Stake Deposit Methods & Payment Issues: Complete Guide

How to Deposit on Stake: Payment Methods, Issues & Solutions

Depositing on Stake should be straightforward, but payment blocks, verification failures, and pending transactions frustrate players daily. This guide covers every deposit method available, common problems you’ll encounter, and verified fixes from community data.

Whether you’re stuck with Revolut blocking your transaction, MoonPay rejecting your verification, or crypto stuck pending on the blockchain, you’ll find actionable solutions below.

Stake Deposit Methods: Complete Overview

Stake accepts five primary deposit routes: direct cryptocurrency, MoonPay (the default fiat gateway), bank cards, payment apps like Revolut and Wise, and alternative crypto solutions. Each has different speeds, fees, and geographic availability.

Direct Cryptocurrency Deposits

The most reliable deposit method on Stake is sending crypto directly from your wallet. Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and Litecoin deposits bypass payment processors entirely, eliminating verification failures and geographic blocks.

Supported cryptocurrencies and network options

Stake accepts Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USDT (Tether), USDC, Litecoin (LTC), and emerging assets depending on market liquidity. For stablecoins like USDT, you can choose multiple networks: Ethereum mainnet, Polygon (fastest and cheapest), Arbitrum, or Optimism.

Polygon deposits typically confirm within 1-2 minutes with fees under $1. Ethereum mainnet confirms in 15+ minutes but costs $5-15 in gas during congestion. Choose based on your urgency and fee tolerance.

Minimum deposit amounts and fees

Minimum crypto deposits range from $1-$25 depending on asset volatility. Stake charges no deposit fee—you only pay blockchain network fees (gas), which are handled by your wallet during withdrawal.

For example, sending $100 USDT on Polygon costs ~$0.50. The same transfer on Ethereum could cost $8-15 during peak network times.

Expected confirmation times by blockchain

Bitcoin deposits: 10-60 minutes depending on network congestion and miner fees. Ethereum: 15 minutes average. Polygon: 1-2 minutes. Arbitrum: 3-5 minutes. Stake typically credits your account once the transaction reaches 3-6 on-chain confirmations.

MoonPay Payment Gateway

MoonPay is Stake’s primary fiat on-ramp, allowing you to buy crypto directly with credit cards, bank transfers, or Apple Pay in 160+ countries. It’s the fastest way to deposit if you don’t already hold crypto.

MoonPay is a legitimate third-party service owned by Visa and Ribbit Capital. Stake uses it but doesn’t operate it—your KYC data goes to MoonPay, not directly to Stake.

MoonPay vs traditional card payments

Traditional card payments on most gambling sites require direct merchant processing, which many card issuers block. MoonPay acts as an intermediary: you send fiat to MoonPay, they verify your identity (KYC), then deliver crypto to your Stake wallet.

This separation actually improves approval rates because MoonPay handles all KYC compliance, reducing risk for card issuers. However, it adds a 2-5% fee and a 24-hour wait in some cases.

Supported payment methods through MoonPay

MoonPay accepts credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA bank transfers (Europe), and ACH transfers (US). Your card issuer must not block gambling merchants—this is the most common failure point.

First-time MoonPay users face lower limits ($100-$500 per transaction). After identity verification and history building, limits increase to $1,000-$2,000+ per day.

Geographic limitations and verification requirements

MoonPay operates in 160+ countries but excludes certain regions including parts of Asia, some Middle Eastern countries, and occasionally updates blocks based on local regulations. Check the live payment method selector in your Stake app to confirm availability in your country.

Full KYC is required: name, date of birth, address, and ID/passport upload. Verification typically completes within 5 minutes, but can take 24+ hours if flagged for manual review.

Bank Cards & Direct Transfers

Visa and Mastercard can fund Stake directly in supported regions, though many card issuers block gambling merchants. Bank transfers (wire, ACH, SEPA) are slower but less likely to be rejected since they involve your bank, not a card network.

Accepted card types (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)

Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards are accepted on Stake. American Express is less consistently supported depending on your region. Virtual cards and prepaid cards often work, but if issued through a major bank like Chase or Barclays, they may be blocked at the bank level.

Business cards and cards from crypto-friendly banks (like Revolut before their gambling block) are historically more reliable, though this changes based on issuer policy updates.

Direct bank transfer steps

If your card is blocked, many regions allow SEPA transfer (Europe), ACH (US), or local bank transfer equivalents. Access the bank transfer option in Stake’s payment menu, receive generated account details, and initiate a transfer from your bank.

Processing times vary: SEPA (1-2 business days), ACH (1-3 business days), international wire (3-5 business days). Most players receive crypto within 24 hours of their bank confirming the transaction, but delays of 48-72 hours are common.

