What is a better payment method: crypto vs credit cards? It’s a question that’s been asked for years. Of course, both have their pros and cons, but it can be tough to decide which is the right option for you. Long before cryptocurrency burst onto the scene, many people were already using credit cards as the go-to payment method. But now that crypto is an option; it’s worth taking a closer look at the two to see which is the better option.
In this article, we’ll compare crypto and credit card transactions so that you can make an informed decision about which one to use. We’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of each payment method and when it’s best to use them.
Crypto Vs. Credit Cards: What’s the Difference?
To understand the difference between crypto and credit card payments, it’s important to define each term separately. That way, you can see how they work and what their key features are.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency is a digitized virtual asset that uses cryptography to secure transactions. This technology is decentralized, which means it isn’t subject to government or financial institution control. Examples of cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (THC), and Litecoin (LTC)—with Bitcoin being the most popular.
Credit Cards
A credit card is a physical or virtual card that allows you to borrow money from a financial institution up to a certain limit. You can then use that money to make purchases or withdraw cash. Credit cards typically have high-interest rates, which is why paying them off in full each month is important.
Crypto Vs. Credit Cards: The Pros and Cons
Now that you know the basics of each payment method, it’s time to take a closer look at the pros and cons of using crypto vs. credit cards. That way, you’ll get a clearer view of which one is right for you.
Cryptocurrency Pros
Decentralized
As we mentioned earlier, cryptocurrency is decentralized—it isn’t subject to any financial or government control. Depending on your beliefs, this can be a pro or a con. Some people like the idea of being in control of their finances, while others worry that crypto is too volatile.
Lower Fees
Cryptocurrency transactions usually have lower fees than credit card transactions. That’s because there are no middlemen involved in processing crypto payments. With credit cards, you must pay fees to the credit card company, the bank, and sometimes even the merchant. With crypto, you only have to pay a small transaction fee to the miner who validates the transaction.
Faster Transactions
Cryptocurrency transactions are also generally faster since it doesn’t need to go through a third-party processor. Credit card payments must go through the credit card network, which can take a few days. Instead, Crypto payments are processed on the blockchain, which is much faster.
Cryptocurrency Cons
Volatile
One of the biggest drawbacks of cryptocurrency is its volatility. The price of Bitcoin, for example, has been fluctuating wildly over the past few years—culminating in its recent crash just a few months ago.
Not Widely Accepted
Cryptocurrency isn’t widely accepted yet. So, even if you have Bitcoin, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to use it to pay for everything you want. Credit cards, on the other hand, are accepted almost everywhere.
Not Easy to Set Up
Cryptocurrency can be tricky to set up. If you’re not tech-savvy, it might be difficult for you to figure out how to set up a digital wallet and buy crypto. In addition, crypto exchanges can be complicated, and it might be hard to figure out how to use them.
Credit Card Pros
Widely Accepted
As we mentioned, credit cards are widely accepted. So, if you have a credit card, you’ll never have to worry about not being able to use it to make a purchase. Due to its popularity, there are also a lot of credit card rewards programs that you can take advantage of.
Easy to Set Up
Credit cards are easy to set up. All you need to do is fill out an application and wait for it to be approved. Once approved, you can start using your credit card immediately—no need to set up a digital wallet or figure out how to use a crypto exchange.
Flexible Payment Options
With a credit card, you can pay your balance in full each month or carry a balance and pay interest on it. That flexibility can be helpful if you’re trying to manage your cash flow. At the same time, it’s important to be aware that carrying a balance can get expensive, so you should only do it if you can pay off the balance each month.
Familiar System
It’s also a well-known fact that credit card systems are familiar and easy to use. You need to hand over your card, enter your PIN, and you’re good to go. In contrast, cryptocurrency is still a new technology, and not everyone is familiar with it yet.
Credit Card Cons
High-Interest Rates
The biggest downside of credit cards is that they typically have high-interest rates. That means if you carry a balance on your credit card, you could pay a lot of interest. However, some credit cards offer lower interest rates. So you need to be sure to read the fine print before you apply.
Annual Fees
Another downside of credit cards is that some of them have annual fees. That’s a fee you must pay just for having a credit card. Annual fees can range from $0 to $500, so it’s important to find a credit card that doesn’t have an annual fee or one that has a low annual fee.
Minimum Payments
Finally, credit cards require you to make a minimum payment each month. You’ll be charged a late fee if you don’t make the minimum payment. And if you continue to miss payments, your interest rate could go up. That’s why it’s important to be sure you can afford the minimum payment before you apply for a credit card.
Which is Better for Business?
Now that we’ve looked at the pros and cons of crypto and credit cards, it’s time to answer the question: which is better for your business? Of course, we would give the edge to credit cards. They’re widely accepted, easy to set up, and flexible. And while they do have some drawbacks, like high-interest rates and annual fees, there are ways to avoid those fees.
For consumers, familiarity is the name of the game. At this point, cryptocurrency is still in its infancy, and not everyone is familiar with it. That could change in the future, but credit cards are now the better option.
Why Use ReliaBills for Credit Card Payments?
If you want to integrate credit card payments, you’ll need to find a platform that lets you handle your business’s invoicing and payment processing. Fortunately, ReliaBills offers a comprehensive invoicing and payment processing solution that’s perfect for businesses of all sizes.
With ReliaBills, you can create and send invoices in just a few clicks. And when it comes time to process payments, you can do it all from one place. We also offer various features, like recurring billing and automated payments. So if you’re looking for a credit card processing solution, check out ReliaBills now!
Wrapping Up
When it comes to crypto vs. credit card transactions, the edge goes to credit card payments—for now. Cryptocurrency is slowly gaining traction each year and is looking like a promising payment option for the future. However, it’s still not as widely accepted as credit cards, and it can be difficult to set up. That’s why, for now, credit cards are the better option for businesses and consumers alike.
