As cryptocurrency adoption accelerates, more businesses are exploring blockchain-based payments. Not only as a way to support the space, but also for pragmatic reasons, for example to reduce fees, accelerate settlement times, or tap into a global customer base. But while thousands of digital assets exist, only a handful are viable for real-world commerce.
In 2023, the adoption of cryptocurrency as a payment method grew by 55%, and 40% of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) began accepting payments in crypto, according to Coinlaw.
To help businesses navigate this emerging space, we’ve ranked the top five cryptocurrencies for payment processing. The selection is based on practical criteria as transaction speed, cost, network reliability, and ease of integration. We count down from #5 (a strong contender with caveats) to #1 (the most business-friendly option currently available).
5. Ethereum (ETH): High utility, but inconsistent fees
Ethereum is widely regarded as the backbone of decentralized applications and remains the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. Its smart contract functionality and ecosystem support make it attractive for tech-savvy merchants and digital product platforms.
However, Ethereum’s main drawback lies in its transaction costs. “Gas fees” can spike during times of network congestion, even exceeding $50 per transaction. Although recent upgrades (like the shift to proof-of-stake) have improved scalability, confirmation times still range from 15 seconds to several minutes.
Ethereum could be best suited for high-value transactions, where fees represent a smaller percentage of the total amount. For routine retail use, its costs can quickly become prohibitive.
Visual icon of the Ethereum cryptocurrency. Image credits: Freepik.
4. Binance Coin (BNB): Fast and inexpensive, but ecosystem-limited
Binance Coin originated as a utility token for Binance users but has evolved into a broader digital asset, powering transactions on the BNB Smart Chain. With low fees (often just a few cents) and near-instant confirmations, BNB offers solid performance for merchants with moderate transaction volumes.
Starting with low levels of TPS (transactions per second), this year 2025 the BNB managed to complete a record of 2,763 TPS. On top of this speed, many payment processors now include BNB as a supported currency. The main limitation is that BNB remains tightly linked to Binance’s infrastructure, which may deter businesses seeking more decentralized or broadly adopted assets.
Visual icon of the Binance Coin cryptocurrency. Image credits: Freepik.
3. Ripple (XRP): Ideal for cross-border payments
Ripple’s XRP token is engineered for speed and cost-efficiency. Transactions typically settle in 3 to 5 seconds, with fees as low as $0.0002 regardless of the amount being transferred. The network’s capacity of 1,500 transactions per second outpaces most competitors.
XRP’s strengths lie in its suitability for international remittances and enterprise-level payments. However, it’s less commonly used at point-of-sale or for everyday retail transactions. Businesses operating across borders or dealing with large B2B payments may find XRP a compelling addition to their accepted currencies.
Visual icon of the XRP cryptocurrency. Image credits: Freepik.
2. Litecoin (LTC): Reliable, predictable, and widely supported
Created as a faster, lighter alternative to Bitcoin, Litecoin has developed a reputation for stability. It confirms transactions every 2.5 minutes (compared to Bitcoin’s 10) and maintains consistently low fees, typically around five cents, even under network strain.
Litecoin’s longevity and reliability have led to broad acceptance among crypto payment processors. For businesses seeking a dependable digital currency with minimal volatility and integration hurdles, Litecoin represents a strong middle ground. It benefits from both being a major crypto and not being controlled by a central company or businessperson.
Visual icon of the Litecoin cryptocurrency. Image credits: Freepik.
1. Tether (USDT): The stablecoin built for commerce
Tether tops the list for one simple reason: price stability. As a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, Tether offers predictability, something many other cryptocurrencies lack. For merchants, this means a $100 payment stays $100, simplifying accounting, cash flow, and financial planning.
USDT is available on multiple blockchains (Ethereum, Tron, and BNB Smart Chain, among others), allowing businesses to choose networks based on their needs, whether that’s lower fees, faster confirmations, or broader compatibility. Transaction fees typically range from one cent to one dollar, depending on the blockchain used.
For companies hesitant to accept volatile assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum, Tether provides a practical bridge between traditional finance and blockchain technology, and that is why we have put it in the first place. Of course, Tether may not be ideal in all situations—especially if you prefer to avoid US dollar–pegged assets for political or practical reasons.
Visual icon of Tether stablecoin. Image credits: Freepik.
Depends on your business type
The ideal combination depends on your business model, customer base, and transaction profile. Some general recommendations:
- For international e-commerce: Consider Tether and Litecoin as core options.
- For B2B and high-value transfers: XRP and Tether offer excellent performance.
- For retail or point-of-sale systems: Litecoin and Tether ensure speed and consistency.
Most payment platforms now support multi-currency acceptance, along with automatic conversion to fiat currency. This means you can tailor your crypto strategy: either retain assets to benefit from potential price appreciation or convert immediately to mitigate risk.
While crypto payments are not yet mainstream, they’re steadily gaining ground, especially among younger, digital-first consumers. Businesses that move early to adopt and experiment with this technology are likely to benefit from increased flexibility, lower transaction costs, and access to emerging markets.
Sources:
- Investopedia – https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tether-usdt.asp
- Coinlaw – https://coinlaw.io/cryptocurrency-adoption-statistics/
- Coinfomania – https://coinfomania.com/bnb-chain-hits-all-time-high-of-2763-transactions-per-second-on-mainnet/