Processing times by region

US players using ACH: 1-2 business days. UK players using Faster Payments: typically 2-4 hours. European SEPA: 1 business day standard (instant available at premium cost). Australia (POLi): 15-30 minutes. Canada (Interac): instant to 24 hours depending on your bank.

Revolut & Alternative Payment Apps

Revolut is a popular fintech app known for low fees and multi-currency support, but it blocks most gambling transactions. Wise, PayPal, and similar apps have varying policies—some allow Stake deposits, others don’t.

Why Revolut blocks Stake transactions

Revolut categorizes gambling merchants under MCC 7995 and enforces a blanket block on deposits to online casinos. This is a policy choice by Revolut, not a technical limitation. Their stated reasoning is risk management, though many crypto-friendly fintech users consider it overly restrictive.

The block applies to all Stake transactions—it doesn’t matter if you’re using a Revolut card through MoonPay or sending a direct bank transfer. Revolut’s system flags the destination merchant and rejects it automatically.

Workarounds and approved alternatives

If Revolut blocks your Stake deposit, use Revolut to fund an intermediate wallet or exchange account first (Kraken, Coinbase, Kucoin), then withdraw crypto to Stake. Alternatively, use Wise, which generally allows gambling transactions, or switch to a traditional bank card.

Some players report using Revolut Business cards with different merchant categorization, but Revolut has since closed this loophole. Your best option is avoiding Revolut entirely for Stake and using it to fund crypto exchanges instead.

Regional variations in blocking

Revolut’s gambling block is global and uniform—there are no regions where it’s unblocked. However, PayPal’s stance varies by country: blocked in some regions, allowed in others. Wise is more permissive and allows gambling globally, though individual banks connected to Wise may still block transactions.

Stake Deposit Not Working: Troubleshooting Guide

Deposits fail for five main reasons: account verification incomplete, payment method ineligible, network/blockchain delays, payment processor rejections, or compliance holds. Diagnosing which applies to you is the first step to fixing it.

Deposit Blocked or Rejected

If your deposit is rejected immediately (within seconds of submitting), the block happened at the payment processor, bank, or Stake’s internal fraud screening. This is different from a delay—it means the transaction never started.

Check account verification status

Before any deposit is processed, Stake requires your account to pass basic verification: email confirmation and age/jurisdiction check (usually instant). Some accounts are flagged for enhanced verification if they appear high-risk.

Log into your Stake account and check your profile. If your status shows “Pending Verification” or “Manual Review Required,” you must complete this before deposits are accepted. Stake typically completes manual reviews within 24-48 hours.

Review payment method eligibility

Your specific card, bank, or payment app may be blacklisted by Stake, MoonPay, or Stake’s fraud system. This happens when that payment method has been used for chargebacks, fraud, or account abuse previously.

Try a different card, bank account, or payment method. If multiple cards are all rejected, the issue is your Stake account’s risk profile, not the payment methods. Contact Stake support to request a review.

Contact Stake support with transaction details

If your deposit is blocked and you can’t identify why, open a support ticket on Stake with: the exact error message displayed, the payment method type (card/bank/MoonPay), the amount, and timestamp. Include any transaction ID or reference number provided.

Expect a response within 24-48 hours. Stake support can see back-end data (fraud scores, payment processor responses) that’s invisible to you and can often override false-positive blocks.

Deposit Delays & Pending Transactions

If your transaction appears to have started but the crypto hasn’t arrived in your Stake wallet after the expected timeframe, it’s likely stuck in the blockchain mempool, pending processor confirmation, or queued in Stake’s deposit processing system.

Check transaction ID and blockchain explorer

For crypto deposits, find your transaction hash (usually visible in Stake’s pending deposits section or your wallet history). Visit Etherscan.io (Ethereum), Polygonscan.io (Polygon), or the appropriate blockchain explorer and paste your hash into the search bar.

If the transaction shows “Confirmed” on the explorer, it has mined successfully on the blockchain. If it shows “Pending,” it’s still waiting for miners to include it in a block. If it doesn’t appear at all, the transaction may not have been broadcast—check your wallet’s transaction history.

Understand confirmation requirements

Stake doesn’t credit your account immediately upon transaction confirmation. They wait for 3-6 additional blocks after yours is mined to ensure transaction finality and prevent blockchain reorganization attacks.

On Ethereum, this adds 15-30 additional minutes. On Polygon, 2-5 additional minutes. During extreme network congestion, waiting for these confirmations can extend your deposit time from 1 hour to 3-4 hours.

When to escalate to support

If a crypto transaction has been confirmed on the blockchain for more than 2 hours and hasn’t appeared in your Stake account, contact support with your transaction hash. Provide a screenshot from the blockchain explorer showing the transaction is confirmed.

Support can manually check Stake’s wallet logs to confirm receipt and manually credit your account if a processing error occurred. Have your wallet address, transaction hash, and amount ready when you contact them.

