What are network fees?
Every transaction you send on a blockchain requires a network fee. These fees are paid to validators or miners to process and secure transactions. While Wraith Wallet makes the process simple, understanding how network fees work will help you use your wallet more effectively.
Why network fees existβ
Rewarding validators and miners - fees incentivise those who maintain the network.
Securing the blockchain - without fees, bad actors could flood the network with fake transactions.
Transaction priority - paying higher fees can push your transaction ahead during congestion.
Note: Wraith Wallet does not take any portion of network fees. 100% of these fees go directly to the blockchainβs validators or miners.
Examples of network feesβ
Bitcoin (BTC)β
Transactions are processed by miners.
Fees are measured in satoshis per byte (the smallest unit of Bitcoin).
During busy periods, users may increase fees to confirm faster.
Example: sending BTC with too low a fee may result in your transaction sitting unconfirmed in the mempool until miners prioritise it.
Ethereum (ETH)β
Uses gas to measure computational effort.
Gas fees are paid in ETH.
Gas prices fluctuate depending on network activity and demand.
Complex smart contract interactions cost more gas than simple transfers.
Example: swapping tokens on a decentralised exchange requires more gas than sending ETH to a friend.
Solana (SOL)β
Solana is designed for high throughput and low fees.
Fees are tiny compared to other blockchains, usually just fractions of a cent.
Despite the low cost, fees still prevent spam and reward validators.
Example: sending USDC on Solana costs a fraction of a penny, making it ideal for fast payments.
Do network fees go to Wraith Wallet?β
No. Wraith Wallet is non-custodial. Transactions are sent directly to the blockchain network.
We do not add a surcharge or retain any part of the fee.
All fees are determined by the blockchain itself.
Fee levels vary depending on demand at the time you send your transaction.
How fees appear in Wraith Walletβ
When sending a transaction, the fee is displayed before you confirm.
On EVM chains, you can adjust gas levels for faster or slower confirmations.
On chains with fixed fees (e.g. Solana), the app shows the expected cost.
Tip: Always keep a small balance of the native coin (ETH, SOL, BNB, etc.) in your wallet to pay for future transactions.
Key points to rememberβ
Fees are essential to blockchain security.
They vary between networks and transaction types.
Wraith Wallet does not control or profit from these fees.
Previous: [What is a coin? What is a token?] Next: [What are minimum balance requirements?]