Sources & further reading
These are primary sources, established data vendors, or canonical specifications we referenced or cross-checked while writing this page.
- Electrum documentation — Canonical docs for one of the longest-running Bitcoin wallets — useful reference for self-custody concepts.
- Ledger Academy — wallet security — Primary educational source from a leading hardware wallet maker.
- Bitcoin.org — how to secure your wallet — Foundational self-custody guidance.
- CoinGecko — Reference source for crypto price and market-cap data.
Gas Fee Tracker
Track current gas fees across major blockchain networks. Use this tool to find the cheapest time and network for your transactions.
Ethereum
ETHPolygon
MATICArbitrum
ETHOptimism
ETHBase
ETHBNB Chain
BNBAvalanche
AVAXSolana
SOLTransaction Cost Comparison
We evaluate wallet security by examining the code, the team, the supply chain, and the recovery options. Marketing claims get zero weight.
| Network | Simple Transfer | Token Swap | NFT Mint | Block Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum | $1.50 - $8 | $5 - $25 | $8 - $40 | ~12 sec |
| Polygon | $0.001 | $0.01 | $0.02 | ~2 sec |
| Arbitrum | $0.05 | $0.15 | $0.20 | ~0.25 sec |
| Optimism | $0.03 | $0.10 | $0.15 | ~2 sec |
| Base | $0.005 | $0.02 | $0.03 | ~2 sec |
| BNB Chain | $0.03 | $0.10 | $0.15 | ~3 sec |
| Solana | $0.0001 | $0.001 | $0.002 | ~0.4 sec |
* Costs are estimates based on typical network conditions. Actual costs vary with network congestion and token prices.
Tips to Save on Gas Fees
Use Layer 2 Networks
Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base offer the same Ethereum security at a fraction of the cost. Bridge your assets to L2 and save 90-99% on transaction fees.
Time Your Transactions
Ethereum gas fees are lowest during weekends and off-peak hours (UTC late night). Non-urgent transactions can save 50% or more by waiting for low-fee periods.
Batch Transactions
If you need to make multiple transactions, batch them into a single transaction using tools like Safe's transaction builder to pay gas only once.
Set Custom Gas Limits
Most wallets let you set custom gas prices. For non-urgent transactions, set a lower gas price and wait for the network to process it during a quieter period.