MoonPay Not Working on Stake

MoonPay failures are the most common deposit problem. Verify that you’re being rejected by MoonPay’s system specifically, not by your bank or Stake’s pre-checks.

KYC verification failures and solutions

MoonPay requires valid government ID (passport or driver’s licence). The most common rejections are: ID too blurry, photo doesn’t match your face clearly enough, or your address can’t be verified.

Retake your ID photo in good lighting, ensure your face is clearly visible and matches your document exactly, and use the address currently on your ID—not a new address. If you’ve recently moved, update your ID first or use your old address temporarily.

If verification still fails after a second attempt, your account may be flagged for manual review. MoonPay will email you within 24-48 hours with next steps. Do not create duplicate accounts—this will trigger additional delays.

Account limits and daily caps exceeded

MoonPay enforces progressive limits: first-time users ($100-$500 per transaction), established users ($1,000-$2,000 per day). If you’ve hit your daily limit, wait until tomorrow. If you exceed your daily total, the transaction is rejected even if individual purchases are under the limit.

Limits increase based on successful transaction history and account age. After 30 days of verified activity, your limit typically doubles. Contact MoonPay support directly (through their chat in the Stake deposit flow) to request a manual limit increase if you’re a trusted user.

Regional restrictions on MoonPay

MoonPay doesn’t operate in every country. Check Stake’s payment method selector (available before you enter payment details) to confirm if MoonPay is available in your region. If it’s not listed, you cannot use it regardless of VPN or workarounds.

For players in blocked regions, use direct crypto deposit or alternative on-ramps like Ramp or Banxa if available.

Revolut Payment Blocked

Revolut doesn’t allow transactions to Stake or any online gambling merchant. This is a hard block—there’s no workaround through Revolut’s standard interface.

Revolut’s gambling merchant category block

Revolut’s internal rules flag all transactions to MCC 7995 (gambling) and automatically decline them. This applies whether you’re funding MoonPay, paying Stake directly, or any other route. Revolut doesn’t distinguish between poker sites, sports betting, or crypto casinos—all are blocked.

Revolut staff can technically override this, but they rarely do and won’t unless the transaction is legitimate commerce flagged incorrectly. Appealing a gambling block is typically unsuccessful.

Using Revolut to alternative wallets first

The confirmed workaround is: send money from Revolut to a crypto exchange (Kraken, Coinbase, Kucoin) or your own crypto wallet, buy stablecoins if needed, then withdraw to Stake. Revolut doesn’t block transfers to exchanges—the block only triggers on direct Stake transactions.

This adds 1-2 days and usually costs $2-10 in exchange fees, but it’s reliable. Use Polygon network when withdrawing from the exchange to Stake for lowest fees ($0.50-$2).

Switching to non-blocked payment method

Your simplest option is to stop using Revolut for Stake deposits. Use Wise (which allows gambling), your primary bank account, or a crypto-friendly card like Coinbase Card. The time spent working around Revolut’s block isn’t worth the hassle.

MoonPay Integration: Deep Dive

MoonPay powers the majority of Stake deposits globally. Understanding how it works helps you avoid common mistakes and know when to use alternatives.

How MoonPay Works on Stake

The flow is: Stake sends you to MoonPay’s interface → you verify your identity → you enter payment details → your bank/card processes the transaction → MoonPay buys crypto → crypto transfers to your Stake wallet. The entire process takes 5 minutes to 24 hours depending on the payment method.

Required identity verification (KYC)

MoonPay requires your legal name, date of birth, full address, and a government-issued photo ID. The identity verification happens on MoonPay’s servers—Stake doesn’t store your ID. This is legally required for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in most countries where MoonPay operates.

Verification is usually instant if your documents are clear and data matches. Manual verification adds 24+ hours if your submission is unclear or flagged as high-risk.

Payment method options within MoonPay

After identity verification, MoonPay offers card payment, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and bank transfer options depending on your country. Card payments are fastest (crypto in your account within 10 minutes to 2 hours). Bank transfers are slower (1-3 days) but sometimes have higher limits.

Your card’s issuing bank must not block gambling merchants. If it does, the transaction will be declined by your bank, not by MoonPay. Try a different card, use bank transfer, or use an alternative payment method.

Delivery timeframe expectations

Card payments: 10 minutes to 2 hours, with most arriving within 30 minutes if no verification issues. Apple/Google Pay: 5-15 minutes. Bank transfer: 1-3 business days after your bank confirms. Weekend/holiday delays extend these times by 24+ hours.

Common MoonPay Issues & Fixes

Most MoonPay failures fall into three categories: verification rejected, geographic block, or payment method decline. Each has different solutions.

Verification declined – causes and solutions

Common rejection reasons: ID too blurry, face doesn’t match photo clearly, address doesn’t match current government records, or age appears to be under 18. The solution depends on the specific reason.

