Payment Gateway Fees in Colombia: Card vs. PSE vs. Stablecoins (2025 Study)

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Jul 3, 2025

Colombia’s digital payments and e-commerce markets have reached a pivotal moment in 2025, reshaping how businesses and consumers move money online. In 2024, Colombia’s e-commerce revenue is projected to reach €7.39 billion, and digital payment users are expected to surpass 28 million by 2029 (Statista, 2024). These trends are fueling urgent questions about payment gateway fees Colombia 2025—and which platforms offer the best value for B2B companies, exporters, fintechs, and merchants.

As digital payment adoption climbs, understanding how cards, PSE, and stablecoins compare on cost, speed, and compliance is now more critical than ever. For businesses seeking to optimize margins and future-proof their payment stack, fee clarity and regulatory adaptation are non-negotiable.

Digital payment adoption increased from 37% in 2017 to 58% in 2024.

Learn more about payment infrastructure options on our Payments page.

Cards and PSE dominate local checkout flows but often carry higher fees and slower settlement windows.
Stablecoins lower costs to under 1% per transaction and clear in minutes, ideal for export-heavy businesses.
Staying compliant with AML/KYC and FX reporting rules is mandatory across all rails.
B2B teams can reduce overhead by leveraging batch payouts and virtual multi-currency accounts.

Understanding the Main Payment Rails: Cards, PSE, and Stablecoins

When it comes to digital payment methods Colombia, three rails dominate the market: cards, PSE (Pagos Seguros en Línea), and stablecoins.

Cards are the classic option, enabling consumers to pay online using credit or debit cards. They’re widely accepted but typically involve higher fees and slower settlement times. Delays can occur due to manual compliance or cross-bank network issues, which are less common with stablecoins.
PSE is a Colombian electronic payment system managed by ACH Colombia, connecting over 80% of local banks for direct bank-to-bank online transfers. PSE accounts for roughly 32% of e-commerce transactions in Colombia, reflecting its local dominance (Mural Pay, 2024).
Stablecoins are blockchain-based digital assets pegged to stable currencies like the US dollar. They offer fast, low-cost cross-border payments and require adherence to AML/KYC standards.

For more definitions and essential terms, consult our glossary of payment terms.

How Much Do Payment Gateways Really Cost in Colombia?

One of the top questions in 2025 is: what are payment gateway fees Colombia 2025 for each method? Below is a comparative snapshot:

	Card Payments	PSE Transfers	Stablecoins
Typical Transaction Fee	3.3%–3.5% + fixed fee	2.65% + fixed fee	0.1%–1%
Settlement Time	2–5 business days	2–5 business days	Minutes
FX/Hidden Fees	~5.9% avg. (cross-border)	Usually lower; VAT may apply	Minimal

For comparison, SWIFT transfers often incur 3–5% in fees, higher than all local rails.

Fee transparency is a critical issue for Colombian merchants. Industry-wide, increased transparency is proven to help merchants manage costs and make informed choices, as seen with real-time payment systems in Latin America that reduce hidden costs (GlobeNewswire, 2025).

Batch payments can also save operational overhead for businesses with high-volume payouts.

For a detailed breakdown, see our study on payment gateway fees.

PSE vs. Card Payments: Which Is Cheaper and Safer for Merchants?

Many Colombian merchants debate whether to prioritize PSE or card payments for online transactions. On average, PSE transaction costs Colombia are lower, with providers like Wompi charging around 2.65% + COP 700 per transaction, while credit card processing typically runs 3.3%–3.5% plus a fixed fee (Gulupa Digital, 2024).

PSE’s broad integration with Colombian banks makes it a staple for local e-commerce.

Merchants should always check if VAT or additional costs are included in gateway fees.

However, security concerns persist. Card-not-present fraud has risen by 30% year-over-year, increasing risks for merchants who rely on traditional card payments (Mural Pay, 2024).

PSE, by connecting directly to banks, can offer a more secure alternative.

