WhatIsCrypto.info
BTC—ETH—BTC MAX SUPPLY21,000,000BTC MINED20,000,000+BLOCK REWARD3.125 BTCNEXT HALVING~2028BTC BLOCK TIME~10 MINETH BLOCK TIME12 SECETH TRANSFER21,000 GAS1 BTC100,000,000 SATS1 ETH1,000,000,000 GWEISTABLECOIN TARGET$1.00US CRYPTO FRAUD LOSSES 2025$11.4BCRYPTOS LISTED~17,400FIRST BLOCKJAN 3 2009

True cost of buying crypto

Add up the trading fee, the spread and the withdrawal fee to see how much crypto you really get for your money.

Withdrawal or network fee
Only if you move the coins off the exchange.

Fees vary by exchange, payment method and order type. Check your exchange's fee page for real numbers.

The hidden cost: the spread

Many simple "buy" screens show no fee but charge a price above the market. That gap is the spread. Combined with a trading fee, it can cost several percent before the coin has moved at all. See fees explained.

Questions

What is the spread in crypto?

The difference between the price you pay and the market price (or between buying and selling prices). It's a cost even when no fee is listed.

How can I pay less?

Use bank transfers rather than cards, and an exchange's advanced trading screen rather than its instant-buy button.

Every result is worked out in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. Results are estimates for learning and planning, not financial or tax advice. Last reviewed October 26, 2026.