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You are sure your clients have paid you through Crane. But you’re yet to see “alert.” We understand your frustration—delayed crypto transactions are annoying! We know you expect a swift transfer, but that’s not always true. This piece, however, will explain why your “alert” may pend on Crane. Walk with me.

How fast are cryptocurrency transactions?

Before explaining the factors that delay transactions, let’s clear the air on the expected speed of cryptocurrency transfers on the blockchain.

CryptocurrencyEstimated time (in minutes)
Bitcoin40
Ethereum (Ethereum Network)14
Ethereum (Arbitrum Nova Network)25
Ethereum (Optimism Network)90
Ethereum (zkSync Era Network)1,440
Tether USD (Optimism Network)90
Tether USD (Solana Network)Near-instant
Table 1.0: The average transaction speed of selected cryptocurrencies. Source: Statista

Why is my transaction pending on Crane?

1. Jammed network

No single entity controls the blockchain, the digital block-like registry that powers cryptocurrency transactions. But it isn’t immune to fatigue. Why? Each block in the blockchain has limited data it can hold. Once the block reaches the limit, usually because of high activity, transaction delays are inevitable.

2. Low transaction fees

In traditional finance, a centralized body, like the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), provides the infrastructure for completing inter-bank transfers.

In cryptocurrency, decentralised entities (miners) validate and add new transactions to the blockchain. Miners prioritise transactions with higher fees than those with lower charges. The simple reason is reward. High transaction fees equal more money for miners, while the opposite is true for low transaction fees.

What does that mean for you? If you want a fast deal, pay a high transaction fee (miners will confirm it on the block faster). If you’re not in a hurry, pay a low transaction fee and wait. If your transaction takes longer than necessary on Crane, it’s likely because the sender paid a low charge.

3. Different confirmation times

Take a second look at the table (Table 1.0). You should notice different virtual currencies have distinct confirmation times, depending on the network they operate on. For instance, Ethereum on the Ethereum Network completes in ~14 minutes, while it takes 90 minutes on the Optimism Network. The same currency yet different speed.

The crux of the comparison is that your transaction may drag a little more than you’d like because of the type of crypto and network you’re dealing with. For optimal payment remittance on Crane, ensure your client or business partner uses a network type with a history of swift transaction completion.

How to track the status of Bitcoin (BTC) sent to your Crane wallet

We understand that no one likes to be left in the dark about the whereabouts of their money. To track the status of incoming Bitcoin (BTC) sent to your Crane wallet, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Visit the Blockchain Explorer website via www.blockchain.com/explorer.

Step 2: Click the search icon, and copy and paste your wallet address on the search bar.

Step 3: Click on BTC Address.

Step 4: The result will display your wallet transaction history, which will show the status of your transaction.

  • The transaction is still processing on the blockchain if it shows the sign highlighted in the image below.

If your deposit is confirmed in the blockchain but you still haven’t received it, contact us with your deposit info to help you resolve the issue. The information you need to provide is listed below:

  • Amount of deposit
  • Your Crane wallet address
  • Transaction Hash ID
  • A screenshot of the transaction

Contact us at [email protected], Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). You can also reach us through the in-app support on Crane. The app is available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store