1. Do I need to understand crypto to accept it?
No. You need a wallet address (a string of letters and numbers) and an API integration. The payment gateway handles blockchain monitoring, rate conversion, and confirmation logic automatically.
2. What happens if crypto prices crash right after a payment?
For volatile coins (BTC, ETH), there is a window of exposure between when the customer pays and when you convert to fiat. To eliminate this risk entirely, accept USDT — its value does not change. Alternatively, set up automatic conversion through a CEX immediately after each payment confirms.
3. Can customers get a refund?
Yes, but you initiate it manually. Crypto transactions are irreversible, so you cannot "pull" money back — you send a new outbound transaction to the customer''s wallet. This is a feature, not a bug: you control the refund process rather than a bank forcing a reversal.
4. What if the customer sends the wrong amount?
The payment session is marked as partial. You decide whether to accept it, contact the customer to top up, or issue a refund. CryptoGate notifies you via webhook with the exact amount received.
5. Is it legal to accept crypto?
In most countries, yes. Accepting crypto as payment for goods and services is legal in the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Asia. There may be reporting requirements — consult a local tax advisor for specifics.
6. Do I need to do KYC to accept crypto?
Not with non-custodial processors like CryptoGate. KYC is required by custodial processors and exchanges because they hold funds on your behalf. Since CryptoGate sends funds directly to your wallet, it does not require identity verification to process payments.
7. How long does a payment take to confirm?
USDT on TRON: 3 seconds. Bitcoin: 10–60 minutes for 1–3 confirmations. Ethereum: 15 seconds to 5 minutes depending on network conditions. Most merchants wait for 1 confirmation before fulfilling orders.
8. What is a webhook and do I need to set one up?
A webhook is an HTTP request your server receives when a payment confirms. Yes, you need one to automatically update orders. It is a single endpoint in your application that takes about 20 lines of code to implement. See our webhook guide for code examples.
9. Can I accept crypto on a Shopify or WooCommerce store?
Yes. WooCommerce has a direct plugin. Shopify requires a custom payment app or checkout extension — see our integration guides for step-by-step instructions.
10. What coins should I accept?
Start with USDT (TRC-20) and Bitcoin. That covers the majority of crypto users. Add Ethereum, BNB, and others over time as you see customer demand. Do not try to support 20 coins from day one.
11. What are the fees?
CryptoGate charges 0.8% per transaction, no monthly fee, no setup fee. The customer also pays a small on-chain network fee (a few cents to a few dollars depending on the coin and network). Compare this to 2.9% + $0.30 for cards, plus chargeback fees, plus monthly gateway fees.
12. Do I need a separate checkout page?
No. CryptoGate generates a hosted payment page for each transaction. You redirect the customer to that page after they choose crypto at checkout. When payment confirms, they are redirected back to your order confirmation page.
13. What happens if my customer''s payment arrives after the session expires?
The gateway detects the late payment and notifies you via webhook with an "expired" status and the amount received. You can then manually decide to fulfill the order or refund it. Late payments are not lost — they are flagged for your review.
14. Can I test without spending real crypto?
Yes. CryptoGate has a sandbox mode that simulates the entire payment flow without touching any real blockchain. Use it to test your integration end-to-end before going live.
15. How do I handle taxes on crypto payments received?
In most jurisdictions, crypto received as payment for goods is treated as ordinary business income at the fair market value on the date received. Keep records of each transaction (amount, coin, USD value at time of receipt). USDT simplifies this significantly since its value is always $1. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.