protocol requirement. Whether users have hardware wallets, mobile wallets, or exchange accounts, transfers work with all standard wallet addresses. Users enter their destination address, confirm the transaction, and the platform processes it using standard blockchain protocols.

For guidance on sending crypto from accounts, users can watch How to Send & Withdraw Bitcoin or Altcoins on Paybis.

Problem 5: BitPay Card and geographic restrictions

The Issue: The BitPay Card is currently only available for US residents, and even within the US, state licensing restrictions limit some services. While BitPay serves merchants in 229 countries, individual buyers face more limitations. Users in countries like Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Nepal, and Vietnam cannot use BitPay merchant services.

The Fix (Within BitPay): Before creating an account:

• Review BitPay’s supported countries list
• If a US resident in New York or Louisiana, check state-specific restrictions
• For non-US users seeking card services, consider alternative platforms

The Alternative: Paybis operates in 180+ countries with support for 20+ payment methods including regional options like PIX (Brazil), SEPA (EU), and FPS (UK). For users in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, or Eastern Europe, regions where BitPay has limited support. Paybis works when other platforms don’t.

“Paybis is incredibly user-friendly… Verification was fast, and their customer support team was helpful and responsive when I reached out.” – Vladimir Z on G2

Paybis accepts over 6,500 document types from more than 180+ countries for verification, making the platform accessible to users who face restrictions on other platforms. For a complete walkthrough, users can watch Beginner’s Guide: Buy Bitcoin on Paybis Instantly.

The alternative: How Paybis solves these friction points

BitPay built their platform for merchant payment processing and applies enterprise-grade security checks that slow down individual buyers. Paybis was built for individual crypto buyers who need speed, clarity, and support.

Here’s the direct comparison:

Quick Verdict: BitPay vs Paybis at a Glance

When users are stuck in BitPay’s verification queue or blocked by compatibility errors, they’re not doing anything wrong. The system was designed for merchant compliance, not individual buyer speed. Paybis was built to eliminate these friction points by focusing on what users actually need: fast verification, transparent fees, standard wallet compatibility, and humans available when problems occur.

For users who need to buy Bitcoin today rather than after multi-day waits, they can create Paybis account and complete verification in under 5 minutes. For a visual walkthrough, users can watch How to Create Paybis Account.

Key Terminology

Network Fee: The cost that Bitcoin miners charge to process and confirm transactions on the blockchain. This fee fluctuates based on network congestion and is not controlled by payment platforms.

Payment Protocol (BIP-70): A Bitcoin standard that some platforms use for invoice payments, designed to reduce address and amount errors but potentially creating compatibility issues with wallets that don’t support this protocol.

Verification (KYC): Know Your Customer identity checks required by cryptocurrency platforms to comply with anti-money laundering regulations, typically involving government ID and selfie submission.

UTXO Sweep: A blockchain operation where a platform consolidates multiple unspent transaction outputs into a single transaction, which incurs miner fees that some platforms pass to users.

Written by

Olha Svyripa

Olha is a tech journalist with over ten years of experience writing about finance, crypto, and emerging technologies. At Paybis, she brings a sharp perspective on the trends and challenges shaping digital finance, combining her journalistic background with hands-on content leadership.