How to Create Crypto Payment Gateway: Step By Step Guide

Do you need a reliable crypto payment gateway - a system that automatically processes transactions, verifies them on the blockchain, and instantly converts digital assets into fiat or other cryptocurrencies.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a crypto payment gateway from scratch, from choosing the right blockchain network to ensuring compliance, security, and scalability. You’ll learn what technologies to use, what features are essential, and how to make your platform trusted by users worldwide.

At Merehead, we’ve built multiple payment systems for startups and enterprises, so everything below comes from real experience — not theory.

Let’s dive in and build your gateway the right way.

What is a cryptocurrency payment gateway?

A cryptocurrency payment gateway is a blockchain-based payment infrastructure that enables merchants to accept digital assets as payment, verify transactions on-chain, and automatically convert them into fiat or stablecoins. Unlike traditional processors that depend on centralized intermediaries, crypto gateways operate through smart contracts and cryptographic validation, ensuring transparency and immutability of each transaction.

Modern gateways act as middleware between customers, merchants, and blockchain networks, providing APIs, SDKs, and plugins for seamless integration with e-commerce, SaaS, and financial platforms. They generate unique deposit addresses for every transaction, confirm payments in real time, and minimize fraud risks through on-chain verification.

From a technical perspective, a crypto payment gateway consists of:

• Node integration with supported blockchains (BTC, ETH, TRON, BSC, etc.)
• Wallet management system for address generation and key storage
• Conversion and settlement module for automatic fiat off-ramp
• Security layer — encryption, KYC/AML checks, and fraud detection
• API layer — REST, WebSocket, or SDK connections for businesses

Stablecoin support (USDT, USDC, DAI) has become essential, reducing volatility and enabling near-instant cross-border settlements. According to merchant-adoption data, stablecoins now account for over 45% of crypto-payment gateway transactions.

For businesses, implementing a crypto gateway is not just about payment acceptance — it’s about access to the global digital economy, lower transaction fees, and the ability to process borderless payments with full transparency. The global crypto payment gateway market is estimated at USD ~1.68 billion in 2025, with projections reaching around USD 6.0 billion by 2035.

How to create crypto payment gateway

The peculiarity of the crypto payment gateway is its complex architecture. On the one hand, it is necessary to develop a multifunctional platform for accepting cryptocurrency payments on different blockchains. On the other hand, it is necessary to ensure quick and easy integration with merchants since the main users of the product will be sites not related to cryptocurrencies.

Given this complexity, a well-structured development process is essential. It is important to work with skilled developers who have a proven track record in blockchain projects to ensure the success of your crypto payment gateway. Understanding the steps involved in developing a crypto payment gateway and choosing the right partner with experience in delivering reliable crypto payment solutions will help streamline the project and ensure robust, secure results.

We have been developing blockchain projects for a long time and understand the difficulties and nuances that arise during their implementation. We will consider the key stages of creating your own crypto payment gateway. Below, you can see the user account of one of the leading crypto payment gateways.

1. Project architecture

Project architecture is a fundamental stage of development. At this stage, the project structure is defined, and user flow for conducting transactions and merchant capabilities are developed.

It is extremely important to describe in detail or visualize (we prefer graphic design) all key stages of user interaction with the crypto gateway. When designing these flows, special attention should be given to creating user friendly interfaces tailored to the target audience, ensuring usability and encouraging adoption. This ensures a clear understanding of the entire system and allows minimizing errors and logical collisions in the future.

The average time for preparing the architecture is 2-4 weeks.

2. UI/UX Design

Standard procedure for visual design of each page. We use Figma to create mockups and verify them.

At this stage, it is important to take into account all the details to avoid complications with the integration of features that may have been missed. This is why having a detailed architecture described in the previous stage is critical. It allows you to accurately follow the design without gaps and inconsistencies.

The average design development time is 2-4 weeks.

3. Back-end and Front-end

This is the most difficult and important stage of crypto gateway development. It requires maximum team effort and takes the most time. The coding process is supervised by a project manager who manages the continuous setting of tasks for each developer. This approach minimizes time delays and allows you to deliver the project on time.

The technology stack that is usually used in the development of crypto payment gateways deserves special attention:

• Backend: PHP, Node.js (including integration of a reliable payment processor as part of the back-end logic)
• Frontend: React.js

The average development time is 12-24 weeks. It is also essential to plan for ongoing maintenance to ensure the long-term reliability and performance of the crypto payment gateway.

