Third-Party On-Ramps Bring Cryptocurrency Buying to Payment Apps

Payment apps are no longer limited to offering cryptocurrency buying through in-house exchange infrastructure. A new trend is emerging where third-party crypto on-ramps enable wallets, fintech platforms, and payment apps to embed digital asset purchasing without needing to develop their own exchange infrastructure.

The process works by integrating APIs, software development kits (SDKs), or embedded checkout systems provided by the on-ramp companies. This allows users to convert traditional currency into cryptocurrency while remaining within the original application.

For example, MoonPay operates across more than 160 countries and supports over 300 wallets, websites, and applications. Transak supports more than 136 cryptocurrencies across 45 blockchains. These providers connect apps to various payment methods that would otherwise require separate integrations, including cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Revolut, bank transfers, and region-specific options.

Established providers like Stripe handle complexity by handling KYC verification, sanctions screening, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance. This reduces the technical and compliance infrastructure that an app must build itself. However, businesses still need to understand their regulatory exposure as responsibilities differ across providers and jurisdictions.