For photo issues: retake the photo in bright natural light, hold your ID flat and parallel to the camera. For address issues: use your current ID address, not a mailing address. If you’ve recently moved, update your ID first. For age issues: ensure your date of birth is entered correctly—typos are common.

If you’re stuck after two failed attempts, contact MoonPay support through Stake’s chat. Provide a clearer photo or updated address. Most cases are approved after manual review within 24-48 hours.

Geographic restrictions – which countries are blocked

MoonPay operates in 160+ countries but excludes Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea, and various others on OFAC and EU sanctions lists. Certain Asian countries have restrictions. Check the live payment method selector in Stake to confirm your country before attempting verification.

If your country is blocked, use direct cryptocurrency deposit or explore alternative on-ramps like Ramp or Banxa, which may have different regional coverage.

Payment method not supported – alternatives within MoonPay

If your card is declined by MoonPay, try: a different card from a different issuer, Apple Pay or Google Pay (sometimes more permissive than direct card entry), or bank transfer if available in your country.

If all MoonPay payment methods fail, your card issuer or bank is blocking the transaction, not MoonPay. You’ll need to use an alternative bank, get a crypto-friendly card, or use direct crypto deposit.

MoonPay Alternatives When It Fails

If MoonPay is blocked in your country, you don’t have a valid payment method for it, or you just want faster deposits, several alternatives exist.

Direct bank transfer options

Many regions support direct SEPA (Europe), ACH (US), POLi (Australia), or local bank transfer equivalents to Stake. These are slower (1-3 business days) but have higher limits and don’t require MoonPay’s third-party verification. Access the bank transfer option directly in Stake’s deposit menu if available in your country.

Alternative crypto on-ramps (Ramp, Banxa)

Ramp and Banxa are MoonPay competitors integrated with some platforms. Ramp operates in 170+ countries and emphasizes privacy. Banxa is strong in Asia-Pacific regions. If Stake integrates either, try them through Stake’s payment selector.

If not integrated with Stake, use them on a different crypto exchange, buy stablecoins, then withdraw to Stake on a low-fee network like Polygon ($0.50-$2 withdrawal fee).

Using existing crypto holdings as workaround

If you already own crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, etc.) in any wallet or exchange, the fastest deposit method is simply transferring it directly to Stake. Skip fiat on-ramps entirely and deposit crypto from your existing holdings.

For lowest fees, use stablecoins on Polygon network. Most exchanges allow Polygon withdrawals at minimal cost. Send to Stake within 1-2 minutes for under $1.

Revolut & Bank Payment Blocks: Why It Happens

Revolut, traditional banks, and some payment processors block gambling transactions for regulatory, reputational, or risk management reasons. Understanding the block’s source helps you find workarounds.

Why Revolut Blocks Stake Payments

Revolut blocks all transactions to online gambling merchants, not just Stake. This is a business policy choice, not a legal requirement. Revolut’s stated reasoning is customer protection and risk management—they consider online gambling high-risk for fraud, chargeback, and problem gambling.

Revolut is a regulated payment institution, and gambling is a politically sensitive category for fintech companies seeking banking partnerships and regulatory approval. Their block is easier to defend to regulators than allowing it.

Gambling merchant category code (MCC 7995)

All online gambling merchants (poker rooms, casinos, sports betting) are assigned merchant category code 7995 by card networks and payment processors. Revolut’s system scans every transaction’s merchant code and declines anything tagged as 7995.

This is why the block is universal and unavoidable—it’s encoded into Revolut’s payment infrastructure. Even if you contact Revolut support, they cannot override a 7995 block without violating their own compliance policies.

Revolut’s current policy on gambling

As of 2025, Revolut’s gambling block is total and global. There are no exceptions, no regions where it’s lifted, and no workarounds through Revolut’s direct payment system. This policy has been in place for several years and Revolut has shown no signs of changing it.

Revolut users who want to gamble must use intermediary methods: funding a crypto exchange or wallet first, then withdrawing crypto to Stake.

Verification of current blocking status

If you’re unsure whether Revolut will accept your deposit, test it with a small transaction before trying a larger amount. Revolut will decline it immediately and won’t charge you. This is safer than getting deep into MoonPay’s verification and then having Revolut decline at the last step.

Bank-Level Blocks & Compliance

Sometimes Revolut isn’t the only blocker—your underlying bank may also block gambling transactions. This is separate from Revolut’s policy and harder to work around because it’s happening at the issuing bank level.

Identify if block is bank or MoonPay level

If you’re using a traditional bank card (Visa/Mastercard from Chase, Barclays, etc.), your bank has final say over whether the transaction is allowed. Even if MoonPay or Stake would accept it, your bank can decline it at the authorization stage.