4. Installing a blockchain node

The crypto gateway operates on the basis of blockchain nodes, the installation of which takes a significant amount of time, especially when integrating multiple cryptocurrencies for payments.

The development team needs to prepare the server, deploy the node and implement the functions of deposit, withdrawal and transfer of funds. A big advantage is the ability to use one blockchain for all cryptocurrencies operating in its network. For example, installing an Ethereum node allows you to easily integrate not only Ethereum itself, but also all ERC-20 tokens.

The implementation time depends on the number of blockchain nodes and their complexity. On average, this process takes from 2 to 24 weeks.

5. API Integration for Crypto Gateways

API integration is a cornerstone of modern crypto payment gateways, enabling businesses to effortlessly incorporate cryptocurrency payments into their existing platforms. A robust API allows merchants to connect their e-commerce websites, mobile applications, or point-of-sale systems directly to the payment gateway, streamlining the entire payment processing workflow.

With effective API integration, merchants can automate the acceptance and management of cryptocurrency payments, reducing manual intervention and minimizing the risk of errors. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures a smooth and consistent user experience for customers making crypto payments. Additionally, APIs facilitate real-time transaction updates, instant payment confirmations, and seamless reconciliation with other business systems.

By providing secure and well-documented API integration options, crypto payment gateways empower businesses to quickly adapt to the growing demand for cryptocurrency payments. This flexibility is essential for staying competitive in the evolving digital payment sector and for meeting the expectations of tech-savvy customers who prefer innovative payment options.

6. Security Measures for Crypto Payment Gateways

Security is paramount for crypto payment gateways, as they are responsible for safeguarding sensitive financial data and valuable digital assets. To ensure the highest level of protection, leading payment gateways implement a comprehensive suite of robust security measures.

Encryption is used to secure all data transmissions, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized parties to intercept or tamper with sensitive information. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through a secondary method, such as a mobile device or email code, before accessing their accounts or authorizing transactions.

In addition to these technical safeguards, crypto payment gateways must adhere to strict anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols. These measures help prevent illicit activities and ensure compliance with global regulatory standards. Regular security audits, real-time monitoring, and advanced fraud detection systems further enhance the safety of cryptocurrency payments.

By prioritizing robust security measures, crypto payment gateways build trust with both merchants and customers, ensuring that all transactions are processed securely and that digital assets remain protected at every stage of the payment process.

7. Testing transactions in TestNet

After developing key functions for interaction with the blockchain node, testing is carried out in the test network. In this mode, QA specialists can perform an unlimited number of transactions with test funds.

At this stage, integration testing is essential to ensure that all components—such as APIs, blockchain nodes, and databases—work seamlessly together before deployment.

Particular attention is paid to checking the deposit and withdrawal functions, since any failures in their operation can lead to the loss of user funds and cause serious damage to your business.

Testing time: 1 week.

8. Testing the platform

The next stage involves comprehensive testing of the entire platform. As a rule, a significant number of errors are detected at this stage. It is important to ensure positive dynamics so that the number of bugs decreases with each iteration.

The timing of full testing depends on the quality of the code and the complexity of the crypto gateway. In addition, all critical errors are fixed at this stage. As a result, the process can take from 4 to 8 weeks.

9. Transferring the blockchain to the MainNet

When the platform has been successfully tested and, according to QA reports, it works stably, the transition to the main network is carried out. However, the mode change does not always go smoothly, so it is extremely important to additionally test all transactions with real funds.

The average completion time for this stage is 2-4 weeks.

10. Launch and support

After successful testing, the platform is launched in live mode. In the process of working with real users, small errors may occur, which are promptly eliminated by the technical support team.

The completion time for this stage is 1-4 weeks.

11. Updating the project

When the project is successfully running in live mode, there is often a desire to scale the business and add new functions. All wishes are discussed with a business analyst, who helps to form a new development plan.

However, before this, it is important to clearly define the need for each function, estimate its cost and implementation time. After agreeing on all the details, a new development cycle begins.

Cryptocurrency payment system market

When entering the cryptocurrency payment market, it is important to choose the right gateway provider and carefully evaluate service fees, as these factors can significantly impact your business operations and profitability.

The market in the United States and Europe offers a variety of crypto payment solutions, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

• BitPay – is one of the first and largest providers. It supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and stablecoins.
• Coinbase Commerce – integrates with the popular Coinbase exchange, business-friendly, but requires verification and only works with certain cryptocurrencies.
• CoinPayments – supports more than 2,000 cryptocurrencies, but there are complaints about payment delays and service fees.
• NOWPayments –  does not require KYC, supports auto-conversion to fiat, but is less well-known among large companies.

