On-ramp

An on-ramp is a service or process that lets a person convert traditional money, or fiat, into cryptocurrency. Typical on-ramps include exchanges, brokers, and payment providers that accept bank transfers, cards, or other fiat methods and deliver crypto to a user’s account or wallet. On-ramps usually require identity verification to meet regulatory obligations, and the term describes the entry point into the crypto system, not any particular coin.

A common misconception is that on-ramps are instant and fee-free; in reality processing times, limits, and charges vary by provider, region, and payment method, and availability depends on local rules.