What is a crypto on-ramp and off-ramp?

A crypto on-ramp is a service that turns regular money, such as dollars from a card or bank account, into crypto. An off-ramp does the reverse, turning crypto into money paid to a bank account, card or balance. The terms describe the entry and exit points between the traditional financial system and blockchains.

On-ramp and off-ramp, what do they mean?

Any exchange that sells crypto for cash is technically an on-ramp, but the term is now used most for services built into other products. When a wallet app shows a Buy button, it is usually connecting you to an outside on-ramp provider. MoonPay is one such provider, and its partners can add their own fee on top of MoonPay's, as our MoonPay guide explains.

Coinbase's developer docs describe the pair clearly. Its onramp converts fiat into crypto and sends it to any wallet address, using debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, US bank transfers or a Coinbase balance. Its offramp converts crypto into fiat and deposits it to a bank account, with US bank transfers, PayPal in some countries or a Coinbase balance. For the wider topic of turning crypto into money, see how to sell crypto for cash.

What is a crypto on-ramp provider?

A provider is the regulated company that actually takes the payment and delivers the crypto, while the wallet or app supplies the screen. As of October 2026, examples include:

• Stripe, whose onramp is in public preview. Stripe acts as merchant of record, takes on liability for fraud and disputes, and handles identity checks and sanctions screening.
• Coinbase, whose onramp and offramp can be embedded in other apps. New integrations start in a limited trial mode.
• Robinhood Connect, which lets people buy, sell and move crypto between a Robinhood account and outside wallets. Card and bank purchases cost 0% to 1.5%, and it is not available in New York.

Fees typically have several parts. MoonPay's disclosure lists a processing fee of up to 4.5%, a network fee, a possible partner fee and a spread built into the price. The review screen before you confirm shows what you will receive.

Why does a crypto on-ramp need KYC?

On-ramps move money between bank accounts and crypto, which places them under anti-money laundering rules. The Financial Action Task Force, which sets global standards, says countries should license or register virtual asset service providers, supervise them and apply the same relevant measures as banks. In practice this means identity checks, known as KYC, before buying or selling.

Some providers save that verification so returning users skip steps. Stripe, for instance, lets customers store payment methods and identity data for later purchases. Limits often depend on how much verification has been completed.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the provider's terms and your local regulator before you use one.