Blockchain-based payment gateways are also being adopted in areas like supply chain management, where they enhance transparency and efficiency.

Technology Stack for a Crypto Payment Gateway

Building a crypto payment gateway isn’t just about connecting to blockchains — it’s about creating a secure and scalable system that can handle thousands of transactions every day without a single failure. The technology stack behind such systems usually combines both on-chain and off-chain components.

On the backend, developers often use Node.js or Python for API logic and blockchain communication, while Go is preferred for performance-heavy tasks like transaction validation and wallet management. Data is stored in PostgreSQL, with Redis or MongoDB used for caching and real-time data handling.

The frontend is typically built with React or Vue.js, providing fast dashboards and merchant panels that display live transaction updates. For blockchain integration, most gateways rely on Web3.js, ethers.js, or direct gRPC connections to networks like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Tron.

Security sits at the heart of the stack. Gateways use HSMs (Hardware Security Modules) to protect private keys, JWT and OAuth2 for authentication, and TLS 1.3 for encrypted communications. Smart contracts are developed in Solidity or Rust, depending on the blockchain, to automate payments and settlements.

In short, the right stack ensures your gateway is fast, secure, and adaptable — ready to integrate with banks, exchanges, and Web3 applications as the crypto economy keeps evolving.

How do cryptocurrency payment gateways make money?

Cryptocurrency payment systems operate on a business model similar to traditional acquiring services, but adapted to the specifics of digital assets. The main sources of revenue for such gateways include transaction processing fees, service fees charged to merchants, revenues from cryptocurrency conversion, subscription fees for access to the service, as well as additional services such as AML/KYC verifications, white-label solutions and integration with banking systems.

When planning to launch a payment gateway, it is important to consider development costs, which can vary depending on factors like testing, security measures, and the geographical location of developers. Major revenue sources include:

1. Transaction fees

The main source of revenue for cryptocurrency gateways is the commission on each transaction made.

• Fixed commission– from 0.5% to 1.5% for payment processing.
• Flexible fees– may vary depending on the volume of customer payments or the selected tariff.
• Additional fees– may be charged for expedited transaction confirmation or transfers through certain blockchains.

Example: BitPay takes 1% commission for each transaction, which is much lower than traditional processing systems (Visa, Mastercard - 2-5%).

2. Income on conversion of cryptocurrencies

A large number of cryptocurrency payment gateways offer the ability to automatically convert cryptocurrencies to fiat (e.g. dollars or euros) or exchange one cryptocurrency for another.

• Spread on course– the difference between the purchase and sale price of an asset (usually 0.5-2%).
• Dynamic pricing– the value of an exchange can depend on market liquidity and demand.

Example: CoinPayments earns 0.5% on cryptocurrency conversions, and some services set higher margins on automatic exchanges.

3. Subscription fee for the service usage

Some payment gateways offer subscriptions or premium rates that include:

• Reduced transaction fees.
• Additional API tools.
• Priority technical support.

Example: White-label solutions for companies can cost anywhere from $500 to $5000 per month for a license.

4. Additional services (AML/KYC, fiat gateways, customization)

Cryptocurrency payment gateways can earn money by selling additional services:

• AML/KYC modules for regulatory compliance, meeting compliance requirements and ensuring legal compliance (cost from $1-3 per user check).
• Connection of bank accounts for withdrawals.
• Individual platform customization for large clients.

Case in point: NOWPayments offers custom solutions and integrations that start at $10,000.

5. White-label business solutions

Certain companies create white-label crypto-payment gateways that can be resold under their own brand. It is beneficial for those who want to enter the market quickly, but don't have the technical resources to develop from scratch.

• License to use– one-time fee of $20,000-50,000.
• Monthly support and updates– $2,000-10,000 depending on complexity.

Example: OpenNode provides white-label solutions for merchants and charges a percentage of turnover.

With these mechanisms, payment gateways provide stable cash flow but face challenges in the form of regulatory requirements, market volatility and high security requirements.

Who can develop a crypto payment gateway?

Creating a cryptocurrency payment gateway is a complex technological process that requires high expertise in blockchains, security and fintech infrastructure. It is crucial to hire skilled developers with a proven track record in blockchain and fintech to ensure a secure and reliable solution. Before starting development, conducting thorough market research helps identify market demand, customer behavior, competitors, and industry trends, which informs product features and positioning.