Try using the card with a non-gambling merchant first (any online purchase) to confirm the card works. If it works elsewhere but fails on Stake/MoonPay, the block is likely at the bank level, not Stake’s.

Contact bank to understand restrictions

Call your bank’s support line and ask whether they block gambling transactions. Some banks have an explicit gambling block; others block the merchant only if the transactions themselves appear risky (high velocity, high value).

If your bank has a blanket gambling block, ask if you can change it or request an exception for a specific transaction. Some banks will allow it after you confirm verbally. Others refuse. This depends entirely on your bank’s policies.

Options to override or work around

If your bank blocks gambling: (1) contact them and request an exception, (2) use a different bank account or debit card, (3) use a crypto-friendly alternative bank (typically online banks or neobanks have more permissive policies), or (4) avoid card payments entirely and use direct crypto deposits instead.

Workarounds for Payment Blocks

There are three proven methods to get money to Stake when your primary payment method is blocked.

Crypto on-ramp then transfer method

Fund a crypto exchange or on-ramp (Kraken, Coinbase, Binance, Ramp) with your blocked card/bank account. The block won’t trigger because you’re buying crypto, not depositing to a gambling site. Then withdraw that crypto to Stake.

Processing time: 1-2 days total (exchange deposit + withdrawal). Cost: $2-10 in exchange fees plus network fees. This is the most reliable workaround.

Using business/alternative card products

Some users report success with business credit cards, corporate cards, or alternative card products from the same bank that don’t have gambling blocks. This works intermittently and varies by bank.

Ask your bank if they offer alternative card products. Even if they do, there’s no guarantee they won’t also be blocked. Test with a small transaction first.

Payment providers that don’t block gambling

Wise generally allows gambling transactions globally. Traditional bank wire transfers (if available in your country) typically aren’t blocked because they involve bank-to-bank communication, not card network processing. Some local payment methods (iDEAL in Netherlands, Paysafecard in Europe) are also permissive.

Check Stake’s live payment method selector to see what’s available in your region. Priority order: direct crypto > Wise/bank transfer > alternative cards > MoonPay alternatives.

Alternative Crypto Payment Methods

Crypto is the fastest, cheapest, and most censorship-resistant way to deposit on Stake. If you already hold crypto, direct deposit bypasses all the payment gateway complexity entirely.

Cryptocurrency Payment Methods Explained

Stake accepts Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), stablecoins (USDT, USDC, DAI), Litecoin (LTC), and asset variety depends on market liquidity. Stablecoins are preferred by most players because they eliminate price volatility—your $100 USDT will always be worth approximately $100.

Which cryptocurrencies Stake accepts

Primary options: Bitcoin (store of value, slowest deposits), Ethereum (fast, popular), USDT (fastest on Polygon, lowest fees), USDC (similar to USDT, emerging). Secondary options available include Litecoin, other stablecoins, and occasionally emerging assets.

Check Stake’s live deposit page to see the current list of accepted assets. Most players use USDT on Polygon for speed and cost: deposits confirm in 1-2 minutes for under $1 in fees.

Stablecoins vs volatile crypto for deposits

Use stablecoins (USDT, USDC) for deposits. Bitcoin and Ethereum fluctuate; you might deposit $100 worth and it becomes $98 or $102 by the time you’re done playing. Stablecoins are worth approximately $1.00 always, eliminating this uncertainty.

Exception: if you plan to hold your deposit for gambling over several days/weeks, you might prefer Bitcoin or Ethereum. The trade-off is slower deposits and lower price certainty.

Network selection (Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, etc.)

For stablecoins, always choose Polygon for lowest fees and fastest deposits. For Bitcoin or Ethereum native coins, you must use their main networks (no Polygon equivalent exists). Network choice matters hugely for fees and speed.

Cost comparison for $100 USDT: Polygon ~$0.50, Ethereum ~$8-15, Arbitrum ~$0.30. Speed comparison: Polygon 1-2 min, Ethereum 15+ min, Arbitrum 3-5 min. Use Polygon unless you specifically need different networks.

Cryptocurrency Debit Cards & Token Payment Solutions

If you don’t have crypto but want to avoid payment processor blocks, crypto debit cards let you convert fiat to a card instantly via an app, then use that card on Stake without triggering gambling blocks (in most cases).

Top crypto card providers (Coinbase, Crypto.com, BitPay)

Coinbase Card (US, UK, select EU): instant card issuance via app, converts Bitcoin/Ethereum/USDC to fiat at checkout. Crypto.com Visa (global): metal card, rewards in CRO token. BitPay Card (select regions): Bitcoin-backed card, strong in US.

All three offer instant virtual cards that can be used immediately. Coinbase and Crypto.com charge no membership fee for basic tier. BitPay charges a small annual fee in some regions.

