- 16 Nov 2025
- Elara Crowthorne
- 1
Bitcoin Fee Calculator
Bitcoin Purchase Cost Comparison
Most crypto exchanges feel like trading floors-overwhelming, complex, and full of options you don’t need. If you just want to buy Bitcoin, send it abroad, or get paid in crypto without the noise, Strike Finance might be the only platform you ever need. It’s not a full crypto exchange. It doesn’t offer Ethereum, Solana, or even Dogecoin. But if you care about speed, low fees, and real-world use for Bitcoin, Strike cuts through the clutter.
What Strike Finance Actually Is
Strike isn’t a traditional crypto exchange. It’s a payments app built by Zap Solutions Holdings, Inc.-the same team behind the Lightning Network’s most practical tools. Launched in 2021, it was designed for one thing: making Bitcoin work like cash. You can send money to someone in another country and have it arrive in seconds, not days. You can pay bills in Bitcoin. You can get paid in Bitcoin through payroll. And you can buy Bitcoin with a debit card without paying 5% in fees.
Unlike Coinbase or Binance, Strike doesn’t let you trade hundreds of coins. It only supports Bitcoin (BTC) and USDT (Tether). That’s not a bug-it’s the whole point. Strike is for people who want to use Bitcoin, not speculate on it. If you’re trying to build a diversified crypto portfolio, look elsewhere. But if you want to send rent to your sister in the Philippines, pay a freelancer in Argentina, or start saving in Bitcoin without a PhD in blockchain, Strike works.
Fees: Why Strike Beats the Big Names
Fees are where Strike really shines. Most exchanges charge 1.5% to 3% just to buy Bitcoin. Strike starts at 0.99% for monthly volumes under $250. If you trade more than $1,000 a month, the fee drops to 0.49%. That’s less than half what Coinbase charges for the same volume.
Card purchases (Visa, Mastercard) cost 2% to 4%, which is still lower than most apps. Bank transfers? No fee. On-chain Bitcoin withdrawals? You only pay the Bitcoin network fee-usually under $0.50 if you pick the "Flexible" option. And if you’re using the Lightning Network (which Strike fully supports), transactions are free and instant.
Compare that to PayPal, which charges 1.5% to 2.5% for Bitcoin buys and doesn’t let you withdraw Bitcoin at all. Or Cash App, which charges 1.75% per trade and limits international sending. Strike gives you more control, lower costs, and actual Bitcoin ownership.
How Strike Works: No Jargon, Just Simple Steps
Signing up takes less than five minutes. You need your email, phone number, and a government ID. Once verified, you can:
- Link your bank account via Plaid (same system used by Venmo and Chime)
- Buy Bitcoin with a debit card or bank transfer
- Send Bitcoin to any address worldwide
- Receive Bitcoin from clients or employers
- Use Bitcoin to pay bills in supported countries
There’s no wallet management. You don’t need to worry about private keys or seed phrases. Strike holds your Bitcoin for you-like a bank. That’s fine for most users, but if you’re the type who wants full control over your crypto, you’ll want to move your Bitcoin to a non-custodial wallet eventually. Strike lets you withdraw anytime, so you’re not locked in.
Bitcoin Payroll and DCA: Real-World Use Cases
Strike’s most powerful feature isn’t trading-it’s getting paid in Bitcoin. Freelancers in Nigeria, remote workers in Brazil, and contractors in the U.S. can set up direct deposit to receive part or all of their salary in BTC. Employers pay in USD, Strike converts it to Bitcoin at the current rate, and the employee gets it instantly.
And if you want to buy Bitcoin regularly without thinking about it, Strike’s no-fee Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) lets you schedule daily, weekly, or monthly purchases. You can set it for $5, $20, or $100. It buys automatically, no extra fees, no timing the market. This is exactly how most people should accumulate Bitcoin-slowly, steadily, without stress.
Limitations: Where Strike Falls Short
Strike isn’t perfect. And if you expect a full exchange, you’ll be disappointed.
- No altcoins. If you want Ethereum, Cardano, or Solana, you can’t get them here.
- No staking, futures, or margin trading. This isn’t a platform for active traders.
- Custodial only. You don’t control your private keys. That’s fine for beginners, but risky if you’re holding large amounts long-term.
- Not available everywhere. Strike works in 65+ countries, but features like payroll and bill pay are only available in 12+ countries, mostly in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
- No advanced charts or order types beyond limit orders. If you’re day trading, you’ll need TradingView or Binance.
Strike is like a Swiss Army knife with one perfect blade: Bitcoin payments. If you need more tools, you’ll need other apps.
Security: Is Your Bitcoin Safe?
Strike uses a 1:1 custody model. For every Bitcoin you hold, Strike holds an equal amount in cold storage. They’re not lending it out. They’re not using it for DeFi. It’s locked away, insured, and backed by their reserves.
