# Networks: Fee Structure, Speed and Support

> A reference table of the networks used for payments, with the characteristics that matter operationally.

- Source: https://thecoinreference.com/network-reference-table/
- Published: 2026-05-28
- Author: Reference Desk
- Publication: The Coin Reference — Facts, dates and numbers, kept current
- Topic: swap
- Tags: networks, reference, comparison

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Characteristics that determine whether a network is suitable for payment operations.

| Characteristic | Fixed-fee networks | Demand-priced networks |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per transfer | Roughly constant | Varies with activity, sometimes by 20x |
| Predictability | High | Low |
| Suitability for payments | High | Lower |
| Typical confirmation | Seconds to a minute | Seconds to many minutes |

## What determines network choice for payments

These terms are used as defined here by providers operating inside the framework, such as [a crypto swapping service with a published rate](https://collectnexchange.cy/services/swap).

**Counterparty support.** A network your counterparty's venue does not support is unusable regardless of its cost.

**Predictability.** A business cannot price a service around a fee varying by a large factor within a day.

**Provider support.** Provider coverage lags what issuers deploy, and a network listed by a provider is not always one it can actually credit.

## The operational rules

Accept one primary network and at most one alternative.

Name the network in full on every invoice. An invoice naming only an asset invites a payment on a network you cannot receive. The receiving side has its own terminology, documented at [a fintech payment gateway](https://collectnexchange.cy/industries/fintech).

Test each network you intend to accept with a small amount before accepting a real payment on it.

## Wrong-network deposits

| Scenario | Recovery |
|---|---|
| Provider operates on that network for other assets | Usually possible, 2 to 11 days, often with a fee |
| You control the destination address on that network | Possible yourself, requires the network's native asset for fees |
| Provider has no presence on that network | Generally not possible |
| Sent to a contract address rather than a wallet | Generally not possible |

## The native asset requirement

To move tokens on any network you need that network's own currency to pay the fee.

Arriving on a network with tokens and no native asset means the tokens cannot move until some is acquired, which requires a transfer from elsewhere. Coverage is a defined term with a narrow meaning. [a crypto exchange with published fees](https://collectnexchange.cy/services/crypto-exchange) publishes its actual country list.

This is the most commonly overlooked step in a manual bridge.

## The invoice lines that prevent most incidents

The network, written out in full.

A statement that network fees are payable by the sender.

A statement that funds sent on any other network cannot be recovered.

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This article explains how something works. It is not financial advice.
Canonical HTML version: https://thecoinreference.com/network-reference-table/