How to Send International Remittances Without High Fees or 3-Day Waits
Key Takeaways
For fast international remittances, Paybis (instant processing with transparent fees), Coinbase (established US option), and local crypto exchanges are all valid choices. Paybis offers instant card processing, transparent fee breakdowns shown before payment, and 24/7 human support in 9 languages. Their transaction process often takes under 1 minute, with all fees disclosed upfront, while Western Union takes 1-7 days and wire transfers require 3-5 business days plus $15-45 in fees.
Everyone has sent money abroad and watched fees eat into the amount their family actually receives. Traditional providers charge transfer fees, then hide additional costs in exchange rates. The recipient waits days for funds to clear while needing help immediately.
We’ve watched traditional wire transfers and Western Union dominate remittances for decades with slow processing and expensive fees. Cryptocurrency solves the speed problem, but the platform you choose determines whether your recipient gets funds today with transparent costs or waits a week while hidden fees reduce the amount received.
Table of contents
Why Traditional Remittances and Some Crypto Apps Fail You
The Bank Wire Problem
International wire transfers through SWIFT take 1-4 working days to complete. Bank of America charges $15-45 per wire and adds markups to currency conversions that never appear as line items. The bank shows you their exchange rate, pockets the difference between market rates and what they charge you, then calls it competitive pricing.
You initiate a transfer Monday morning. The bank processes it Tuesday. The receiving bank holds it Wednesday and Thursday for verification. Your recipient accesses funds Friday if everything goes smoothly. Exchange rates fluctuate during those four days and you have zero recourse if something breaks.
The Western Union Time Cost
Western Union offers multiple delivery speeds from same-day cash pickup to several business days for bank deposits. The convenience costs you. Western Union makes money from currency exchange on top of transfer fees, effectively charging twice. A $500 transfer shows one fee at checkout, but the exchange rate markup adds hidden costs that never appear as a separate line item.
This exchange rate spread is where remittance companies profit most. The World Bank confirms that exchange rate margins represent a significant portion of total remittance costs, often exceeding disclosed transfer fees.
The Middleman Problem
Some crypto platforms like MoonPay work as a Merchant of Record – they’re the legal entity that processes your payment, not the wallet you think you’re buying from. MoonPay takes full liability for your transaction, handles chargebacks, manages tax collection, and appears on your bank statement.
Here’s where this hurts you: when something breaks, you’re bouncing between two companies. The wallet tells you to contact MoonPay. MoonPay tells you to contact the wallet. Your funds sit frozen while nobody owns the problem. We handle the entire transaction directly at Paybis, so when you contact support, you’re talking to the people who can actually fix your issue.
Top Alternatives for Fast International Transfers
1. Paybis: Best for Instant Speed and Transparent Fees
We process card transactions in under 1 minute with near-instant settlement depending on the blockchain. Verification typically completes within 15 minutes using photo ID and selfie. For someone sending money to family in Brazil or the Philippines, your recipient can access funds within the hour instead of waiting 3-5 days.
We support 180+ countries with 50+ fiat currencies and multiple payment methods including PIX for Brazil and SPEI for Mexico. These local payment options matter. Most crypto platforms force international users into expensive card purchases or slow bank transfers. We integrate regional payment systems that people actually use.
Fee Structure:
Fees start from 1.49% and all costs appear before you confirm payment. For credit/debit card purchases over $50:
- 1.49% service fee (after your first purchase of asset, which has 0% service fees)
- 4.5%-8.5% payment processing fee (USD/EUR/GBP/JPY)
- Blockchain network fees (varies by network)
A typical $500 transfer costs approximately $542-$545 total. That breakdown appears in the calculator before you enter payment details. The exact fee is shown upfront while competitors embed spreads in pricing or surprise you at checkout.
Support:
Paybis runs 24/7 customer support with fast response times. Support operates in 30+ languages. When a transaction fails or verification stalls, you talk to a human immediately instead of submitting a ticket and waiting 48 hours.
“I appreciate Paybis for its ability to facilitate instant cryptocurrency purchases using my card, which significantly enhances the efficiency of my transactions.” – Denis I on G2
Watch this step-by-step guide on using the Paybis calculator to see how fee breakdowns work.
Best for: First-time crypto users, urgent transfers, anyone in Latin America/Africa/Asia where other platforms lack local payment support, users who value support over saving 2-3% on fees.
Not for: Active traders seeking lowest possible fees, purchases over $20,000 via card.
2. Coinbase: Established US Option
Coinbase offers trust from a publicly-traded company with regulatory compliance across 100+ countries. For US-based senders, you get familiar banking integrations and straightforward interface. The platform charges approximately 7.5% in total fees for debit card purchases through hidden spreads (0.5-2% markup not shown separately), flat transaction fees, and payment processing surcharges (3.99% for cards).
Speed problems appear with verification and fund availability. Coinbase makes new users wait hours or days for ID verification. Bank transfers lock your funds for 7-10 days before withdrawal. Coinbase embeds spreads in pricing that hide true costs until checkout.
- Not for: Users needing same-day transfers, people in countries with limited Coinbase support.
3. Binance: For Experienced Users
Binance charges 0.1% trading fees, making it the cheapest option if you navigate trading interfaces. The platform offers deep liquidity and operates globally.
The trade-off is complexity. Binance shows you 1,500+ trading pairs, spot trading charts, limit orders, and advanced features that overwhelm beginners. Support wait times exceed 30 minutes with bot-driven responses.
- Not for: First-time crypto buyers, anyone needing responsive support, users uncomfortable with trading terminology.
