Cryptocurrency Vs. Card Payment: Which is Better for E-commerce?

How we buy and sell goods and services has changed tremendously in today's digital world. E-commerce, a platform where transactions take place online, is one of the areas that has seen tremendous growth. The development of e-commerce has made purchasing more convenient and opened up a world of new payment choices.

Card payments and cryptocurrencies are two of the most popular new options. Both provide distinct advantages and have emerged as appealing options for merchants and consumers. But which is better for e-commerce?

The decision between these two modes of payment is not as simple as it appears. Many variables influence this, including security, transaction speed, user-friendliness, transaction costs, and market adoption. Therefore, this post will examine the benefits and drawbacks of card payments and cryptocurrencies to help you decide which is best for e-commerce.

Pros and Cons of Cryptocurrency Payments

Cryptocurrency is digital or virtual money. Cryptocurrency payment refers to transactions made with digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies rather than domestic currencies such as US dollars or euros.

One of the most significant advantages of crypto payments for e-commerce is their anonymity. Payments in cryptocurrency can be made without revealing any personal information. This can help consumers who want to conceal their identity and secure their information.

Accepting cryptocurrency payments also saves money on transaction fees. Cryptocurrency payments are processed via blockchain technology, which eliminates the need for intermediaries. As a result, consumers can make payments for their purchases without incurring high transaction fees.

Global availability is another significant advantage of cryptocurrency payments; they are available to everyone, regardless of location. You do not need a bank account to own cryptocurrency. This is advantageous for consumers who do not have access to traditional banking institutions.

Lastly, cryptocurrency payment benefits e-commerce because of the potential to appreciate. E-commerce businesses accepting cryptocurrency payments can hold these digital assets as an investment, with the potential for gain over time. This can generate additional income for the business to stay ahead of the fierce industry competition.

On the other hand, the biggest disadvantage of cryptocurrency payment in e-commerce is that it's not widely accepted yet. It may be difficult to figure out online merchants that take it. Another disadvantage is the volatility. The value of cryptocurrencies can fluctuate rapidly. As a result, it might be dangerous as a store of value. However, volatility concerns can be readily tackled by adopting stablecoins such as USDT, BUSD, USDC, etc.

Read: How to Protect Shoppers from Volatility Concern

Pros and Cons of Card Payments

In e-commerce, card payments are the most common way of payment. Card payments refer to using debit or credit cards for online purchases.

One of the most significant advantages of card payments is their ease of use. You enter your credit card information on the website and process the payment. This procedure is well-known to most consumers because almost all online retailers allow this payment method.

Card payment protects customers more than it protects merchants. If something goes wrong, such as products not arriving or customers making the wrong purchase, they can demand a refund from their card provider, with the merchant facing the brunt of the transaction. This is referred to as a chargeback.

Security is one of the major drawbacks of card payments, despite the numerous security precautions. If the website is hacked, customers' card information could be stolen. Fees are another concern. Some establishments charge an additional fee for card payments.

If customers buy something from a store in another country, their bank charges a foreign transaction fee, often requiring creating a bank account before getting a debit or credit card. As a result, the card payment method cannot be considered a global payment mode.

Comparing Cryptocurrency vs Card Payments

Security

While generally secure, card payments can expose customers to the risk of fraud or data theft, particularly if the e-commerce platform or payment gateway is compromised. Due to encryption and the absence of personal information in transactions, cryptocurrency, on the other hand, provides a more safe approach. However, the loss of cryptographic keys might result in irrevocable financial loss.

Transaction Speed

Card payments are usually fast, with transactions often processed within seconds. However, international transactions can occasionally take longer, with settlement periods exceeding 24 hours due to several intermediaries. On the contrary, cryptocurrency transactions are processed faster than card payments because of the absence of intermediaries.

Transaction Fees

Banks or card issuers often charge transaction or service fees for card payments. Currency conversion costs may apply to international transactions. Cryptocurrencies can have lower transaction fees, especially for cross-border transactions. However, fees can increase during periods of high network demand.

Accessibility

Card payments necessitate a bank account, which may exclude unbanked or underbanked customers. Due to their decentralized nature, cryptocurrencies are accessible to anybody with an internet connection and do not require a traditional bank account, potentially reaching a bigger market.

Acceptance

Most e-commerce platforms globally accept credit card payments. While cryptocurrency is becoming more popular, it is not yet generally accepted. Because of their volatility and regulatory uncertainty, many businesses are unwilling to accept cryptocurrencies.

Why is Cryptocurrency Better, and Why Should You Integrate it into your E-commerce?

Lower Transaction Costs

Traditional payment methods often come with various fees. Cryptocurrency transactions can avoid these fees, saving money for both businesses and consumers.

Access to a Global Market

Because cryptocurrency is not constrained by any country's exchange rates, interest rates, or transaction fees, it can be easily utilized internationally. This allows businesses to expand into new markets and appeal to a global audience easily.

Security and Fraud Reduction

The danger of fraud is decreased by the difficulty of forging or reversing crypto payments due to their cryptographic nature. Additionally, compared to traditional payment methods, cryptocurrency networks are much less susceptible to hacking since they are decentralized.

Reach a New Customer Base

By taking cryptocurrency payments, you provide your business access to a new market of tech-savvy customers who prefer utilizing digital currencies over conventional ones.

The Best Crypto Payment Gateway for Your E-Commerce

Choosing the right crypto payment gateway is crucial for e-commerce businesses, as the chosen provider should align with the specific needs and capabilities of the e-commerce platform. While several options are on the market, CCPayment has drawn attention due to its versatility and ease of use. CCPayment leverages a unified payment API that can be seamlessly integrated into any website or e-commerce platform to facilitate Bitcoin, Ethereum, and over 45 other cryptocurrencies.

It seamlessly integrates into any e-commerce platform or website via a unique payment API, providing a single checkout page for numerous cryptocurrencies. It encourages smooth, secure, and global cryptocurrency transactions, which improves the customer checkout experience.

CCPayment offers secure and cost-effective services to businesses of all sizes to facilitate the widespread use of cryptocurrencies as a primary digital payment method. It offers military-grade data encryption for strong protection, effectively reducing the risk of data breaches.

The platform charges a nominal service fee of 0.03% on API payments and permits free transfers between CCPayment and Cwallet users. CCPayment gives merchants complete control over their checkout experience, including configuration customization and efficient asset management.

CCPayment accepts payments via wallets like Coinbase, METAMASK, BINANCE, etc. Its simple integration and round-the-clock support make it an excellent alternative for businesses. CCPayment provides businesses with a flexible payment alternative, expanding their exposure to a larger audience and new clientele.

Conclusion

The choice between card payments and cryptocurrency as the better option for e-commerce is subjective and largely depends on the specific needs of the merchants and consumers involved. Card payments are the preferred payment method for some due to their familiarity, widespread acceptance, and consumer safeguards. Others find cryptocurrencies more appealing due to their privacy, possibility for decreased transaction fees, and decentralization.

While all payment systems have advantages, the future of e-commerce may be a hybrid of the two. As technology advances and people's understanding and acceptance of cryptocurrencies grows, card payments and cryptocurrencies may coexist and complement each other in the e-commerce industry.

Ready to receive crypto payments for your e-commerce?

So, why delay? Integrate CCPayment today to improve your customer experience and expand your business horizons. Begin accepting cryptocurrencies now to secure your company's future.