Customers pay fiat, you settle in USDC
Fiat to Crypto Payment Gateway: Customers Pay by Card, You Get USDC
Most people still pay with a card. PayLex lets you accept those payments and get paid in crypto: your customer pays by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay or bank transfer, and you receive USDC on the Polygon network directly in your own wallet.
Your customers need no crypto and no wallet. You need no merchant account and no business verification to create a link, just a Polygon wallet address. The fee is a flat 7%, with no setup or monthly fee.
What is a fiat to crypto payment gateway?
A fiat to crypto payment gateway takes a payment in regular money, such as US dollars paid by credit card, and settles it to the merchant in cryptocurrency. With PayLex that cryptocurrency is USDC, a stablecoin designed to hold the value of one US dollar. In other words, it works like a card to crypto payment processor: the card payment goes in, the stablecoin comes out.
The term is often confused with two other products. If you just want to buy crypto with your own card, you are looking for an on-ramp. If your customers already hold crypto, a crypto payment gateway may be enough. This page is for merchants who want card payments in and stablecoins out.
Fiat-to-crypto gateway vs crypto payment gateway vs on-ramp
| Question | Fiat-to-crypto gateway (PayLex) | Crypto payment gateway | Crypto on-ramp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer pays with | Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or bank transfer | Crypto from their own wallet | Card or bank transfer |
| Customer needs a crypto wallet | No | Yes | Yes, the crypto goes to them |
| Who ends up with the crypto | The merchant | The merchant | The buyer |
| Who you can sell to | Anyone with a card or bank account | Only people who already hold crypto | Not a sales tool; built for buying crypto |
Why settle in USDC on Polygon?
Stable value
USDC is a US dollar stablecoin, so a $186 payout stays worth about $186. That is why most stablecoin payments use it: you avoid the price swings of Bitcoin or Ether between the sale and the moment you spend or convert it.
Low network fees
Polygon is a widely used blockchain network where transfers typically cost a small fraction of what they cost on Ethereum mainnet. Keep a little POL, Polygon’s native token, in your wallet to pay network fees when you move your USDC.
Paid straight to your own wallet
Payouts go to a self-custodial wallet you control, such as Trust Wallet, instead of a balance you have to request a withdrawal from. USDC on Polygon is supported by many wallets and exchanges, so you can hold it, pay suppliers with it or convert it.
Worked example: a $200 card payment
- Customer pays
- $200 by card
- PayLex fee (7%)
- $14
- You receive
- 186 USDC
The fee is deducted from the payout, so there is nothing to pay up front and no monthly bill. If you want to net a specific amount, divide it by 0.93: to receive 200 USDC, charge about $215.05.
How to get paid in crypto, step by step
Create a wallet that supports Polygon. Trust Wallet or any other self-custodial wallet works. Copy your Polygon address; it starts with 0x. Back up your recovery phrase.
Create a payment link. Enter your wallet address and the amount on the PayLex homepage. It takes about 30 seconds and needs no registration.
Share the link. Send it by email, chat, social media or in an invoice, or redirect customers from your own checkout.
Your customer pays in fiat. They choose card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or bank transfer on the hosted checkout. Payments are routed across several providers depending on their location.
Receive USDC. The amount minus 7% is paid out as USDC on Polygon to your wallet.
Want the full walkthrough? See how PayLex works.
Payment link or API?
Payment links: no code
- Best for freelancers, invoices, social sellers and one-off sales
- Create a link in about 30 seconds with only a wallet address
- A free account saves your wallet address and lets you enable optional tips
API: for websites and apps
- Three GET requests, no signup required
- Payment-status callbacks so your store can mark orders as paid automatically
- Same hosted checkout and USDC payouts as payment links
Start with the API documentation. Were you declined by card processors because of your industry? Read about our high-risk payment gateway alternative.
How to cash out USDC to a bank account
- Choose an exchange or off-ramp service available in your country that supports USDC on Polygon.
- Copy its USDC deposit address and make sure the selected network is Polygon.
- Send USDC from your wallet; the network fee is paid in POL.
- Sell USDC for your local currency and withdraw to your bank account.
Exchanges set their own verification requirements, fees and withdrawal times. Keep records of your payouts for accounting and tax purposes.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fiat to crypto payment gateway that doesn’t require KYC?
For merchants, PayLex needs no registration, no merchant account and no business verification to create a payment link: you only enter a Polygon wallet address. Your customers pay through payment providers, which may run their own checks depending on the payment method and location. Users must comply with the laws of their jurisdiction.
Can I accept credit card payments and receive crypto?
Yes. Your customer pays by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay or bank transfer on a hosted checkout, and you receive USDC on the Polygon network in your own wallet, minus a flat 7% fee.
How do I receive crypto payments?
Set up a self-custodial wallet that supports Polygon, such as Trust Wallet, and copy your 0x address. Create a payment link with that address on PayLex, or create links through the API, and share it with your customer. Payouts arrive as USDC in that wallet.
How do I cash out USDC to a bank account?
Send your USDC on the Polygon network to an exchange or off-ramp service that supports USDC on Polygon, sell it for your local currency and withdraw to your bank. Check the network before sending, and expect the exchange to have its own verification and fees.
Can I convert fiat to crypto?
Yes. Individuals usually buy crypto through an on-ramp or exchange. As a merchant, PayLex does the conversion for you: the customer pays in fiat and your payout arrives as USDC.
Do my customers need crypto or a crypto wallet?
No. Customers pay with the card or wallet they already use, on a normal checkout page. Only you, the merchant, need a Polygon wallet address to receive USDC.
How much does it cost?
A flat 7% fee deducted from each payout. There is no setup fee and no monthly fee. On a $200 payment you receive 186 USDC.
Accept card payments, receive USDC
Paste your Polygon wallet address, set the amount and share your link. No merchant account, no monthly fee.
PayLex is payment-link software with a hosted checkout. It is not a bank and not a merchant account provider. Users must comply with the laws of their jurisdiction, and PayLex may not be used for illegal goods or services.