MoonPay Review: Fees, Speed, and Merchant of Record Explained
MoonPay functions primarily as an on-ramp integrated into other crypto wallets like MetaMask. When you buy crypto through your wallet app, MoonPay often processes the transaction behind the scenes.
Fee Structure:
MoonPay fees range from 1% for bank transfers to 4.5% for credit card purchases, with a minimum fee of up to $3.99 for small transactions. MoonPay includes a spread in the asset price to cover volatility and operational costs. This spread isn’t disclosed separately, making it difficult to know the true markup.
Support Experience:
MoonPay provides 24/7 customer support through email and chat, with phone assistance for US users. The Merchant of Record model complicates disputes. When issues arise with KYC verification or transaction failures, you navigate between MoonPay and the wallet provider.
Pros:
- Wide integration in popular wallets
- 24/7 support available
- Broad cryptocurrency selection
Cons:
- High fees with undisclosed spreads
- Merchant of Record status complicates support
- Mixed reviews on transaction reliability
For verification guidance, check this Paybis KYC walkthrough showing the verification process.
Cost and Speed Comparison
| Platform | Settlement Speed | Total Fee Structure | Verification Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paybis | Instant | 0.49% service | Typically <15 minutes |
| MoonPay | Varies by blockchain | 1-4.5% | Variable |
| Coinbase | 1-7 days | ~7.5% | Hours to days |
| Western Union | Varies by method | Variable | Not required |
| Bank Wire | 1-5 business days | $15-45 | Not required |
Real Example – $500 Transfer to Brazil:
- Paybis: $542 total ($500 + $7.45 service + $32.50 processing + ~$2 network). Delivered in under 1 hour using PIX payment in Brazil. All fees shown before payment.
- Western Union: $505 base + transfer fee + exchange rate markup (varies by payout method). Delivered same-day to several business days.
- Bank Wire: $515-545 ($500 + $15-45 wire fee) + undisclosed exchange markup. Delivered in 3-5 business days.
- MoonPay: $522-545 (4.5% card fee + undisclosed spread). Settlement varies by blockchain.
Learn about crypto security measures that protect international transfers from fraud risks.
How to Send Your First Crypto Remittance
On Paybis:
- Create your account: Visit paybis.com and sign up with your email
- Complete verification: Follow link in your inbox and verify your phone number (<3 min)
- Enter your amount: Select how much to send and choose your payment method
- Review your costs: Check the complete fee breakdown (service + processing + network)
- Confirm and send: Complete payment and receive crypto in your wallet
Your first card purchase has zero Paybis service fees, letting you test our platform before standard rates apply. The calculator shows exact costs before you commit.
For step-by-step instructions, watch how to buy Bitcoin instantly on Paybis.
“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
“Paybis is fast, accurate, exact to quote, offer promotions, offer paybis or external address, clean, simple interface and provide email processing updates.” – G Cham on Trustpilot
Your Recipient Needs Money Today, Not Next Week
Traditional remittance providers profit from delays and opacity. They hide exchange rate spreads you never see and justify high fees by pointing to infrastructure costs. Cryptocurrency eliminates multi-day clearing and makes every fee visible before you pay.
The platform choice matters. We process your first card purchase with zero service fees so you can verify speed and transparency before standard rates apply. Our calculator shows exact costs before payment. Our 24/7 support team responds quickly and your recipient receives funds the same day.
Check your exact transfer cost using the Paybis calculator now. Enter your send amount, select your payment method, and see the complete fee breakdown before creating an account. For business payouts or recurring transfers, explore Paybis Send for bulk payments with automated processing.
Key Terminology
Merchant of Record: The legal entity that processes your payment and takes full liability for the transaction. When platforms act as Merchants of Record, they appear on your bank statement instead of the company whose product you’re buying.
Exchange Rate Spread: The difference between the market exchange rate and the rate a provider charges you. If the USD/BRL market rate is 5.0 but you’re charged 5.3, that 0.3 spread represents hidden profit.
On-Ramp: A service that converts fiat currency into cryptocurrency. On-ramps handle payment processing, compliance checks, and crypto delivery between traditional banking and blockchain networks.
Network Fee: The cost paid to blockchain miners or validators to process your transaction. This fee goes to network infrastructure, not the platform.
Settlement Time: The period between initiating a transaction and recipient fund access. We process crypto in under 1 minute with blockchain confirmation times varying by network, while traditional wires take 1-5 business days.
FAQ
What are the fastest alternatives to Western Union?
We offer instant settlement with <1 minute processing for card purchases. Coinbase provides same-day transfers for verified users with cards.
How do MoonPay's fees compare to Paybis?
MoonPay charges 1-4.5% plus undisclosed spreads. We show all fees upfront starting from 0.49% service fee plus 4.5% processing.
Is crypto cheaper than traditional wire transfers?
For amounts under $1,000, crypto fees (5-7%) often match wire fees ($15-45 + markups), but you avoid 3-5 day exchange rate fluctuation risk. Speed advantage makes crypto cost-competitive for urgent transfers.
Can I send money to countries Western Union doesn't serve well?
We operate in 180+ countries with local payment methods including PIX (Brazil), SPEI (Mexico), and M-Pesa (Kenya). Coverage often exceeds traditional remittance services.
What happens if my transaction fails?
Rejected transactions for security reasons result in immediate fund returns with zero charge. Our 24/7 support responds quickly to resolve issues.
How do I convert crypto to local currency for my recipient?
Recipients can sell crypto through local exchanges supporting their country’s payment methods or withdraw to bank accounts via platforms offering fiat off-ramps.
Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high‑risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more at: https://go.payb.is/FCA-Info
