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NOWPayments vs CoinPayments vs Larecoin: Which Crypto POS System Actually Gives You Self-Custody AND US Compliance?


Let's get real.

Crypto payment processors love to talk about "decentralization." But here's the uncomfortable truth: most of them still want to hold your money.

And if you're a US-based merchant? Good luck finding one that's actually compliant with federal and state regulations.

We did the homework. Compared the big names. And the results might surprise you.

The Self-Custody Problem Nobody Talks About

You got into crypto for a reason. Control. Ownership. No middlemen.

Then you sign up for a payment processor and, wait, they're holding your funds?

That's custodial. That's the old system with a Web3 coat of paint.

True self-custody means:

  • Funds go directly to YOUR wallet

  • No third-party holding period

  • You control your private keys

  • Instant settlement

Simple concept. Hard to find in practice.

Larecoin decentralized applications

US Compliance: The Elephant in the Room

Here's where it gets tricky.

Operating a crypto payment service in the United States isn't optional. It's heavily regulated.

You need:

  • FinCEN registration as a Money Services Business (MSB)

  • State Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) in most states

  • Robust AML/KYC procedures

  • Clear compliance documentation

Most crypto payment processors? They dodge this entirely. Operate offshore. Hope for the best.

That's a risk you don't need.

NOWPayments: The Non-Custodial Option (With Asterisks)

NOWPayments has carved out a solid reputation.

The Good:

  • Non-custodial option available

  • Supports 200+ cryptocurrencies

  • Customizable network fees

  • Advanced AML compliance features

  • API integration for developers

The Catch:

  • Custody services exist for operational balances

  • US compliance status unclear

  • No specific MSB/MTL information publicly available

  • You'll need to verify their regulatory standing yourself

NOWPayments offers flexibility. But when it comes to US-specific compliance? The documentation is thin.

For international merchants, it's a decent choice. For US-based businesses needing regulatory certainty? Question marks remain.

CoinPayments: The OG With Legacy Issues

CoinPayments has been around since 2013. That's ancient in crypto years.

The Good:

  • Multi-coin support (2,000+ coins)

  • Established track record

  • Merchant tools and plugins

  • Auto-convert options

The Not-So-Good:

  • Primarily custodial model

  • Limited self-custody alternatives

  • US compliance details not transparent

  • Withdrawal fees can add up

  • Dated interface

Comparison of traditional custodial banking systems versus modern self-custody crypto wallets in payments

CoinPayments feels like it was built for a different era. The custodial approach contradicts the whole point of crypto. And if you're serious about self-custody AND US compliance, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Larecoin: Self-Custody + US Compliance = Finally

Here's where things get interesting.

Larecoin was built from the ground up with two non-negotiables:

  1. Full self-custody , Direct merchant-to-customer transactions

  2. Rigorous US compliance , MSB registration and state MTL strategy

No compromises. No asterisks.

Astronaut with Larecoin Token

How Larecoin Self-Custody Works

Funds go immediately to your wallet. Period.

  • No third party ever touches your crypto

  • You control your private keys

  • Instant settlement

  • Zero custody risk

This is Web3 payments done right.

The US Compliance Advantage

Larecoin isn't playing games with regulation.

Active compliance strategy includes:

  • FinCEN Money Services Business (MSB) registration

  • State-by-state Money Transmitter License pursuit

  • Built-in AML/KYC protocols

  • Transparent compliance documentation

For US merchants, this is massive. You can accept crypto payments without the regulatory anxiety.

Feature Comparison: Side-by-Side

Feature

NOWPayments

CoinPayments

Larecoin

Self-Custody

Partial

Limited

Full

US MSB Registered

Unclear

Unclear

Yes

State MTL Strategy

Unknown

Unknown

Active

Fee Structure

0.5-1%

0.5%

Lower

NFT Receipts

No

No

Yes

Stablecoin (LUSD)

No

No

Yes

Direct Settlement

Sometimes

No

Always

The numbers don't lie.

Fee Savings That Actually Matter

Processing fees eat into margins. Every percentage point counts.

Traditional processors? 2.5-3.5% per transaction.

NOWPayments and CoinPayments? Around 0.5-1%.

Larecoin? Even lower: plus you're not losing money to custodial holding periods or withdrawal fees.

Real math:

  • $100,000/month in transactions

  • 1% fee difference = $1,000/month saved

  • That's $12,000/year back in your pocket

Multiply that across years of operation. The savings compound.

Crypto Payments Made Easy

NFT Receipts: Beyond the Hype

NFT receipts sound gimmicky. They're not.

Practical benefits:

  • Immutable proof of purchase

  • Easy returns/warranty verification

  • Customer loyalty programs built-in

  • Resale and transfer capabilities

  • Tax documentation simplified

Every transaction becomes a verifiable digital asset. Try doing that with a paper receipt.

Neither NOWPayments nor CoinPayments offers this. Larecoin does: natively.

LUSD: Stability Meets Utility

Crypto volatility scares merchants. We get it.

LUSD (Larecoin's stablecoin) solves this.

Benefits:

  • Dollar-pegged stability

  • Gas-only transfers

  • No conversion fees

  • Instant settlement

  • Push-to-card capabilities

Accept crypto. Settle in stable value. Sleep at night.

The Integration Story

Nobody wants a payment system that requires a PhD to implement.

Larecoin's contactless POS:

  • Plug and play setup

  • Merchant portal dashboard

  • Real-time analytics

  • Multi-chain support (Solana, Binance, and more)

  • API documentation that doesn't require a decoder ring

Solana blockchain logo

Who Should Use What?

Choose NOWPayments if:

  • You're primarily international

  • US compliance isn't your concern

  • You need multi-crypto flexibility

Choose CoinPayments if:

  • You want maximum coin variety

  • Custody doesn't bother you

  • Legacy integrations matter

Choose Larecoin if:

  • Self-custody is non-negotiable

  • You need US compliance certainty

  • Fee savings matter

  • NFT receipts add value

  • Stablecoin settlement appeals to you

The Bottom Line

The crypto payment space has options. Not all options are equal.

NOWPayments offers flexibility with compliance question marks.

CoinPayments offers history with custodial baggage.

Larecoin offers what nobody else does: True self-custody paired with rigorous US compliance. Lower fees. NFT receipts. LUSD stability.

This isn't marketing fluff. It's architecture.

Built for merchants who understand that crypto payments should actually feel like crypto: not traditional finance wearing a hoodie.

Ready to see the difference yourself?

Explore Larecoin and join the merchants who've already made the switch.

Part of the Larecoin 10-Year Blog Marathon. More comparisons, insights, and Web3 payment deep-dives coming soon.

 
 
 

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