Is sending USDC really cheaper than Western Union or Wise?▼
Often yes, especially for amounts above $200. Traditional remittance services charge 4-8% on US-to-Philippines transfers when you account for both fees and exchange-rate markup. Crypto rails (USDC on Polygon or Base, off-ramped to GCash) typically cost 1-2.5% all-in. Below $100, traditional services may be more competitive because crypto's network fees become a larger percentage of the total. Always compare the final PHP amount you receive — not the headline fee.
Which network should I use to send USDC?▼
For amounts under $5,000, Polygon or Base are the best choice — network fees are typically $0.10-0.50 and confirmation is under a minute. Ethereum mainnet should generally be avoided unless the recipient exchange doesn't support L2s (rare in 2025). Solana is also competitive but supported by fewer Philippine-facing exchanges. Always verify the exchange supports your chosen network before sending — sending USDC on the wrong network can result in lost funds.
How quickly does the recipient get the money?▼
GCash and Maya credits are typically instant (under 30 seconds) once the on-chain deposit confirms. Bank transfers via InstaPay are near-instant during business hours; PESONet transfers settle same-day if initiated before cutoff (around 4pm Manila time). Cash pickup at 7-Eleven or remittance kiosks is usually available within 15 minutes of the exchange marking the order complete.
Is this comparison ordered by commission?▼
No. opta is independently audited and ranks results purely by total cost to the recipient. We do not accept commissions from exchanges to influence ranking. Any sponsored placements (when they exist) are clearly labeled as 'Ad' and shown separately from the organic comparison. The methodology page contains the full ranking SQL for anyone who wants to verify.
Are there sending limits I should know about?▼
Yes — limits depend on the exchange and the recipient's KYC tier. Most Philippine-licensed platforms (Coins.ph, Maya, PDAX) cap unverified accounts at ₱50,000/month and increase to ₱500,000/month or higher with full KYC. GCash has its own receiving limits that vary by user tier. For transfers above $5,000 (~₱280,000), you may need to split the transaction across multiple days or pre-arrange a higher limit with your exchange.
What if I send to the wrong GCash number or bank account?▼
Most Philippine off-ramps verify the recipient's name against the GCash or bank account before crediting. If there's a name mismatch or the destination is invalid, the exchange typically holds the funds and contacts you to resolve. Always double-check the destination details before confirming the order — a successful crypto deposit cannot be reversed if the off-ramp instruction is wrong.