Definition
A fiat gateway provides a route between money held through banks or payment services and the crypto economy. It may support buying crypto with fiat, selling crypto for fiat, or both. A gateway can be operated by an exchange or a separate payment provider embedded in its interface.
How It Works
The service links a payment method with a conversion and delivery process. A purchase can involve identity checks, bank or card authorization, a crypto quote, and crediting assets to an account or wallet. An outgoing conversion can require selling crypto before a payment reaches a bank account. These are separate processing steps.
Key Considerations
The gateway’s supported currencies, regions, and payment methods limit who can use it. A successful blockchain transfer does not by itself confirm that a bank payout has settled. Compare conversion rates and total charges, check which provider handles the payment, and distinguish payment-processing delays from blockchain confirmation time.