The choice of approach depends on the budget, crypto business goals and the necessity to customize the system flexibly. In-house development is suitable for large companies, outsourcing - for a quick launch with minimal costs.

In-house development

This is full control over the system, but it also comes at a significant cost. Building a gateway will require a team of blockchain developers, backend engineers, security and DevOps specialists. The process includes designing the architecture, developing wallets, integrating with blockchains, creating APIs, payment processing mechanisms, connecting fiat gateways and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Advantages:

• Flexibility in customization of functionality
• Independence from third-party solutions
• Long-term savings on commissions and licenses

Disadvantages:

• High cost (from $200,000)
• Long development time (from 12 months)
• Difficulty in obtaining licenses and regulatory compliance

Outsourcing development

It is a faster and cheaper option. Specialized companies use ready-made modules and developments, which reduces time and costs. Development takes 4-6 months and the cost varies from $40,000 to $150,000 depending on the functionality.

Advantages:

• Rapid deployment
• Lower costs
• Access to expert solutions

Disadvantages:

• Limited customization
• Dependence on external developers

Crypto payment gateway development cost

The cost of creating a cryptocurrency payment gateway depends on the functionality, security level, support for various cryptocurrencies and integration with fiat payment systems. When budgeting for a crypto payment gateway, it is important to consider not only the initial development costs—including factors like testing, security measures, and the geographical location of developers—but also the need for ongoing maintenance to ensure continuous updates, security improvements, and reliable long-term performance.

Conventionally, projects can be divided into three categories: basic solution, medium level and full-fledged payment platform.

1. Simple solution ($20,000–40,000)

This minimal version of a gateway that includes basic functionality for accepting and processing cryptocurrency payments. Development takes from 2 to 4 months and is most often realized on the basis of ready-made solutions (white-label platforms).

Functional:

• Support for multiple cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT)
• Generation of addresses for accepting payments
• Simple control panel for merchants
• API for integration with websites and stores
• Basic security level (encryption, 2FA)

Restrictions:

• No fiat payments
• Minimal customization options
• Lack of advanced monitoring and AML tools

This option is suitable for small online stores that want to implement the acceptance of cryptocurrencies quickly.

2. Mid-level solution ($40,000-80,000)

It is designed for companies that want to offer a more convenient and secure service to customers. Development takes 4-6 months and requires a more complex architecture.

Functional:

• Support for 5-10 cryptocurrencies
• Fiat gateways (SWIFT, SEPA, Visa/Mastercard)
• Built-in automatic conversion mechanisms
• API with advanced integration capabilities
• AML/KYC modules for regulatory compliance
• Two-level security system (cold wallets, multi-signature)

This option is suitable for cryptocurrency startups, online platforms and services dealing with digital assets.

3. Large project ($80,000-240,000+)

A full-fledged payment platform with maximum capabilities and high level of security. Development takes 6 to 12 months and requires serious technical solutions.

Functional:

• Support for dozens of cryptocurrencies and tokens
• Flexible commission system and customization of payment flows
• Connection of banking partners and custom fiat gateways
• Deep integration with exchanges and DeFi protocols
• Advanced transaction monitoring and fraud protection mechanisms
• Scalable infrastructure with high load support

This option is aimed at large financial companies, crypto-processing services and payment systems operating on the international market.

Additional expenses

In addition to developing the gateway itself, businesses need to consider legal and operational costs:

• Licensing (MSB in the US, EMI in the EU) - from $10,000 to $50,000
• Infrastructure (servers, hosting, security) - from $5,000 per year
• Support and updates - 10-20% of the development cost annually

It is essential to ensure legal compliance and meet all compliance requirements in every jurisdiction where you operate. This includes adhering to security standards, regulatory obligations, and legal regulations to minimize risk and maintain operational legitimacy.

The solution choice depends on the crypto business plan. Basic solutions allow you to enter the market quickly, but are limited in capabilities. Medium-level solutions provide a balance between cost and functionality, while large-scale projects are suitable for companies planning large-scale development.

Licensing and legal issues

Cryptocurrency payment gateways are subject to financial regulation in most countries. Legal operation requires licenses and compliance with AML/KYC requirements. When starting a business, it is important to choose the right jurisdiction to incorporate the company, as taxes, reporting requirements and customer service capabilities depend on the country of incorporation.

