Which conversion are you paying for?
An exchange-rate markup is built into the rate; an explicit fee is charged separately. A crypto-to-cash conversion and a currency exchange are different steps. Only count the charges that apply to your payment.
| Conversion | What it costs |
|---|---|
| Supported stablecoin → KAST USD balance | 1:1; no spread listed by KAST |
| Crypto → fiat for a RedotPay card purchase | 1% crypto conversion; separate FX fee outside the card’s default currency |
| KAST USD balance → non-USD purchase | 0.5%–1.75% FX depending on the card program and location; extra $0.10 below $25 |
| Merchant converts the bill to your home currency | Merchant/ATM exchange rate and markup shown at checkout |
Details and conditions
- Ask whether the quoted rate already includes a markup and whether the fee comes out before conversion. Otherwise you can miss a cost—or count it twice.
Can a visible fee still be the cheaper option?
Yes. In this hypothetical $1,000-to-EUR transfer, the quote with a $5 fee delivers €15.50 more. Its better exchange rate more than covers the fee.
| Quote | Calculation | You receive |
|---|---|---|
| A: no separate fee | $1,000 × €0.88 per $1 | €880.00 |
| B: $5 fee | ($1,000 − $5) × €0.90 per $1 | €895.50 |
Details and conditions
- Use real quotes taken close together, for the same currencies, amount and payment method. Check whether the displayed rate already includes a markup.
Should you pay in local or home currency?
A merchant or ATM may offer to convert the charge into your home currency. Visa calls this dynamic currency conversion and requires a choice with both amounts, the exchange rate and markup displayed.
Details and conditions
- Declining the offer leaves conversion to your normal card route. Accepting uses the offered conversion. Compare those costs; neither choice automatically cancels your own card’s fees. Keep the receipt if the charged currency differs from your selection.
Does crypto conversion replace the FX charge?
No. RedotPay’s Regular card schedule lists 1% for converting crypto into spending money, plus 1.2% for a purchase outside the card’s default currency. KAST lists supported stablecoins → USD at 1:1 with no spread, then its separate FX fee for non-USD spending.
Details and conditions
- Moving USDC into a USD balance is not the same as converting USD into EUR for a purchase. A processing step does not automatically carry a charge. See the side-by-side card fee examples.
Where can you avoid an extra conversion?
Map the currencies you earn and spend. Converting money into a currency you immediately convert again can add an unnecessary step. Keeping a matching expense balance may help, with the exchange-rate exposure that comes with holding it.
Details and conditions
- For invoices, agree the payment currency and who pays fees. For purchases, read the terminal before confirming. Save the final quote and time—you will have something concrete to compare.
Sources and scope
Sources, assumptions and open questions
Official-source research; no hands-on testing. No affiliate links. Review date: 2 November 2026. Examples are calculations, not live quotes.
- No live exchange quote or universal cheapest route is claimed. Compare the final amounts shown for your transaction.