How crypto cards work for fiat purchases

Link your crypto holding to the card app → set up the card in Apple/Google Pay or use the virtual card number → spend normally → the app converts crypto to fiat at current rates during transactions. The merchant sees a regular card transaction, not a crypto payment.

From Stake’s perspective, these cards appear as standard Visa or Mastercard. Some are declined if the card issuer has gambling blocks, but many (especially Coinbase) are approved where traditional banks fail.

Fees and limits comparison

Coinbase Card: 2% cash-back on purchases (no deposit fee). Crypto.com: 1-5% cash-back depending on tier (no deposit fee). BitPay: 0-1% depending on region (potential annual fee). Limits vary by provider: typically $1,000-$5,000 per day for new users, increasing with account age and verification.

These cards are more expensive than direct crypto deposits (1-2% vs $0.50 network fee) but sidestep payment processor blocks entirely.

Blockchain & DeFi Payment Routes

Advanced users can acquire deposit currencies through decentralized exchanges (DEX), peer-to-peer exchanges, or cross-chain bridges if they already hold non-supported assets.

DEX swaps to acquire stablecoins

If you hold any Ethereum-based token but not USDT/USDC, use Uniswap, 1Inch, or another DEX to swap it for USDT on Polygon network. No intermediary required—you swap directly in your wallet.

Steps: (1) connect wallet to Uniswap/1Inch, (2) select your token input and USDT output, (3) review fees (typically 0.3-0.5%), (4) execute swap. USDT arrives in your wallet within 1 minute. Total cost: $1-3 in Polygon gas fees.

P2P crypto exchanges

Platforms like LocalBitcoins or Bisq let you buy crypto directly from individuals peer-to-peer. These are slower (require finding a seller, completing handshake) but useful if you need crypto in a region where centralized exchanges are unavailable.

Not recommended for urgent Stake deposits—they take hours to days and carry counterparty risk. Use centralized exchanges or direct deposits instead.

Cross-chain bridges for multichain access

If you hold USDT on a network Stake doesn’t accept (e.g., Binance Smart Chain), use a cross-chain bridge like Stargate, Synapse, or Multichain to convert it to Polygon network. Then deposit to Stake.

This is advanced and carries bridge risk. Simpler approach: swap on DEX directly to Polygon USDT instead of using a bridge.

Understanding Blockchain Transactions on Stake

When you deposit crypto to Stake, your transaction enters a public blockchain network where it must be confirmed by miners/validators before Stake’s wallet receives it. Understanding this process helps you diagnose stuck deposits.

Blockchain Transaction Status: What Does Pending Mean?

When you send crypto to Stake, your wallet creates a transaction and broadcasts it to the network. It enters the “mempool” (pending transaction pool) where miners see it. Once a miner includes it in a new block, it becomes “confirmed.” Several blocks later (usually 3-6), it’s finalized and Stake credits your account.

Pending transaction definition

“Pending” means the transaction has been broadcast to the network and miners have seen it, but it hasn’t been included in a mined block yet. During normal network conditions, pending transactions become confirmed within 15-60 seconds (Bitcoin) or 12-30 seconds (Ethereum). During extreme congestion, pending can last hours.

The reason: if your transaction’s gas fee is too low, miners prioritise higher-fee transactions first. Your transaction sits in mempool waiting for the network to clear enough higher-fee transactions to reach yours.

Why transactions stay pending

Low gas fee, network congestion, or misconfiguration. On Bitcoin, if your fee is below the current network minimum (usually $5-20), you might stay pending for days. On Ethereum, if you set gas too low, same problem. On Polygon, fees are so cheap (under $1) that pending is rare unless the network is genuinely congested (extremely rare).

Solution: if you’re stuck pending, you can replace your transaction with a higher-fee version using the same wallet’s “speed up” or “replace” feature. This costs extra but moves you to the front of the queue.

Typical duration per blockchain

Bitcoin: 10-60 minutes average (pending 5+ minutes if low fee). Ethereum: 12-30 seconds on good days, 5+ minutes during congestion. Polygon: 1-2 seconds (finalized). Arbitrum: 3-5 seconds. Litecoin: 2-5 minutes.

Stake typically waits for 3-6 confirmations after your transaction mines before crediting your account. On Polygon, this adds 3-12 seconds. On Ethereum, this adds 15-30 minutes. On Bitcoin, this adds 30-60 minutes.

How to Track Deposit on Blockchain Explorer

You can verify your transaction is truly confirmed by checking a blockchain explorer. This takes 30 seconds and removes all doubt about whether you need to contact support.

Finding your transaction hash

Your transaction hash (also called “tx hash” or “transaction ID”) is a unique identifier visible in: (1) your wallet’s transaction history, (2) your email confirmation from the exchange you withdrew from, (3) Stake’s pending deposits list (if they show it). Copy the full hash (should be 66 characters starting with 0x for Ethereum/Polygon).

