Bitcoin Remittance Savings Calculator

Sending money home to family in Asia? See exactly how much you save using Bitcoin Lightning or stablecoins instead of banks and Western Union — across the busiest OFW and migrant corridors.

Quick Answer

Traditional remittances to Asia cost about 6% on average (Japan→Philippines reaches ~5.9%), while Bitcoin Lightning and stablecoins cost under 1%. On a $500 monthly transfer that is roughly $25–35 saved every month — $300–420 a year. Use the calculator below for your exact corridor.

Calculate your savings

You could save
per year vs traditional transfer
Traditional fee
Bitcoin Lightning fee
Saved per transfer

Bitcoin/Lightning cost assumed at ~1% all-in (network fee + on/off-ramp spread). Traditional fees from World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide averages. Illustrative — actual costs vary by provider and amount.

Remittance corridor cost comparison (2026)

Asia is home to the world's largest remittance flows — and some of its most expensive corridors. Here is how traditional fees compare to Bitcoin Lightning across the busiest routes:

CorridorTraditional feeBitcoin LightningSavings on $1,000
Start receiving near-free transfers

Wallet of Satoshi and Strike let family receive Bitcoin over Lightning in seconds. Cash out via a licensed local exchange.

Read the full remittance guide →
💡 How the savings happen: instead of a bank or money transfer operator taking a percentage and an FX margin, the sender buys Bitcoin, sends it over the Lightning Network (fees of a few cents), and the recipient cashes out to local currency through a licensed app. The only real costs are the buy/sell spread — typically well under 1% combined.

Frequently asked questions

How much cheaper is Bitcoin for remittances in Asia?
Traditional remittances to Asia average about 6% in fees, and expensive corridors like Japan to the Philippines reach roughly 5.9%. Bitcoin Lightning or stablecoin transfers typically cost under 1% all-in, so on a $500 monthly transfer you can save $25 to $35 a month, or $300 to $420 a year.
What is the cheapest way to send money to the Philippines?
For Filipino OFWs, Bitcoin Lightning wallets such as Wallet of Satoshi or Strike, and peso stablecoins via Coins.ph and GCash, settle in seconds for a fraction of a percent, versus 4 to 6 percent through Western Union and banks. Always cash out through a BSP-licensed platform.
Is sending money with Bitcoin legal in Asia?
Receiving Bitcoin or stablecoins and cashing out through a licensed local exchange is permitted in most Asian markets including the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Japan and the UAE. Rules vary, so use regulated on and off ramps and keep records for tax.