Why network fees rise and fall through the day
The same transfer can cost more in the morning than in the evening, or the other way round. Here is what drives the difference and what you can do about it.
Published September 30, 2026 · 2 min read
Key takeaways
- A network fee reflects how busy the blockchain is at that moment, not the size of your wallet or the wallet provider's pricing.
- Market spikes and other busy periods push fees up; quiet periods bring them down.
- Sending the same coin over a cheaper network is one way to cut the cost, but the receiving address must match that network.
- The sending side shows the fee before broadcast, so you can check it before you confirm.
Why does the network fee go up and down?
Every blockchain has limited room in each block, and that room is called block space. Users who want their transfer included pay a fee, and the fee is set by supply and demand for that space. When few people are transacting, there is plenty of room and the price stays low. When many people transact at once, they compete for the same room and the fee climbs.
When are network fees higher and when are they lower?
Fees are lower in quiet periods and higher in busy ones. A typical busy moment is a market spike, when many people move funds at the same time. There is no fixed timetable that works for every network, because the fee follows real activity rather than the clock. If a transfer is not urgent, checking the fee again a little later can show a different number.
Who receives the network fee: the wallet or the network?
The fee is paid to the network, not to the wallet. The sending side calculates it and shows it before the transfer is broadcast, so you see the cost before you confirm. This is why the same wallet can show different fees on different days: the wallet is not changing its price, the network is changing its.
How can I pay a lower network fee?
One way is to choose a cheaper network for the same coin. USDT and USDC, for example, can move over TRC-20, ERC-20, BEP-20 and TON, and the fee is shown on the sending side for each. Another way is to wait for a quieter period if the transfer is not urgent. Before switching networks, make sure the receiving address was issued for that exact network. A transfer sent through the wrong network will not arrive and cannot be reversed.
| Situation | Demand for block space | Effect on the fee | What you can do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet period | Low | Fee tends to be lower | Send if the fee shown looks acceptable |
| Busy period, such as a market spike | High | Fee tends to be higher | Wait if the transfer is not urgent |
| Same coin on a cheaper network | Depends on that network | Fee may be lower | Check the fee on the sending side and confirm the address matches the network |
What should I check before sending funds to a Nexus Pay wallet?
Nexus Pay is a crypto wallet with a Visa card, opened in Telegram, and each deposit address belongs to one network. Pick the network first, copy the address issued for it, and only then send. Every network also has a minimum deposit amount shown in the app, and deposits below it are not credited. Once the network confirms the transfer, the deposit is credited automatically, which takes from a few minutes to about an hour depending on the blockchain.
Is the network fee the same as the wallet or card fees?
No. The network fee goes to the blockchain and varies with demand. Fees charged inside a product are separate and fixed by its terms. In Nexus Pay, swapping coins costs 0% at the exchange rate with no markup, moving money from the wallet balance to the card costs 0.1%, and an ATM withdrawal costs 0.25% per withdrawal. An ATM owner may add its own fee, shown on the ATM screen before you confirm.
Common questions
Does the wallet decide the network fee?
No. The fee is set by supply and demand for block space and is paid to the network. The sending side shows it before the transfer is broadcast.
Why is the fee higher during a market spike?
Many people transact at once, so they compete for limited block space. That competition pushes the fee up.
Can I get the network fee back if I cancel?
The topic facts here do not describe refunds. Blockchain transfers are irreversible, so check the address, network and fee before you confirm.
Is it safe to switch networks just to save on the fee?
Only if the receiving address was issued for the same network. A transfer sent through a different network than the address was issued for will not arrive and cannot be reversed.
Does Nexus Pay charge for swapping coins?
No. Swapping inside the wallet costs 0% and uses the exchange rate with no markup, and the amount you receive is shown before you confirm.
Related reading
Fee calculatorWhat reaches the card and how much cash you get from your amount — at our rates.
How Network Congestion Affects Transaction Speed and FeesWhy crypto fees and confirmation times spike during busy periods. Understand blockchain capacity, congestion, and how to choose networks.
Which network is cheapest for depositing USDT, and how to chooseTRC-20 and BEP-20 usually cost much less than ERC-20 to send USDT. See how network fees work and how to choose a network without losing funds.
What the mempool is, in simple terms, and why your transfer waitsThe mempool is the waiting area for crypto transactions not yet in a block. Here is why a busy network makes your transfer wait and what you can do.