Read our deep dive on PSE vs. card fees for more insights.

Why Stablecoins Are Gaining Ground in Colombia’s Payment Ecosystem

Stablecoins are rapidly emerging as a compelling alternative to traditional rails for cross-border and B2B payments. While precise stablecoin adoption in Colombia numbers are scarce, there’s clear momentum in the region: Latin America surpassed 55 million cryptocurrency users in 2024, and regulatory frameworks such as Colombia’s Open Finance Decree are paving the way for digital asset integration (GlobeNewswire, 2025; Wikipedia, 2024).

Stablecoins stand out for:

Low fees: Typically 0.1%–1% per transaction, compared to 2–5% for cards or international wires.
Settlement speed: Funds clear in minutes, not days.
On-chain transparency and compliance: AML/KYC requirements and blockchain traceability.
Stablecoins help exporters hedge against Colombian peso volatility.

On-chain payment audit trails make regulatory reporting easier for compliance teams.

For more, see our guide to stablecoin pay-ins vs. pay-outs.

Implementing Stablecoin Payments With Your Gateway

For merchants evaluating a stablecoin payment gateway in Colombia, integration often starts with mapping existing checkout flows to an API-first provider like Mural Pay. Businesses can pilot USDC pay-ins alongside cards and PSE, then expand to multi-currency pay-outs once internal reconciliation processes are aligned.

Key considerations include wallet custody, on/off-ramp availability, and role-based permissions for finance staff. A sandbox environment lets teams validate payouts, webhooks, and FX conversion logic before moving to production—usually in a matter of hours rather than weeks.

Real-World Results: How Colombian Businesses Are Cutting Payment Costs

Across Latin America, businesses are increasingly switching to stablecoins to cut costs and speed up operations. While Colombia-specific testimonials are limited, industry data shows that cryptocurrency use has doubled, with over 55 million users region-wide in 2024 (GlobeNewswire, 2025).

An Argentina-based agency reduced payout costs and time by 70% after switching to batch USDC payments.

This region-wide adoption signals a shift: cost savings, near-instant settlement, and reduced reliance on costly intermediaries are now within reach for Colombian merchants.

Discover more Colombian stablecoin case studies.

Compliance, Regulation, and Security: What Every Business Needs to Know

Navigating Colombian regulations is crucial for businesses using any payment rail. All payment processors must comply with AML and KYC rules, and businesses are required to accurately report all foreign exchange transactions via the SIC platform (Wikipedia, 2024).

The country’s Open Finance Decree and regulatory sandbox initiatives are setting new standards for compliance and innovation.

Businesses should also monitor guidance from the Superintendencia Financiera, as new pilot programs and sandboxes are expected to launch.

Key takeaway: Staying current with compliance requirements is essential for avoiding penalties and gaining access to new digital payment solutions, including stablecoins.

For compliance checklists, visit our Colombian cross-border payment compliance guide.

The Future of Payment Gateways in Colombia: Trends to Watch in 2025

The digital wallet and prepaid card market in Colombia is forecast to grow by 9.9% annually, reaching $4.6 billion in 2025, and is expected to continue expanding at a CAGR of 8.2% through 2029 (GlobeNewswire, 2025).

The momentum in digital wallet adoption, combined with regulatory progress on open finance, sets the stage for further stablecoin integration and new payment solutions.

Fintech innovation is set to reduce operational overhead and further speed up settlements.

Explore our API-first payments outlook for more on this changing landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions: Payment Gateway Fees in Colombia

Are stablecoin payments legal in Colombia?

Yes, stablecoin payments are permissible as long as businesses comply with AML, KYC, and FX reporting requirements (Wikipedia, 2024).

What are the typical transaction fees for cards, PSE, and stablecoins?

Card fees average 3.3%–3.5% plus a fixed fee, PSE fees are typically 2.65% plus a small fixed fee, and stablecoins generally range from 0.1%–1% per transaction (Gulupa Digital, 2024).