- 16 Nov 2025
- Elara Crowthorne
- 24
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.
24 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.
Strike is fine for beginners but if you're serious about Bitcoin you're holding your keys or you're not serious. Custodial wallets are just banks with a blockchain sticker. They can freeze you anytime. The Lightning Network is great but it's not decentralized if the app controls the node. You think you own Bitcoin but you're just renting it. And don't get me started on USDT
Most people don't even know what they're holding. They think Strike is freedom but it's just another middleman. The real power is in self custody. The rest is just convenience dressed up as innovation
And yes I know the app is easy. So is a credit card. That doesn't mean you should use one for your life savings
Man I wish I had this when I was sending money to my mom in Mexico. I used to pay 10% in fees through Western Union. Strike cuts that to almost nothing. And the DCA feature? Game changer. I set it for $20 every Friday and forget about it. No stress no timing no panic selling. It’s like a savings account but for the future
Yeah it doesn’t have altcoins but why would I need them? I want Bitcoin to store value not flip it like a stock. Strike gets that. It’s not trying to be everything. It’s trying to be the best at one thing. And it nails it
So many people miss the point. Strike isn’t about trading. It’s about using Bitcoin like cash. I’ve been using it for 2 years now. I pay my rent in BTC, I get paid in BTC, I send money to my brother in the Philippines and it’s instant. No bank delays. No currency conversion nightmares. It’s not perfect but it’s the closest thing to digital cash we’ve got
And the fees? I paid $0.12 to send $100 to a friend in Colombia. On PayPal that would’ve been $3.50. And they wouldn’t have let me withdraw the BTC. Strike lets you move it out anytime. That’s real freedom
Don’t compare it to Binance. That’s like comparing a hammer to a Swiss Army knife. Different tools for different jobs
Of course Strike is great. Because it’s owned by the same people who built the Lightning Network. And we all know how trustworthy those guys are. Just wait till the government comes knocking and they hand over your keys. Or worse they get bought by a bank. Then suddenly your Bitcoin is ‘frozen for compliance’
And USDT? Really? You’re trusting a company that’s been accused of lying about its reserves with your life savings? And you call this freedom? This isn’t crypto this is crypto-washing
They’ll make it look easy. Then they’ll make it mandatory. Then they’ll take it away. Welcome to the new financial system. Same as the old one. Just with more emojis
I use Strike every week to pay my freelance clients. It’s the only app that doesn’t make me feel like I’m doing something illegal. No KYC overkill, no delays, no ‘we’re reviewing your transaction’. Just send. Just get paid. I’ve tried Cash App and Coinbase. Strike is the only one that feels like it was made by people who actually use Bitcoin
So Strike doesn’t have altcoins. Big deal. Most people don’t need them. I’ve seen so many newbies lose money trying to trade 200 different coins. Strike cuts the noise. It’s like a minimalist app for people who want to actually use Bitcoin instead of watching charts. And the Lightning Network? That’s the future. Instant free transactions. Why would you want anything else?
Yes it’s custodial. But so is your bank. And you’re fine with that. Until you’re not. But for everyday use? It’s fine. Just don’t keep your life savings there. Move it out when you’re ready. Simple
Strike is the only app that lets me send Bitcoin to my sister in the Philippines without paying 8% in fees. I used to send $100 and she got $92. Now she gets $99.50. And it’s instant. No more waiting 3 days for a wire. No more calling her to ask if the money arrived. It just works
I don’t care if it’s custodial. I’m not holding millions. I’m sending rent money. And I’m not going to manage seed phrases for that. Strike is the tool for the job
The real win here is the DCA feature. I set it for $50 every Monday. No thinking. No emotion. No FOMO. Just steady accumulation. That’s how you build wealth in crypto. Not by chasing pumps. By showing up. Strike makes it stupid simple. And the fees are ridiculous. 0.49%? That’s cheaper than my brokerage account
Strike is for peasants who can’t handle real crypto. If you need an app to hold your Bitcoin for you then you shouldn’t be in this space. You’re just a tourist. The real builders run nodes. They use cold wallets. They understand the tech. Strike is a glorified PayPal with a Bitcoin logo. And USDT? Pathetic
Anyone who thinks this is the future hasn’t read the whitepaper. Or maybe they just want to sleep at night
Strike is not a proper cryptocurrency platform. It is merely a custodial gateway. One must understand that Bitcoin is not a currency unless it is held in self custody. The Lightning Network is a layer 2 solution but if the provider controls the node then it is not decentralized. One must be vigilant. This is not freedom. This is dependency
Why do people keep acting like Strike is revolutionary? It’s just a wallet with a better UI. You still can’t trade altcoins. You still can’t stake. You still don’t own your keys. And you’re paying fees to a company that could disappear tomorrow. This isn’t innovation. It’s convenience. And convenience is the enemy of true decentralization
Let me guess. The next thing they’ll do is integrate with the FedNow system. Then they’ll require your Social Security number to send $5. Then they’ll block transactions to ‘high-risk’ countries. Then they’ll start reporting your Bitcoin activity to the IRS. This isn’t freedom. It’s a Trojan horse. And you’re handing them the keys
They say it’s for El Salvador. But what happens when the US government decides Bitcoin is a threat? Will Strike resist? Or will they comply like every other financial institution?