They use Plaid to securely link your bank account, and your account has tiered limits based on verification level. Basic users can deposit up to $1,000 per week. Fully verified users can deposit $10,000+ per month. Withdrawal limits follow the same structure.
Bitcoin network security is handled by the protocol itself-transactions are confirmed on-chain or via Lightning, with no central point of failure. Strike doesn’t control the blockchain. They just make it easier to use.
Who Is Strike For?
Strike isn’t for everyone. But it’s perfect for:
- Freelancers getting paid from overseas clients
- Remote workers who want part of their salary in Bitcoin
- People in countries with unstable currencies (El Salvador, Argentina, Nigeria, Philippines)
- Parents sending money to kids abroad
- Beginners who want to buy Bitcoin without confusion
- Small businesses paying international contractors
If you’re in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, or most of Western Europe, you’ll find Strike useful. If you’re in Latin America or Southeast Asia, it’s life-changing. In El Salvador, where Bitcoin is legal tender, Strike is used daily for everything from buying coffee to paying rent.
Strike vs. Competitors: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Strike | Cash App | Coinbase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supported Cryptocurrencies | Bitcoin, USDT | Bitcoin only | 240+ coins |
| Bitcoin Buy Fee | 0.99%-0.49% | 1.75% | 1.49%-2.99% |
| Lightning Network | Yes | Yes | No |
| International Sending | Yes (12+ countries) | No | Yes (limited) |
| Payroll in Bitcoin | Yes | No | No |
| No-Fee DCA | Yes | No | No |
| Bitcoin Loans | Yes (U.S. only) | No | No |
| App Rating (Google Play) | 4.7/5 (19,300+ reviews) | 4.5/5 (2M+ reviews) | 4.3/5 (5M+ reviews) |
Strike wins on fees, speed, and Bitcoin-specific features. Cash App is simpler but less flexible. Coinbase is more powerful-but overkill if you only care about Bitcoin.
The Bottom Line
Strike Finance isn’t trying to be the biggest crypto exchange. It’s trying to be the best way to use Bitcoin in everyday life. And for millions of people around the world, it’s succeeding.
If you’re new to crypto and want to buy Bitcoin without getting lost in charts and tokens, Strike is the cleanest option. If you’re a freelancer or remote worker sending money across borders, it’s the fastest. If you want to save in Bitcoin without paying high fees or dealing with complexity, it’s the most reliable.
Just remember: this isn’t a place to trade. It’s a place to use Bitcoin like money. And that’s exactly what it was built for.
Can I withdraw Bitcoin from Strike to my own wallet?
Yes. Strike lets you withdraw Bitcoin to any external wallet address. You can choose between on-chain (slower, lower fee) or Lightning Network (instant, near-zero fee). Just make sure the receiving wallet supports Bitcoin and the network you pick.
Is Strike available in my country?
Strike operates in over 65 countries, including the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, El Salvador, Nigeria, and the Philippines. But features like payroll, bill pay, and international sending are only available in 12+ countries. Check Strike’s official website for the most up-to-date list based on your location.
Does Strike charge for bank transfers?
No. Depositing funds via bank transfer is free. You only pay a small fee (0.99%-0.49%) when you buy Bitcoin. There are no hidden fees for linking your bank account or transferring USD to your Strike balance.
Can I use Strike to pay for goods and services?
Yes, but only in select countries. In El Salvador, you can pay for coffee, groceries, and even rent using Bitcoin through Strike. In the U.S., you can pay bills like utilities and subscriptions if the merchant accepts Bitcoin. It’s not a universal payment network like PayPal, but it’s growing.
Is Strike better than Coinbase for beginners?
For beginners who only want Bitcoin, yes. Strike is simpler, cheaper, and faster. Coinbase has more coins and features, but that’s overwhelming if you just want to buy and hold Bitcoin. Strike removes the noise. You get Bitcoin, you send it, you save it. No charts, no futures, no confusion.
What happens if Strike goes out of business?
If Strike shuts down, you’d need to rely on their legal obligations to return assets. Since they hold your Bitcoin in custody, you’re not protected like FDIC-insured bank deposits. That’s why experts recommend moving large amounts to your own non-custodial wallet over time. For small, everyday use, it’s low risk.
Can I earn interest on my Bitcoin with Strike?
No. Strike doesn’t offer staking, lending, or interest on crypto holdings. This is intentional. They focus on payments, not yield farming. If you want to earn interest, you’ll need a DeFi platform like Aave or Celsius-but that comes with higher risk.
How fast are Lightning Network transactions on Strike?
Lightning Network transactions on Strike are near-instant-usually under 1 second. They’re free or cost a fraction of a cent. This makes Strike ideal for small, frequent payments like tipping, buying lunch, or sending $5 to a friend overseas.
1 Comments
Strike is the only app that actually made me feel like Bitcoin is usable and not just a gambling token. I sent $50 to my cousin in Nigeria and it landed in 3 seconds. No drama, no fees, no waiting. This is what crypto was supposed to be.