Compare Gas Fees Across 7 Blockchains
Find the cheapest blockchain to send stablecoin payments. Interactive cost comparison for USDC, USDT, DAI, and EURC transfers.
USD Coin
Gas fees shown as percentage of $1,000
USDC Transfer Cost Comparison
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Base
CheapestPolygon
CheapestArbitrum
Very LowOptimism
Very LowBNB Chain
LowAvalanche
LowEthereum
ExpensiveWire Transfer
TraditionalWhat Are Gas Fees?
Gas fees are transaction costs paid to blockchain validators (or sequencers, on Layer 2 networks) for processing and confirming your transaction. Every action on a blockchain. sending tokens, interacting with smart contracts, or deploying code. requires computational work, and gas fees compensate the network for that work.
On Ethereum mainnet, gas fees can range from a few cents during quiet periods to $10+ during congestion spikes. This is because Ethereum's block space is limited, and users effectively bid against each other for inclusion. Layer 2 networks like Base, Arbitrum, and Optimism solve this by batching hundreds of transactions into a single Ethereum transaction, dramatically reducing the per-user cost.
For stablecoin transfers specifically, the gas cost is determined by the ERC-20 transfer() function, which uses a fixed amount of gas (~65,000 gas units). The dollar cost varies based on the chain's base fee, which fluctuates with demand. This is why the same USDC transfer costs $0.01 on Base but $3.50 on Ethereum.
When invoicing clients in stablecoins, the gas fee is typically paid by the sender (your client). Choosing a chain with low gas fees makes it easier and cheaper for your clients to pay, which can improve your payment conversion rate. StableInvoicing supports 7 chains so your clients can always choose the most cost-effective option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are blockchain gas fees?
Gas fees are small transaction costs paid to blockchain validators (or sequencers on Layer 2 networks) for processing and confirming your transaction on the network. They are denominated in the chain's native token (ETH, MATIC, etc.) but are typically displayed in USD equivalent. Gas fees fluctuate based on network congestion.
Which blockchain has the cheapest gas fees for stablecoin transfers?
Base and Polygon consistently offer the lowest gas fees, typically under $0.01 per stablecoin transfer. These Layer 2 and sidechain networks batch transactions to reduce per-user costs while maintaining the security guarantees of Ethereum.
How much does it cost to send USDC on Ethereum vs Layer 2?
Sending USDC on Ethereum mainnet costs approximately $2-5 depending on network congestion. The same transfer on Layer 2 networks like Base, Arbitrum, or Optimism costs under $0.05. a savings of over 99%. This is why StableInvoicing supports multiple chains.
Are gas fees the same for all stablecoins (USDC, USDT, DAI, EURC)?
Yes, gas fees are nearly identical for all ERC-20 stablecoin transfers on the same chain. Whether you send USDC, USDT, DAI, or EURC, the underlying smart contract function (transfer) uses the same amount of gas. The token choice doesn't meaningfully affect transaction cost.
How do blockchain gas fees compare to traditional wire transfer fees?
International wire transfers typically cost $25-50 per transaction and take 1-5 business days. Even Ethereum mainnet ($2-5) is dramatically cheaper, and Layer 2 chains cost under $0.10 with near-instant settlement. For a $1,000 invoice, a wire transfer fee of $37.50 represents 3.75% of the total. compared to 0.001% on Base or Polygon.
Start invoicing on the cheapest chains
Create stablecoin invoices on Base, Polygon, or any of our 7 supported chains. Your clients pay under $0.05 in gas fees.