Overview
NOWPayments was founded in 2018 as a non-custodial cryptocurrency payment gateway supporting 300+ cryptocurrencies. Unlike traditional fiat gateways, NOWPayments uses a non-custodial architecture: crypto paid by buyers flows directly into the merchant's wallet, and the platform never holds or custodies user funds, reducing counterparty credit and security risk.
NOWPayments mainly serves crypto-native businesses, including crypto ecommerce, software and digital goods, gaming and NFTs, donations, and subscriptions. The platform provides hosted checkout, payment links, a REST API, and plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and PrestaShop, and can auto-convert received crypto into fiat or stablecoins to help merchants avoid price volatility. As of 2026, NOWPayments serves a large number of SMBs and independent developers worldwide.
Key Strengths
- Broad Coin Coverage: Supports 300+ cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, and other mainstream assets across major chains, so buyers can always pay with a familiar asset.
- Non-custodial Security: Funds go directly to the merchant wallet; the platform does not hold assets, eliminating risks of platform failure, misuse, and concentrated hacking attacks.
- Auto-Conversion Locks In Value: Receipts can be auto-converted into fiat (USD, EUR) or stablecoins (USDT/USDC) to lock in value and avoid volatility. See the crypto payment gateway integration guide.
- Flexible Integration: Hosted checkout, payment links, API/SDK, and mainstream ecommerce plugins are all available, so even small merchants without developers can launch quickly.
- Transparent Pricing: A flat fee from 0.5% with no monthly charges or hidden fees, suited to small, high-frequency transactions.
Product Ecosystem
Hosted Checkout and Payment Links
Generate a checkout page or one-time payment link with no development, suitable for small merchants, freelancers, and social selling.
REST API and Ecommerce Plugins
Developers can deeply integrate via the REST API, while plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and PrestaShop enable crypto collections on major platforms within minutes.
Auto-Conversion
Settle in one of 30+ fiat or stablecoin currencies, converting crypto receipts at real-time rates with support for scheduled batch settlement.
Subscriptions and Donations
Supports recurring subscription billing and a crypto donation widget, ideal for content creators, open-source projects, and charities.
Mass Payouts
A batch payout feature that sends crypto to multiple recipients, suitable for platform commissions, airdrops, and team settlements.
Limitations
- Crypto-Only: No support for fiat methods such as credit cards or bank transfers, so coverage of ordinary consumers is limited and it is not suitable for mainstream ecommerce. For mass markets, pair it with Stripe or PayPal.
- Price Volatility Risk: Crypto prices are highly volatile; without auto-conversion merchants bear market fluctuation risk.
- Operational Responsibility in Non-Custodial Model: Merchants must manage wallets, private keys, and cold/hot storage themselves, with security responsibility upfront.
- Limited Fiat Payout Channels: Direct fiat bank payouts are limited; some markets require settlement via partners or stablecoins.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Cryptocurrency payment regulations vary widely by region, and compliance requirements in some countries are unclear; merchants should assess risk themselves.
Use Cases
- Crypto-Native Businesses （★★★★★）: For ecommerce, software, and NFT businesses serving crypto users, NOWPayments is the most direct collection solution.
- Digital Goods and Software Sales （★★★★☆）: Global users can buy software and digital content with crypto, avoiding cross-border payment friction.
- Donations and Monetization （★★★★☆）: Creators and open-source projects can collect via a donation widget or payment links in multiple coins.
- Mainstream Fiat Ecommerce （★☆☆☆☆）: Consumer coverage is limited; use fiat-capable Stripe or PayPal.
Pricing
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto-to-crypto payments | 0.5% | Flat fee, no monthly charge |
| Auto-conversion to fiat/stablecoin | 0.5% + FX spread | Real-time conversion |
| Network miner fees | Borne by buyer (customizable) | Auto top-up by default |
| Subscriptions | Same standard fee | Recurring billing |
| Mass payouts | 0.5% | Batch settlement |
Note: Exact fees are subject to the latest official schedule; high-volume merchants can negotiate. Test in a sandbox before going live—see the payment gateway sandbox testing guide.
FAQ
- Which coins does NOWPayments support? 300+ cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB, and DOGE, covering mainstream assets and major chains; see Cryptocurrency Payment Gateway Integration.
- What does non-custodial mean? Payments do not pass through the platform; they go directly to the merchant's own wallet. Merchants hold the private keys and full control of funds but are responsible for wallet security; see Cryptocurrency Payment Gateway Integration.
- How do I avoid price volatility? Enable auto-conversion to exchange receipts into fiat (USD, EUR) or stablecoins (USDT/USDC) at real-time rates, locking in collection value; see Cross-Border Payment Trends.
- Can I withdraw in fiat? Yes, via auto-conversion to fiat or stablecoins; direct fiat bank payouts are limited, and some markets require settlement through partners or stablecoins; see Multi-Currency Payment Account Guide.
- Is it suitable for ordinary ecommerce? Since it only supports crypto, coverage of mainstream consumers is limited. Use it as a supplementary method, or choose a fiat-capable payment platform; see Cross-Border Payment Platform Comparison.