A Guide to ACH, Wire, and Stablecoin Transfers

Moving money shouldn't require a finance degree. This guide breaks down the three main transfer methods available on Nano Wallet and helps you choose the right one for each situation.

ACH Transfers

ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the backbone of U.S. domestic payments. When you set up direct deposit, pay a utility bill, or transfer money between bank accounts, you're probably using ACH.

**How it works on Nano Wallet:** You link an external bank account by providing your routing and account numbers (or by logging in through Plaid). Once verified, you can pull funds into your Nano account or push funds out. Incoming ACH transfers typically settle in 1 to 2 business days. Outgoing transfers take 1 to 3 business days depending on the receiving bank.

**Costs:** ACH transfers on Nano Wallet are free for all plan tiers. There are no per-transaction fees, no monthly limits on the number of transfers, and no minimum amounts.

**Best for:** Regular deposits, payroll, recurring transfers, and moving money between your own accounts. ACH is ideal when speed isn't critical and you want to avoid fees.

**Limits:** Standard accounts can transfer up to $25,000 per day via ACH. Premium accounts have a $100,000 daily limit. Business accounts can request custom limits based on their transaction history.

Wire Transfers

Wire transfers are individual, direct bank-to-bank transfers that settle the same day (domestic) or within 1 to 2 business days (international). They're irrevocable once sent, which makes them suitable for large or time-sensitive payments.

**How it works on Nano Wallet:** Navigate to Send Money, select Wire Transfer, and enter the recipient's bank details. For domestic wires, you'll need the recipient's routing number and account number. For international wires, you'll need the SWIFT/BIC code, IBAN (where applicable), and the recipient's bank address.

**Costs:** Domestic wires cost $15 on the Plus plan and are free on Premium and Business plans. International wires cost $30 on Plus, $15 on Premium, and are negotiable on Business plans. Incoming wires are always free.

**Best for:** Large payments, real estate transactions, international vendor payments, and any situation where same-day settlement is important. Wire transfers are also preferred when the recipient requires a traceable, irrevocable payment method.

**Limits:** Wire transfer limits start at $50,000 per day for standard accounts and go up to $500,000 for verified business accounts.

Stablecoin Transfers (USDC)

USDC transfers move value on blockchain rails. They settle in minutes regardless of the day of week, don't require traditional banking intermediaries, and cost a fraction of wire transfer fees.

**How it works on Nano Wallet:** You can send USDC to any Ethereum, Solana, or Base wallet address. You can also receive USDC from external wallets. Nano Wallet handles the gas fees internally — you pay a flat $0.50 per transfer regardless of the blockchain network.

**Costs:** $0.50 flat fee per outgoing transfer. Incoming USDC transfers are free. Converting between USD and USDC within Nano Wallet is free and instant.

**Best for:** International payments (especially to countries with limited banking infrastructure), weekend or holiday transfers, payments to crypto-native businesses, and situations where you want near-instant settlement without wire transfer fees.

Quick Comparison

| Feature | ACH | Wire | USDC | |---------|-----|------|------| | Speed | 1-3 business days | Same day (domestic) | Minutes | | Cost | Free | $0-30 | $0.50 | | Availability | Business days | Business days | 24/7/365 | | Reversible | Yes (within window) | No | No | | International | No | Yes | Yes |

Choosing the Right Method

For most day-to-day transfers between U.S. accounts, ACH is the best choice — it's free and reliable. When you need speed or are sending internationally, choose between wire transfers (for traditional banking recipients) and USDC (for crypto-compatible recipients or weekend transfers). Many of our business customers use all three methods depending on the situation.