How to choose: fees, speed, finality, stability, and support
When you’re moving small amounts frequently—typical for betting—three things matter most: total network fees, time to reliable confirmation (finality), and whether you can use a stablecoin to avoid price swings. Prefer chains with sub-cent fees, fast/consistent finality, and native or widely supported stablecoins. Ethereum Layer-2s (after the Dencun upgrade) and high-throughput chains like Solana, TON, Stellar, and the XRP Ledger stand out on these points.
If you use Bitcoin, consider the Lightning Network for instant, low-cost BTC payments. It’s designed for near-instant settlement via payment channels anchored to Bitcoin. Acceptance varies by site, so check your cashier page first.
Top picks and when to use each
Solana (SOL) + USDC for sub-cent fees and fast finality
Solana transactions pay a base fee of 5,000 lamports per signature (0.000005 SOL). Even with a small priority fee during busy periods, typical costs remain under a cent, which is ideal for frequent micro-deposits and withdrawals. Circle also highlights USDC on Solana for settlement latencies on the order of hundreds of milliseconds with “fraction of a cent” costs—great when you want stablecoin bets without volatility.
Ethereum Layer-2s (Base, Arbitrum, Optimism) for cheap, EVM-compatible stablecoin flows
Ethereum’s March 13, 2024 Dencun upgrade (EIP-4844) introduced “blob” transactions that primarily reduce L2 data costs—meaning materially lower user fees on rollups. Optimism’s docs and the Ethereum Foundation’s announcements explain how blob space lowers L2 costs, while Base positions itself for sub-cent payments. Choose this if you want EVM familiarity, wide wallet support, and fast, inexpensive USDC/USDT transfers on L2s.
TRON (TRX) + USDT-TRC20 for ultra-low-fee stablecoin transfers
TRON uses a bandwidth/energy resource model instead of classic gas; with staking or resource rental, transfers of TRC-20 tokens like USDT are typically very low-cost, which is why many payment flows use it. TRON’s developer docs detail how bandwidth and energy work; Tether’s support pages list TRC-20 as an officially supported USDT network. Use this when you want fast, inexpensive dollar-pegged deposits and withdrawals.
XRP Ledger (XRP) for low fees and 3–6 second settlement
The XRPL’s minimum transaction cost is 10 drops (0.00001 XRP), and the network targets near real-time settlement—commonly in three to six seconds. That mix of speed and sub-cent costs makes it a strong choice for rapid cashier flows.
Stellar (XLM) for consistently tiny fees and ~5-second finality
Stellar’s minimum base fee is 0.00001 XLM per operation, designed to deter spam while keeping payments broadly accessible; typical confirmation is on the order of a few seconds. Handy when you want low-fee stable-value flows via Stellar assets and anchors.
TON (Toncoin) for fast UX and low fees in mobile-first ecosystems
TON’s docs cite a typical basic transaction around 0.0025 TON, keeping costs low even if price rises, and the network emphasizes fast, consumer-friendly UX. Choose this if your wallet/app stack is already TON-centric.
BNB Chain (BNB) for low fees and quick block times
BNB Smart Chain’s Proof-of-Staked-Authority design targets short block times and low fees; official docs note ~3s blocks historically, with upgrades moving toward 1.5s and even 0.75s. If your wallet/exchange stack lives on BNB Chain and supports your token of choice (e.g., native stablecoins), this can be a cheap, fast option.
Bitcoin via Lightning for instant BTC payments
Lightning enables near-instant, low-cost BTC transfers by routing through payment channels. It’s best if your site accepts Lightning directly and you want to keep bankroll in bitcoin rather than stablecoins.
Polygon PoS and other EVM low-fee networks
Polygon PoS remains an EVM sidechain with low fees and short block times, supported by many wallets and tools—useful if your operator supports Polygon deposits or if you bridge stablecoins there.
Quick comparison by use case
- Small, frequent deposits under a dollar
Consider Solana USDC, Stellar XLM assets, or USDT-TRC20 on TRON for reliable sub-cent network fees and fast confirmations. - Stablecoin comfort with EVM tooling
Use Base/Optimism/Arbitrum with USDC/USDT for a familiar MetaMask flow, cheap fees, and broad dApp/wallet support after EIP-4844. - Fast confirmations with simple UX
XRP (3–6s) and TON (low fees, performant stack) are both strong for quick cashier experiences where supported. - BTC-native bettors
Choose Lightning for instant BTC transfers when the book/casino supports it; otherwise expect higher fees and slower times on base-layer Bitcoin during congestion.
Note: “Best” always depends on what your operator supports in your country. Before moving funds, open the cashier page and confirm the chain and token standard.
Tips for deposits and withdrawals
- Start with a tiny test transaction to confirm you’ve picked the right network (e.g., TRC-20 vs ERC-20 USDT). Tether lists supported networks and contract references; always match exactly.
- Prefer stablecoins for bankroll transfers to avoid price slippage between deposit and withdrawal. USDC on Solana/Base and USDT on TRON are popular for low fees and speed.
- On Ethereum, favor L2s post-Dencun for dramatically cheaper fees versus L1. Check your wallet’s “network” toggle before sending.
- Keep records: TX hashes, timestamps, and on-site statements help with disputes and taxes later.
- Never mix up networks. Sending USDT-TRC20 to an ERC-20 address (or vice versa) can mean permanent loss.
Legality, safety, and responsible play
Gambling and crypto payments are regulated and vary by country/state. Only use operators that are legal where you live and support your chosen network/token. Crypto transfers are generally irreversible; double-check addresses and networks before sending. If you’re using BTC, Lightning can lower costs and speed up settlement but requires compatible wallets and merchant support.
This article is educational, not legal/financial advice.
FAQs
Which network is the absolute cheapest right now?
Solana, Stellar, and TRON typically deliver sub-cent fees for simple transfers; exact costs vary with demand and transaction type. Ethereum L2s are also inexpensive after EIP-4844, especially for stablecoin transfers.
What’s the fastest option?
For stablecoin flows, Solana offers very low latency and costs; XRP commonly settles in 3–6 seconds; many L2s confirm quickly with low fees; Lightning enables near-instant BTC when supported.
Are ETH mainnet deposits still expensive?
Yes relative to L2s. Dencun primarily targets L2 fees with blob space; mainnet fees depend on demand and can still be high. Use Base/Optimism/Arbitrum when possible.
