On-Ramp
Quick Answer
An on-ramp converts fiat currency into cryptocurrency, enabling users to fund wallets for purchases via bank transfers or credit cards.
Full Definition
An on-ramp is a service that converts fiat currency into cryptocurrency, enabling users to enter the crypto ecosystem. On-ramps accept bank transfers, credit cards, and other traditional payment methods. They are the entry point for customers who want to fund crypto wallets for purchases. Embedded on-ramp widgets allow merchants to offer fiat-to-crypto conversion directly in their checkout flow.
Related Terms
Off-Ramp
An off-ramp converts cryptocurrency into fiat currency. Same-day off-ramping is a key feature for merchant adoption of crypto payments.
On-Chain
On-chain refers to transactions recorded directly on a blockchain, publicly verifiable and immutable — providing a tamper-proof record of every payment.
Oracle
A blockchain oracle provides external real-world data (like exchange rates) to smart contracts, critical for accurate crypto-to-fiat conversion in payment processing.
OTC (Over-the-Counter)
OTC trading is direct cryptocurrency exchange between parties without a public order book, used by off-ramp providers to convert large volumes for merchant settlement.