If you can’t find it in Stake, go to your sending wallet/exchange and find the transaction in your history. Most wallets and exchanges let you click transactions to view details.

Interpreting transaction details

Visit Etherscan.io (Ethereum), Polygonscan.io (Polygon), or the relevant blockchain explorer. Paste your transaction hash in the search box. You’ll see:

Status: “Success” = confirmed and finalized. “Pending” = still waiting. “Failed” = transaction didn’t execute (you need to retry).

Confirmations: number shown (e.g., “6 confirmations”) means 6 blocks have been mined after your transaction. Stake usually waits for 3-6. If it shows 10+, Stake should have already credited it—contact support if it hasn’t.

From/To: verify your wallet address is sending to the correct Stake deposit address. Mismatched addresses are a common user error that results in lost funds.

Understanding gas fees and transaction cost

The explorer shows “Gas Used” and “Gas Price,” which together equal your network fee. Example: 21,000 Gas × 50 Gwei = 1.05 Billion Gwei = 0.00105 ETH = $2-3 depending on ETH price.

Gas fees on Ethereum are expensive; on Polygon, they’re under $1; on Arbitrum, under $0.20. This is why network choice matters. Higher gas fees don’t speed up transactions on the same network—you already paid your fee when you sent the transaction.

Fixing Stuck or Failed Blockchain Transactions

If your transaction has been pending for too long or shows failed, you have options depending on the failure type.

Low gas price causing delays

If your transaction has been pending for 30+ minutes, your gas fee was likely set too low. Using your wallet’s “speed up” or “replace” feature, you can resubmit the same transaction with a higher gas fee. This moves you to the front of the queue.

Expect to pay 1.5-2x your original gas fee, but your transaction will confirm within the next 1-5 minutes. Example: you sent USDT with $0.50 gas fee but it’s been pending 1 hour. Resubmit with $0.75-$1.00 gas fee and it confirms immediately.

Replacing or canceling transactions

If you realise you sent to the wrong address or sent the wrong amount, you can replace the transaction before it confirms by sending a 0-value transaction to yourself with a much higher gas fee. This effectively cancels the original transaction (users call this “nonce replacement”).

Steps: (1) in your wallet, send 0 ETH/MATIC/BTC to yourself, (2) set the same nonce as your pending transaction, (3) set gas fee 2-3x higher, (4) send. Your wallet will execute this cancellation transaction first, orphaning your original one.

This only works if your original transaction is still pending on the blockchain. If it has already confirmed, you cannot cancel it—you’d need to send a second transaction reversing the payment, which is only possible if it’s a smart contract (and Stake is just a wallet address, not a reversible smart contract).

When to contact Stake support with tx hash

Contact Stake if: (1) your transaction shows “Confirmed” or “Success” on the blockchain for 2+ hours and hasn’t appeared in your account, (2) your transaction shows “Failed” and you don’t know why, or (3) you sent to an address and the funds seem lost.

Always provide: the transaction hash (full 66-character string), the amount sent, your Stake account username, and a screenshot from the blockchain explorer showing the transaction details. Stake support responds within 24-48 hours and can manually credit your account if processing error occurred.

Crypto Exchange Deposit Methods: Binance & Competitors

If you use Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, or another exchange, you might wonder how to move money to Stake or whether it’s different from depositing on the exchange itself.

How Stake Deposits Differ from Exchange Deposits

Exchange deposits are internal transfers between your exchange account and a withdrawal address (yours or someone else’s). There’s no KYC verification during the transaction itself because you already passed KYC to open the exchange account.

Stake deposits work similarly once you control the crypto. But if you’re buying crypto for the first time on an exchange before sending to Stake, you’ll hit KYC verification and payment processing just like any fiat on-ramp.

Verification requirements on Stake vs exchanges

Most exchanges require KYC to withdraw crypto: verify identity before you’re allowed to send coins to external addresses. Stake also requires basic verification (email + jurisdiction check) before your first deposit posts.

Experienced exchange users often think Stake’s verification is lighter because of the simpler interface, but it’s there. Enhanced verification (ID scan) may be required later if Stake flags your account.

Deposit fee structures

Exchanges charge withdrawal fees (0-0.0001 BTC depending on their fee schedule) when you move crypto to external addresses like Stake. Stake charges no deposit fee—you only pay blockchain network fees.

Example: Withdraw 1 USDT from Binance to Stake on Polygon: Binance charges ~$0 (USDT withdrawal is often free), you pay $0.50 network fee. Total cost: $0.50.

Speed and minimum amounts

Exchanges typically allow withdrawals once you hit minimum amounts: 0.0005 BTC (~$20), 0.01 ETH (~$20), 1 USDT (~$1), etc. Stake has similar minimums or even lower. Processing time: 5-30 minutes for exchange to confirm, 10 minutes to 1 hour to appear on blockchain depending on network choice.

