MoonPay is the world's leading cryptocurrency fiat on-ramp service, powering the "buy crypto" button inside hundreds of wallet applications, NFT marketplaces, DeFi platforms, and exchange interfaces that embed MoonPay's payment infrastructure through its white-label API. When a user clicks "Buy ETH" in MetaMask, "Purchase NFT" with a credit card in OpenSea's checkout flow, or buys crypto through dozens of other applications, they are frequently interacting with MoonPay's backend payment processing and compliance infrastructure without necessarily seeing the MoonPay brand directly. This white-label B2B distribution model has made MoonPay the dominant fiat gateway in the crypto ecosystem by total payment volume processed.
MoonPay is available in over 160 countries and supports credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other local payment methods depending on jurisdiction. Supported cryptocurrencies span major assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and hundreds of altcoins and stablecoins across multiple blockchain networks.
How MoonPay Works: Fiat to Crypto
MoonPay's on-ramp flow is designed for simplicity: users enter the amount of crypto they want to purchase (or the fiat amount they want to spend), provide their destination wallet address, verify their identity through KYC (required by financial regulations for fiat payments), and complete payment via their preferred method. MoonPay processes the fiat payment, purchases the crypto on its backend, and sends the crypto directly to the user's specified wallet address — the user never creates a MoonPay custodial account or holds funds on the platform. This wallet-delivery model preserves the user's self-custody principle: the purchased crypto lands in their own wallet immediately without an intermediate exchange custody step.
KYC requirements scale with transaction amount: small purchases may require only basic email verification, while larger transactions require identity document verification per applicable anti-money laundering regulations. Once KYC is completed, future purchases are instant without re-verification up to the verified limit. MoonPay operates under money transmission licenses and financial services authorizations in the US, EU, UK, and other major jurisdictions, making it one of the most comprehensively regulated fiat gateway services available. Compare MoonPay's regulatory coverage with Transak's similar fiat gateway model when evaluating on-ramp options for your region.
Fees: The Cost of Convenience
MoonPay's primary cost to end users is its processing fee — typically 1% to 4.5% depending on payment method, country, and purchase amount. Credit and debit card purchases carry higher fees (due to card network processing costs and chargeback risk premiums) while bank transfer methods carry lower fees at the cost of slower settlement. The exact fee for a specific purchase is displayed prominently in the checkout flow before confirmation, allowing users to see the all-in cost including payment processing fees. Compared to buying crypto on a dedicated exchange, MoonPay's fees are higher — but they serve a different use case: instant, account-free crypto delivery to a self-custody wallet without exchange account creation or custody transfer friction.
For regular crypto buyers making weekly or monthly purchases, the fee differential between MoonPay and a direct exchange account becomes meaningful over time. Setting up a dedicated exchange account with Coinbase or Kraken and using ACH/SEPA bank transfers offers lower effective costs for regular purchases. MoonPay is most cost-efficient for one-time or infrequent purchases where the convenience of account-free crypto delivery justifies the fee premium over exchange alternatives.
NFT and DeFi Integration
MoonPay has expanded significantly into the NFT and DeFi space by partnering with leading NFT marketplaces and DeFi platforms to provide embedded credit card checkout for NFT purchases and gas fee payments. This embedded checkout capability allows consumers to pay for NFTs and DeFi transactions using familiar credit card payment flows without needing to first purchase crypto on an exchange. During the 2021-2022 NFT boom, MoonPay's embedded NFT checkout was used by major marketplace users who were new to crypto and found the wallet-funding friction of traditional crypto exchange purchases prohibitive.
MoonPay's HyperMint platform provides NFT minting infrastructure for brands and creators who want to launch NFT collections with integrated fiat payment options for consumers who prefer paying with credit cards rather than crypto wallets. This B2B infrastructure positions MoonPay as a key piece of the mainstream-to-Web3 bridge for brands entering the digital asset space. Review NFT buying guides for context on fiat gateway options when purchasing digital collectibles.
Who Should Use MoonPay
MoonPay is ideal for crypto newcomers making their first purchase who want to buy crypto with a card and receive it in a self-custody wallet without creating an exchange account. It also serves existing crypto users who occasionally need a quick top-up in a specific wallet without the friction of an exchange transfer. Regular purchasers should evaluate whether a dedicated exchange account with lower fees makes more financial sense for ongoing purchases. Always double-check your destination wallet address before confirming any MoonPay transaction — crypto sent to wrong addresses cannot be recovered. Apply basic risk management and address verification to all on-ramp transactions.
Getting Started with MoonPay
Using MoonPay directly requires visiting moonpay.com or accessing it through one of the hundreds of embedded partner applications that integrate MoonPay's widget. The process begins by selecting your country, preferred payment method, and the crypto you want to purchase. After entering your destination wallet address, you complete KYC (typically just email verification for small purchases, ID document for larger amounts) and make payment. The crypto is sent to your wallet within minutes for card payments or after bank transfer settlement for bank payment methods. First-time users should verify their KYC once and subsequent purchases are streamlined without re-verification up to daily limits. MoonPay's fee transparency — displaying the all-in cost including network fees before confirmation — makes it easy to compare against alternative purchase methods before committing. For users planning to make regular recurring crypto purchases, the calculation is clear: if you buy crypto more than a few times per year, setting up a dedicated exchange account with lower per-transaction fees like Coinbase or Kraken will save money relative to using MoonPay's convenience-priced gateway for every purchase. MoonPay is best positioned as an occasional convenience tool or an in-app payment mechanism rather than your primary crypto purchase method. Always apply basic security practices and double-check destination addresses before confirming purchases.