I’ve been using Strike for a year now. I don’t trade. I don’t speculate. I just use it to send money to my daughter in college. She gets paid in Bitcoin from her remote job and I send her groceries via Strike. It’s the only thing that makes sense. I don’t need 200 coins. I need reliability. And Strike delivers
There’s a deeper truth here. Strike isn’t just an app. It’s a philosophy. It says: you don’t need complexity to create value. You don’t need speculation to build wealth. You just need a simple tool that works. In a world of noise, it’s a quiet revolution. It’s not about becoming rich overnight. It’s about becoming free slowly. Day by day. Transaction by transaction
That’s why it matters. Not because it has the lowest fees. But because it reminds us that money doesn’t have to be broken
Strike is literally the best thing ever 🚀🔥 I just sent $20 to my homie in Nigeria and he got it in 0.5 seconds 💸🇵🇭 I’m crying rn. I used to use PayPal and they took 15% and made me wait 5 days 😭 Now I’m DCA’ing $100 every week and I’m basically a Bitcoin millionaire in 2030 💎💎💎
Also I just bought a coffee with Bitcoin in El Salvador and the guy gave me a high five 🤝☕️ This is the future and I’m living it
The institutionalization of Bitcoin through custodial platforms like Strike represents a paradigmatic shift in monetary sovereignty. The Lightning Network’s implementation enables microtransactional liquidity at scale, yet the persistent reliance on centralized custody introduces a latent vector of systemic fragility. One must interrogate the ontological status of Bitcoin when it is mediated through corporate intermediaries
The DCA mechanism, while operationally elegant, functions as a behavioral nudge toward passive accumulation-a form of financial pacification disguised as empowerment. The absence of altcoin support is not a limitation but a strategic reduction, aligning with a hegemonic narrative of Bitcoin maximalism
Thus, Strike is less a tool and more a cultural artifact of late-stage crypto capitalism
I used to hate crypto because it felt like a club you had to be an engineer to join. Strike changed that. I’m not techy. I don’t know what a seed phrase is. But I can send money to my mom in Colombia and know she’ll get it today. That’s power. That’s dignity. Don’t let anyone tell you this isn’t revolutionary
Strike is the perfect example of why crypto will never be free. You think you’re in control? You’re just trading one bank for another. They’ll lock you out. They’ll change the rules. They’ll sell your data. And when the government comes, they’ll hand over your keys without blinking. This isn’t freedom. It’s a cozy prison with better UX
And USDT? Please. Tether is a Ponzi scheme wrapped in a blockchain blanket. You’re not holding Bitcoin. You’re holding a promise from a company that’s never been audited
Enjoy your convenience. The crash is coming. And when it does, you’ll wish you had a hardware wallet
I’m a single mom and Strike lets me get paid in Bitcoin for my freelance design work. I don’t understand all the tech stuff but I know this: I get paid faster. I pay less in fees. I can send money to my sister when she needs it. That’s enough for me. I don’t need to trade. I just need to survive. And Strike helps me do that
I’m a teacher and I showed Strike to my students. We talked about how money works. How fees add up. How sending money across borders used to be impossible for regular people. Now it’s not. That’s the real story here. Not the tech. Not the coins. The human impact
As someone from India who’s watched friends lose money to crypto scams, Strike feels like a breath of fresh air. No hype. No pump-and-dump. Just Bitcoin. Simple. Safe. Slow. I bought my first $20 here. No panic. No FOMO. Just steady. And now I’m sending money to my cousin in Kenya. No bank. No middlemen. Just direct. That’s powerful
Strike is honestly the only crypto app I trust. I tried Coinbase and got scared by all the coins. Cash App was okay but I couldn’t send internationally. Strike just works. I don’t overthink it. I just use it. And I feel good about it
Exactly. I used to think I needed to trade to make money in crypto. Then I realized I just needed to use it. Strike made that possible without the noise.