In short
Crypto payments need a certain number of blockchain confirmations before your order is marked as paid - this can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the network.
The most common reasons for slow confirmations are network congestion, a low transaction fee set by your wallet, or high traffic on the blockchain at the time of payment.
Once your payment reaches the required number of confirmations, your order will be processed automatically and your gift card code will be delivered.
Common causes and fixes
The blockchain network is congested
Why this happens: When a lot of people are sending crypto at the same time, transactions queue up and those with higher fees get processed first.
How to fix it:
Check the current network status using a blockchain explorer (e.g. mempool.space for Bitcoin, etherscan.io for Ethereum).
If your transaction is already broadcast, you can only wait - it will confirm once the network clears.
Next time, choose a higher fee in your wallet settings during busy periods to speed things up.
Your wallet set a low transaction fee
Why this happens: Some wallets default to the lowest possible fee to save you money, but this means miners or validators process your transaction last.
How to fix it:
Check your wallet's fee settings and switch to "medium" or "fast" for time-sensitive payments.
If the transaction is already sent and stuck, some wallets support Replace-By-Fee (RBF) or Child-Pays-For-Parent (CPFP) - check your wallet's documentation for these options.
If neither is available, you will need to wait for the transaction to confirm or drop from the mempool.
The payment invoice expired before the transaction confirmed
Why this happens: CoinGate payment invoices are time-limited. If your transaction was broadcast but not confirmed before the invoice expired, the system may not automatically link it to your order.
How to fix it:
Do not create a new order or send another payment.
Contact CoinGate Gift Cards support with your transaction ID (TXID) and order number.
Our team will manually verify the payment and process your order once it confirms on the blockchain.
You sent the payment from an exchange with slow withdrawal processing
Why this happens: Some exchanges batch withdrawals and process them every few hours, not instantly.
How to fix it:
Check your exchange's withdrawal history to confirm the transaction has actually been broadcast to the network.
If it hasn't been broadcast yet, contact your exchange's support to expedite it.
For future purchases, send crypto directly from a self-custody wallet for faster processing.
Important: Always check that your transaction has been broadcast to the blockchain before contacting support. A pending withdrawal on an exchange is not the same as a confirmed blockchain transaction.
Frequently asked questions
How many confirmations does CoinGate require for crypto payments?
The number of required confirmations varies by cryptocurrency - Bitcoin typically requires 1-3 confirmations, while other coins may require more or fewer. You can see the required confirmations on your payment invoice page.
How long does a Bitcoin payment confirmation take?
A Bitcoin confirmation typically takes 10-30 minutes when the network is not congested. During busy periods, it can take several hours if your transaction fee was set too low.
Will my order be cancelled if my crypto payment is slow?
If your payment invoice expires but the transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, contact our support team with your TXID and order number - we will process your order manually.
Can I speed up a crypto payment that is already sent?
If your wallet supports Replace-By-Fee (RBF) or Child-Pays-For-Parent (CPFP), you may be able to boost the fee after sending. Otherwise, you will need to wait for the transaction to confirm naturally.
What should I do if my payment confirmed but my order is still pending?
Wait a few minutes after the final confirmation, then refresh your order page. If it's still pending after 15 minutes, contact our support team with your transaction ID and order number.