Popular jurisdictions:

• USA (Wyoming, Delaware) - high level of trust, but complex regulation
• Estonia, Lithuania - affordable licenses, convenient work with the EU
• Singapore, Hong Kong - favorable tax conditions for international business
• UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) - 0% profit tax, favorable crypto environment

Getting the appropriate licenses is an important part of this process, ensuring the legality of operations and customer confidence.

Basic licenses:

• MSB (Money Services Business) - USA (via FinCEN)
• EMI (Electronic Money Institution) - EU (via EU countries, e.g. Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic)
• FCA Crypto License - UK
• PSP (Payment Service Provider) - to work with fiat.
• VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) - global license for crypto operations

The Future of Crypto Payment Gateways

Crypto payment gateways are moving beyond simple transaction processing — they’re becoming the backbone of the new digital finance infrastructure. As stablecoins, CBDCs, and cross-chain technologies mature, gateways will evolve into multi-asset, interoperable payment hubs that connect traditional banking with Web3.

In the next few years, most global e-commerce and fintech platforms are expected to support crypto payments by default. With the rise of on-chain identity, instant settlements, and lower fees, crypto gateways are set to become as common as Visa or PayPal integrations — only faster, cheaper, and fully decentralized.

Our Case

Developing a cryptocurrency payment gateway is far more complex than it might seem at first glance. Our company Merehead had the experience of creating a large-scale project that came with a number of technical and organizational challenges.

Our team successfully completed the design phase and prepared a detailed user flow for the crypto payment gateway. The business analyst thoroughly reviewed all layouts to ensure they followed the overall product logic. However, during the process, we realized that the project was heavily tied to the financial domain and required deeper detailing in transactions and reporting. As a result, the number of layouts increased by approximately 25%.

It quickly became clear that this would be a challenging project, so we focused on thoroughly working through all details from the very beginning.

The main difficulties arose during the backend development phase. The team had to synchronize security mechanisms with widget elements, which proved to be quite complex. Additionally, we deployed blockchain nodes on our own servers, which required extra effort to maintain stable performance.

Another challenge was liquidity integration. We were unable to successfully connect a bank due to regulatory issues and an immature API. Therefore, we decided to adjust the architecture and use our own liquidity, balancing it through integration with Binance Exchange.

In the end, the project — initially planned for five months — exceeded the deadline by about two months. The main reason was the constant need to adapt to the real capabilities of external providers. Throughout the entire development process, we maintained transparent communication with the client, keeping them informed about every challenge and discussing possible solutions.

Despite the delay, the project was successfully completed and launched to the market for testing with real users.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrency payment gateways have become an integral part of today's financial ecosystem, providing businesses with the ability to process cryptocurrency payments with a high degree of security and efficiency. With the growing popularity of digital currencies and the increasing number of users, such solutions are becoming increasingly in demand for p2p crypto exchange and e-commerce. They provide convenience and savings for companies, as well as create new prospects for business development in the field of cryptocurrency transactions.

However, designing and implementing such gateways requires deep knowledge of blockchain technology, financial regulations and security. Choosing the right development approach, from outsourcing to building your own solution, as well as taking into account all legal aspects, are important components for a successful start.

Merehead is ready to provide you with professional assistance in the development of cryptocurrency payment gateways. We offer a full range of services from architecture design and solution development to implementation and support.

Our team has expertise and experience in creating high-tech solutions that meet international standards and ensure safety at all levels.

FAQs

How to build a crypto payment gateway?

There are several ways to create a cryptocurrency payment gateway: purchasing a ready-made solution, ordering development from a third-party company, or assembling your own team. The optimal choice is to work with a specialized development company. This ensures a custom solution tailored to business needs while maintaining a balance between cost and quality.

How to create crypto payment gateway in USA

Developing a crypto gateway in the US is quite expensive, as most companies charge over $100 per hour. Therefore, it is better to contact a company that is engaged in blockchain development and has teams from Eastern Europe or Asia.

Can I make my own crypto payment gateway?

You can make your own crypto payment gateway and develop it as a full-fledged crypto business. It is best to contact a development team that will implement the project in accordance with your ideas. After launch, you will be able to promote it on the market and earn commissions from transactions.

How does a crypto payment gateway work?

A cryptocurrency payment gateway allows websites to accept cryptocurrency payments in a few clicks. This tool is especially useful for e-commerce and SaaS, where cryptocurrency can be used as an additional payment method.

Best crypto payment gateway

There are many cryptocurrency gateways on the market, among the most popular ones it is worth noting: Cryptomus, NowPayments, Coinspaid, BitPay. They have extensive documentation and a convenient API for integration to a website.