Using Exchange Wallets to Fund Stake

The standard flow: deposit fiat to your exchange → buy crypto → withdraw to Stake wallet. The second and third steps are what we cover here.

Optimal networks for low fees (Polygon, Arbitrum)

When withdrawing from Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken to Stake, select Polygon network if available. Withdrawal fees are lowest ($0.50-$2 instead of $8-20 on Ethereum). Processing time is fastest (1-2 minutes instead of 15 minutes).

Arbitrum is another solid choice: fees $0.20-$1, speed 3-5 minutes. Avoid Ethereum mainnet unless you’re transferring large amounts ($5,000+) where Ethereum’s percentage fee matters less.

Exchange withdrawal limits

Exchanges enforce daily/monthly withdrawal limits based on your verification level. New accounts (Level 1 verification, usually email only): $500-$2,000 per day. Level 2 (ID verified): $10,000-$50,000 per day. Limits scale with your account history and success.

If Stake deposit needs exceed your exchange limit, you either wait for the limit to reset (usually daily at 00:00 UTC) or request a limit increase from exchange support.

Minimum amounts and fees for cross-transfer

Binance minimum USDT withdrawal: $1. Coinbase minimum USDT: $2. Kraken minimum USDT: $5. Most exchanges waive fees for stablecoin withdrawals on low-fee networks. Check your exchange’s withdrawal page before initiating.

Total cost example: buy $100 USDT on Binance (0% fee), withdraw to Stake on Polygon (0% exchange fee + $0.50 network fee) = $100.50 total cost. Compare this to MoonPay’s 3-5% fee: $103-105 total cost.

Payment Gateway & Processing Infrastructure

Understanding how payment gateways, processors, and blockchains work together helps you understand why some deposits succeed and others fail.

How Payment Gateways Work

Payment gateways like MoonPay are intermediaries. You give them fiat money → they verify your identity → they acquire crypto → they send it to Stake. The gateway handles all KYC compliance, so Stake doesn’t need to store your ID.

Payment gateway vs blockchain transaction

A payment gateway transaction is your fiat money → crypto conversion, handled off-chain (MoonPay’s internal system). A blockchain transaction is crypto movement on the public ledger (MoonPay’s wallet → Stake’s wallet).

The payment gateway step takes 5 minutes to 2 hours. The blockchain transaction takes 1 second to 1 minute (Polygon). Your total deposit time is payment gateway delay + blockchain confirmation. If MoonPay takes 2 hours and blockchain takes 2 minutes, you’re waiting 2 hours total.

Why verification (KYC) is required

KYC (Know Your Customer) verification is a legal requirement in most countries where MoonPay operates. Regulators require payment processors to verify customer identity to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud.

MoonPay cannot bypass this, and Stake cannot force MoonPay to. Verification is mandatory unless you avoid fiat on-ramps entirely and use only direct crypto deposits.

Processor fees and mark-ups

MoonPay charges 2-5% markup on the crypto you buy through them. This comes from spread (difference between the exchange rate they pay and the rate you see), plus direct fees. Example: Bitcoin is trading at $45,000 on exchanges; MoonPay charges you $46,000 (2.2% markup).

Compare this to direct crypto purchase on an exchange where you might pay 0.1% in fees. MoonPay is significantly more expensive but justified by the convenience and KYC handling they provide.

Blockchain Payment Processing

Once MoonPay has acquired your crypto, the actual transfer to Stake happens on the blockchain. This is where “pending,” “confirmed,” and “finalized” statuses apply.

Network congestion and transaction speed

Bitcoin and Ethereum networks experience congestion during high-volume periods (market crashes, major events). When congestion happens, pending transactions queue up. MoonPay typically uses lower gas fees to minimize costs, so their transactions might stay pending longer during congestion.

Stake has no control over this. The solution: choose Polygon or Arbitrum networks where congestion is virtually impossible. Transactions on these networks confirm in seconds even during peak volume.

Block confirmation requirements

Stake waits for 3-6 block confirmations after your transaction mines before crediting your account. This prevents double-spending attacks (extremely rare but theoretically possible). 3 confirmations is considered cryptographically final on most networks and reduces attack risk from 1-in-billion to 1-in-quadrillion.

Stake’s confirmation wait is security, not slowness. You must wait for it; there’s no way to speed it up.

Stake’s receipt and crediting of funds

Stake’s backend continuously monitors their wallet address for incoming transactions. When a transaction with 3+ confirmations arrives to their address with the correct amount, their system automatically credits it to your account within seconds.

Delays happen if: (1) blockchain confirmations are slow (network congestion), (2) Stake’s monitoring system is temporarily down (extremely rare), or (3) the transaction was sent to the wrong address (irreversible).

FAQ