5 Steps How to Reduce Merchant Interchange Fees and Accept Crypto (Easy Guide for Small Businesses)

Interchange fees are eating your profits.

Every swipe. Every tap. Every online checkout. The card networks take their cut. Processors take theirs. And you're left wondering where your margins went.

Small businesses lose 2-4% on every credit card transaction. That adds up fast. We're talking thousands: sometimes tens of thousands: annually.

But here's the thing. You don't have to accept it.

Crypto payments offer a way out. Lower fees. Full custody. Real merchant freedom.

This guide breaks down exactly how to slash those interchange fees and start accepting crypto the smart way. Five steps. No fluff.

Let's get into it.

Step 1: Audit Your Current Payment Processing Costs

First things first. Know what you're paying.

Most merchants don't actually understand their processing statements. Card networks adjust interchange rates twice a year. Your processor markup? That varies wildly.

Here's what to look for:

• Interchange fees (non-negotiable, set by Visa/Mastercard)

• Processor markup (this is where you can negotiate)

• Assessment fees

• Monthly fees, PCI compliance fees, statement fees

Pull your last three months of statements. Calculate your effective rate. Divide total fees by total volume.

If you're paying more than 2.5%, you're overpaying.

Pro tip: Check your Merchant Category Code (MCC). Misclassification happens all the time. Non-profits and certain industries qualify for lower rates.

Step 2: Optimize Your Traditional Payment Setup

Before adding crypto, squeeze every penny from your existing setup.

Switch to Interchange-Plus Pricing

Flat-rate pricing (think Square, Stripe) is convenient. But it's not the cheapest once you're processing over $10K/month.

Interchange-plus separates the interchange fee from the processor's markup. You see exactly what you're paying. Transparency = leverage.

Encourage Lower-Cost Payment Methods

Not all payments cost the same:

• ACH transfers: No interchange fees. Fraction of the cost.

• Debit cards: Lower fees than credit cards.

• Mobile wallets: Often competitive rates.

Offer a small discount for ACH or debit. Watch your processing costs drop.

Optimize for Card-Present Transactions

In-person transactions are cheaper than online. Lower fraud risk = lower interchange.

If you're a retail business, prioritize tap, chip, and swipe over manual entry.

Step 3: Add Crypto Payments to Slash Fees by 50%

Here's where it gets interesting.

Traditional payment rails charge 2-4%. Crypto? A fraction of that.

No interchange fees. No chargebacks. No middlemen skimming off the top.

Why crypto payments work for small businesses:

• Fees as low as 0.5-1%

• Instant settlement (no waiting 2-3 days)

• Global reach without currency conversion fees

• Zero chargebacks (transactions are final)

The math is simple. If you're processing $50,000/month and paying 3% in fees, that's $1,500 gone. Cut that to 1% with crypto? You just saved $1,000/month.

That's $12,000 annually. Back in your pocket.

Step 4: Choose the Right Crypto Payment Solution

Not all crypto payment processors are created equal.

Some take custody of your funds. Some charge hidden fees. Some don't support the coins your customers actually use.

Let's compare the major players.

NOWPayments

Popular. Easy integration. But here's the catch:

• They take custody of your crypto

• Limited fiat off-ramp options

• Fees can add up with conversions

You're trusting a third party with your funds. That's not decentralization. That's just a different middleman.

CoinPayments

Been around forever. Supports 2,000+ coins. But:

• Custodial wallet system

• Complex fee structure

• Dated interface

Again: custody is the issue. Your crypto sits in their wallet. Not yours.

Larecoin: Self-Custody + Real Savings

This is where Larecoin changes the game.

Full self-custody. Your funds hit your wallet directly. No intermediary holding your crypto.

LUSD stablecoin. Avoid volatility. Accept crypto, receive stable value.

NFT receipts. Every transaction generates a verifiable, on-chain receipt. Perfect for accounting, compliance, and customer engagement.

Lower fees. We're talking 50% less than traditional interchange.

Gas-only transfers. Minimal transaction costs on the Solana network.

The difference is merchant freedom. You own your funds. You control your business.

Step 5: Set Up Self-Custody and Maintain Control

Self-custody isn't optional. It's essential.

When you use custodial solutions, you're trusting someone else with your money. History shows that's risky. Exchange hacks. Frozen accounts. Withdrawal limits.

With Larecoin's self-custody model:

• Funds go directly to your wallet

• No third-party access to your crypto

• Instant availability: spend, convert, or hold

How to set it up:

1. Create a Solana-compatible wallet (Phantom, Solflare)

2. Connect to Larecoin's ecosystem

3. Generate your merchant payment address

4. Start accepting payments

That's it. Four steps to financial sovereignty.

Why self-custody matters for small businesses:

• No frozen funds

• No withdrawal delays

• No account terminations

• Full control over your revenue

This is what merchant independence looks like.

Bonus: NFT Receipts and the LUSD Advantage

Let's talk about two features that set Larecoin apart.

NFT Receipts

Every transaction minted as an NFT. Sounds fancy. But it's practical.

Benefits:

• Immutable proof of transaction

• Simplified accounting and tax reporting

• Customer loyalty opportunities (collectible receipts)

• Dispute resolution made easy

Traditional receipts get lost. Paper fades. Emails get deleted. NFT receipts live forever on-chain.

LUSD Stablecoin

Crypto volatility scares merchants. Understandable.

LUSD solves this. Accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana: receive LUSD pegged to the dollar.

• No price swings

• Predictable revenue

• Easy conversion to fiat when needed

You get the benefits of crypto (low fees, fast settlement) without the volatility risk.

Quick Comparison: Larecoin vs. Competitors

The choice is clear. Larecoin delivers what merchants actually need: lower fees, full control, and innovative features.

Your Action Plan

Stop letting interchange fees drain your business.

Today:

1. Audit your current processing costs

2. Calculate your effective rate

3. Explore crypto payment options

This Week:

1. Set up a Solana wallet

2. Visit Larecoin to learn more

3. Connect with the community

This Month:

1. Launch crypto payments

2. Track your fee savings

3. Scale your merchant freedom

Small businesses deserve better than 3% fees on every transaction. Crypto makes it possible. Larecoin makes it easy.

Ready to Cut Your Fees in Half?

The future of payments is decentralized. Self-custody. Low fees. Real ownership.

Check out our comparison guides for deeper dives into how Larecoin stacks up.

Your margins matter. Keep more of what you earn.

Let's build merchant freedom together.