As Visa and Mastercard raise fees, merchants may look to crypto

Credit card providers charge merchants a cut of the payments they accept, called interchange fees or swipe fees. With two major card providers aiming to elevate rates, could crypto become an alternative? 

“Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc. are planning to raise swipe fees for some types of credit-card purchases in April,” the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, adding:

“Though invisible to consumers, they [interchange fees] are glaring to merchants, which often end up paying fees of about 2% of their customers’ credit-card purchases. The fees are set by the card networks, such as Visa and Mastercard. Merchants pay them to the banks that issue the cards.”

As credit card fees rise, other options will become more attractive to merchants. That includes crypto. Digital assets also incur transaction fees, but some may be cheaper alternatives than the current credit card scene, especially if card fees continue rising.

Bitcoin (BTC), in particular, has faced a great deal of criticism over transaction fees that seem to prohibit it from ever becoming a reasonable means to pay for everyday purchases. Many, however, completely disregard the costs that merchants incur by accepting payment via debit or credit cards. Solutions such as Bitcoin’s Lightning Network also exist, improving transaction fees and speeds for Bitcoin.

Economies worldwide abruptly changed paths in March 2020 as COVID-19 concerns and prevention measures took prevalence. Many businesses have reopened in various capacities. Credit cards, however, have gained further dominance over cash use, especially in light of those seeking web-based purchases amid the current situation with COVID-19, as detailed by the Wall Street Journal.

Crypto assets are also paperless, capable of being used online and in person, and they can also come with other added benefits, such as decentralization.