Foreign exchange (FX) rates for your transactions are determined at the time the payment is settled, not when the purchase is initially made.
For transactions made in a currency other than USD or EUR, Visa first applies its own foreign exchange (FX) conversion rate to convert the amount into USD at the time of settlement. Ether.fi applies a 1% FX fee. The Visa rate may differ slightly from publicly available rates due to timing and network adjustments, and the 1% fee is applied after the conversion. The final charged amount reflects both Visa’s conversion and Ether.fi’s fee.
While public tools like the Visa Exchange Rate Calculator can give a close estimate, the final rate applied may differ slightly due to timing differences between authorization and settlement, intermediary bank processing, and network adjustments.
Why was the conversion rate on my purchase higher than expected?
Several factors can affect the final conversion rate on a purchase.
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Some payment terminals ask if you'd like to pay in your home currency instead of the local currency.
Example
A terminal in Europe might ask if you'd like to pay in USD instead of EUR.
This option usually includes a higher exchange rate markup added by the merchant or terminal provider.
For most users, this results in a worse rate than letting the card handle the conversion.
Recommendation
Always choose to pay in the local currency when prompted.
Time of Settlement vs Time of Purchase
Card payments are not always finalized instantly.
The FX rate used may be the one available when the transaction settles, which can be 1–2 days after the purchase.
Exchange rates may move during that time, resulting in a small difference between the purchase estimate and the final amount.
Merchant Surcharges or Processing Fees
Some merchants may apply additional processing fees when charging foreign cards.
These fees are applied by the merchant, not by the Cash card system.
They may appear as:
• Higher final amounts
• Separate service fees
• Currency conversion premiums
Refunds or Reversals
If a transaction is refunded, the FX rate at the time of the refund may differ from the rate at the time of the purchase.
Because of this, the refunded amount may not match the exact original amount when converted between currencies.
Country Specific Processing
In certain countries, intermediary payment processors may apply additional currency handling charges or settlement adjustments.
These are uncommon but may appear in markets with multi-currency processing systems or local regulatory requirements.
Merchant Error or Terminal Configuration
Occasionally, merchant terminals may display one currency but process the payment in another.
This can lead to unexpected conversion differences if the terminal performs an additional conversion step before the card network processes the payment.
If you notice a large discrepancy, contacting the merchant for clarification is recommended.
Still have questions?
If you have any questions about FX fees and conversion rates on your Cash card, feel free to reach out to Support.
Still have questions?