Everything you need to know about gas fees in the blockchain

Understanding Network Fees

Network fees, also known as gas fees, represent a small amount paid when using a blockchain. These fees are comparable to service or processing fees.

Each blockchain requires the payment of these fees to process a transaction. For example, on some popular chains, you pay with the native cryptocurrency of that chain.

These fees can be compared to a toll road: you are using shared infrastructure, and a small amount is needed to keep the network operational.

Why pay network fees?

Blockchains operate in a decentralized manner, without a central server. Thousands of independent computers, called validators, collaborate to process transactions and secure the network.

Network fees serve as a reward to these validators for including your transaction on the blockchain.

It is important to note that these fees are paid directly to the blockchain network and not to a centralized entity.

Determination of Fee Amount

Network fees are determined by the network itself. They are dynamic and fluctuate based on demand. During periods of high activity, fees may increase, and vice versa.

Your digital wallet will automatically calculate the optimal fees based on network conditions.

What to do in case of a gas token shortage?

If you do not have enough gas tokens, your transaction will not be executed. You can resolve this issue in several ways: transfer gas tokens from an exchange platform, use tokens from your main wallet (for certain specific chains), receive gas tokens from another wallet, or simply purchase tokens with a credit card.

Fluctuations of gas fees

Gas fees are not fixed. They depend on network activity. For EVM-type blockchains and Solana, when user activity increases and saturates the network, users propose higher fees to be prioritized, which causes the gas price to rise. Conversely, when activity decreases, fees also drop.

Specific Features of Certain Networks

Some networks use a different system based on resources, such as bandwidth and energy. In these cases, the contract creator may cover part of the cost, free resources may be offered daily, and staking or renting of resources is also possible. If resources are insufficient, native tokens may be burned to pay for the transaction. This is why fees can vary significantly from one transaction to another on these networks.