In today’s digital economy, cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche technology into a mainstream financial tool. People now use crypto for everyday transactions—from paying utility bills to tipping content creators online. As adoption grows, so does the demand for fast, affordable, and efficient transfers. One of the most common concerns among users is: What crypto has the lowest fees?
Paying high transaction costs can quickly erode profits, especially for frequent or small-value transfers. With network congestion and fluctuating gas prices, choosing a low-cost cryptocurrency isn't just convenient—it's financially smart. This article explores the 8 cheapest cryptos to transfer in 2024, focusing on minimal fees, fast settlement times, and real-world usability.
Understanding Crypto Transaction Fees
Before diving into specific coins, it's essential to understand how crypto transaction fees work. These fees are payments made to blockchain validators or miners who process and secure transactions across decentralized networks.
While seemingly small, these costs can vary dramatically depending on the blockchain, network traffic, and transaction type. Here's a breakdown of the main types of crypto fees:
Gas Fees
Primarily associated with Ethereum and Ethereum-compatible blockchains, gas fees compensate miners for computational resources used to execute transactions or smart contracts. These fees spike during periods of high demand—like during NFT mints or DeFi surges.
Trading Fees
Charged by crypto exchanges when you buy, sell, or trade assets. These are usually a percentage of the transaction amount and differ between platforms.
Network Fees
Also known as miner or base fees, these are set by the blockchain itself. They ensure your transaction gets included in the next block. Networks like Solana and Nano are known for ultra-low network fees.
Exchange Withdrawal Fees
Applied when moving funds from an exchange wallet to an external one. These vary widely—some platforms offer free withdrawals for certain coins.
👉 Discover how low-fee crypto transfers can boost your investment efficiency.
What Crypto Has the Lowest Fees in 2024?
With so many options available, identifying truly low-cost cryptocurrencies requires looking beyond surface-level claims. We’ve analyzed real-time data on transaction costs, speed, scalability, and user experience to bring you the top 8 cheapest cryptos to transfer in 2024.
1. Nano (NANO)
Transaction Fee: $0
Speed: Instant (under 1 second)
Nano stands out as one of the most innovative and eco-friendly cryptocurrencies. It operates on a block-lattice architecture where each user account has its own blockchain, allowing for zero-fee, instant transactions. There’s no mining or staking—instead, users contribute minimal computational power to validate transactions.
This makes Nano ideal for microtransactions, peer-to-peer payments, and everyday spending without worrying about fees eating into value.
2. Stellar (XLM)
Transaction Fee: $0.0000035
Speed: 3–5 seconds
Stellar is designed for fast, cross-border payments and financial inclusion. Its native token, XLM, powers transactions on the Stellar network, which uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP)—a highly efficient alternative to traditional proof-of-work systems.
With average fees under half a cent and support for stablecoins and fiat gateways, Stellar is widely used by institutions and remittance services seeking low-cost global settlements.
3. ReddCoin (RDD)
Transaction Fee: $0.000073
Speed: Near-instant
Originally built for social media tipping, ReddCoin enables users to reward content creators on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Twitter. Its PoS-based system keeps transaction costs extremely low—just $0.000073 per transfer.
While not as widely adopted as larger cryptos, ReddCoin fills a unique niche in the creator economy with frictionless microtransactions.
4. Monero (XMR)
Transaction Fee: $0.00014
Speed: ~2 minutes
Privacy is Monero’s core feature—but it doesn’t come at a premium price. Despite advanced cryptography like ring signatures and stealth addresses, Monero maintains low transaction fees, averaging just $0.00014.
Its focus on anonymity makes it popular among privacy-conscious users, while still offering cost-effective transfers compared to major blockchains during peak times.
5. Ripple (XRP)
Transaction Fee: $0.0011
Speed: 3–5 seconds
XRP is engineered for speed and scalability. Developed by Ripple Labs, it facilitates rapid cross-border payments for banks and financial institutions. Each transaction costs only $0.0011, making it one of the most economical options for large-scale transfers.
Transactions settle in seconds, and the network can handle up to 1,500 TPS—far exceeding Bitcoin and Ethereum in efficiency.
6. Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
Transaction Fee: $0.0024
Speed: 2–3 seconds
Born from a Bitcoin fork, Bitcoin Cash increased block sizes to improve scalability and reduce fees. Today, it offers fast confirmations and ultra-low costs, with average transfer fees around $0.0024.
Though less dominant than Bitcoin, BCH remains a solid choice for low-cost peer-to-peer payments and supports emerging token standards like CashTokens.
7. Dash (DASH)
Transaction Fee: $0.0043
Speed: 2–3 seconds
Dash combines fast transaction speeds with optional privacy features through PrivateSend. Using a two-tier network powered by masternodes, Dash achieves near-instant confirmations with minimal fees.
At just over $0.004 per transaction, it competes well with other fast payment-focused cryptos while maintaining decentralization.
8. Litecoin (LTC)
Transaction Fee: $0.03 – $0.04
Speed: ~2.5 minutes
One of the earliest altcoins, Litecoin was created to be the "silver to Bitcoin’s gold." With a proven track record and a robust network, it offers reliable transfers at consistently low fees.
While newer blockchains may be faster, Litecoin remains trusted and widely supported—ideal for users prioritizing stability alongside affordability.
How to Minimize Your Crypto Transfer Costs
Even with low-fee networks, timing and method matter:
- Avoid peak congestion hours on busy chains like Ethereum.
- Use Layer-2 solutions (e.g., Arbitrum, Optimism) for cheaper ETH transfers.
- Choose native tokens for their respective networks (e.g., XLM on Stellar).
- Consider wallet-to-wallet vs exchange withdrawals, as exchanges often charge higher withdrawal fees.
👉 See how switching to low-fee cryptos can maximize your returns over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why do some cryptocurrencies have near-zero transaction fees?
A: Some blockchains use consensus mechanisms like Proof-of-Stake or Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG), which require less computational power than traditional mining. This allows them to offer minimal or zero fees while maintaining security.
Q: Are low-fee cryptos safe to use?
A: Yes—many low-fee cryptocurrencies like XRP, LTC, and XLM are built on secure, battle-tested networks with strong developer communities and widespread adoption.
Q: Can network fees change over time?
A: Absolutely. While base fees may remain stable, temporary spikes can occur during high demand or major events (e.g., token launches). However, networks like Nano and Stellar maintain consistent pricing due to efficient architectures.
Q: Is free crypto transfer possible?
A: Yes—Nano offers completely free transactions thanks to its unique block-lattice design. Other networks may offer fee-less internal transfers within custodial wallets (e.g., between users on the same exchange).
Q: Do I need to pay fees in the same cryptocurrency I’m sending?
A: Typically yes—most blockchains require fees to be paid in their native token (e.g., XLM on Stellar, ETH on Ethereum). Always ensure you have a small amount of the native coin to cover transaction costs.
Q: Which crypto is best for international money transfers?
A: XRP and Stellar lead in this space due to fast settlement times, regulatory compliance readiness, and partnerships with financial institutions worldwide.
Final Thoughts
As crypto becomes more integrated into daily life, minimizing transfer costs is crucial for both casual users and investors. From zero-fee Nano to ultra-fast XRP, the options in 2024 are more accessible than ever.
By choosing the right cryptocurrency for your needs—whether it’s speed, privacy, or cost—you can make smarter financial decisions without sacrificing performance.
👉 Start exploring low-fee crypto transfers today and see the difference yourself.