In the rapidly evolving world of digital finance, transaction speed has become a critical factor in determining the practicality of a cryptocurrency. While Bitcoin remains the most recognized and widely held digital asset, its network often struggles with slower transaction times—averaging around 40 minutes for wallet-to-wallet transfers. As demand for faster, more efficient payment solutions grows, several alternative cryptocurrencies have emerged that significantly outpace Bitcoin in transfer speed.
This article explores 10 cryptocurrencies that are faster to send than Bitcoin, offering users quicker settlement times, improved scalability, and enhanced usability for everyday transactions.
Why Speed Matters in Cryptocurrency Transactions
Transaction speed is essential for real-world usability—especially in retail payments, remittances, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Slow networks can lead to delays, higher fees during peak congestion, and poor user experience. While Bitcoin prioritizes security and decentralization, its Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus limits throughput to about 7 transactions per second (TPS).
The following cryptocurrencies leverage innovative consensus mechanisms, layer-2 solutions, or optimized architectures to deliver faster processing times—making them compelling alternatives for users seeking efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Faster Than Bitcoin
1. Dogecoin (DOGE)
Originally created as a meme-inspired joke in 2013, Dogecoin has evolved into a legitimate digital currency with strong community support and practical use cases. Built on a fork of Litecoin’s codebase, Dogecoin features a 1-minute block time, allowing it to process transactions up to ten times faster than Bitcoin at the protocol level.
However, most exchanges require 40 confirmations for Dogecoin deposits, which brings the average wallet-to-exchange transfer time to around 40 minutes. Despite this, its high throughput (33 TPS) and low fees make it a popular choice for microtransactions and tipping.
👉 Discover how fast crypto transfers can be on modern blockchain networks.
2. Monero (XMR)
Monero stands out for its focus on privacy and anonymity. Unlike Bitcoin, where all transactions are publicly traceable, Monero uses ring signatures and stealth addresses to obfuscate sender, receiver, and transaction amount.
Despite its emphasis on security and privacy, Monero maintains relatively fast transaction speeds. With a 2-minute block time and adaptive block size, XMR transactions typically settle in about 30 minutes with standard confirmation requirements. The network can theoretically handle up to 1,700 TPS, though real-world performance is lower due to privacy overhead.
3. Cardano (ADA)
Cardano is a third-generation blockchain developed by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson. It uses a scientific, peer-reviewed approach to design and implements the Ouroboros Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism.
This energy-efficient model allows Cardano to achieve faster finality than Bitcoin’s PoW system. ADA transactions usually take around 10 minutes to confirm. With ongoing development of Hydra, a layer-2 scaling solution, Cardano aims to scale up to 2 million TPS, making it one of the most promising platforms for future high-speed transactions.
4. Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum revolutionized blockchain technology by introducing smart contracts and enabling decentralized applications (dApps). Although originally using PoW like Bitcoin, Ethereum transitioned to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) in 2022 with "The Merge."
This upgrade drastically improved efficiency. Ethereum now adds a new block every 12–14 seconds, enabling wallet-to-wallet transfers in 1 to 15 minutes under normal conditions. During periods of high congestion, speeds may slow due to gas fee competition. However, the network supports 25–30 TPS, far exceeding Bitcoin’s capacity.
Future upgrades like sharding aim to boost throughput to 100,000 TPS, further enhancing speed and scalability.
5. Tether (USDT)
As the largest stablecoin by market capitalization, Tether offers price stability pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. Its primary utility lies in fast value transfer across volatile markets.
Tether operates on multiple blockchains—including Ethereum (ERC-20), Tron (TRC-20), and Solana—each affecting transaction speed:
- ERC-20 USDT: ~5 minutes
- TRC-20 USDT: Often under 2 minutes with lower fees
By choosing faster underlying networks, users can enjoy near-instant settlements, making USDT one of the most efficient tools for moving value quickly.
6. Litecoin (LTC)
Launched in 2011 as the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold,” Litecoin was designed specifically for faster payments. It uses the Scrypt hashing algorithm and has a 2.5-minute block time, allowing it to process transactions four times faster than Bitcoin.
With support for 50 TPS, Litecoin remains a reliable option for peer-to-peer payments and merchant adoption. Its long-standing presence and compatibility with existing infrastructure add to its credibility as a speed-optimized alternative.
7. Bitcoin (via Lightning Network)
While the base Bitcoin blockchain is slow, the Lightning Network—a layer-2 solution—enables near-instant transactions. By routing payments through off-chain channels, Lightning allows BTC transfers to settle in under one minute, often in fractions of a second.
Though adoption is still growing, major platforms and payment processors are increasingly integrating Lightning for micropayments and cross-border remittances. This makes it possible to enjoy Bitcoin’s security while achieving Visa-like speeds.
👉 See how next-gen blockchain layers enable instant crypto transfers.
8. Solana (SOL)
Dubbed the “Visa of blockchains,” Solana combines Proof-of-History (PoH) with Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) to achieve blazing-fast speeds. It boasts block times of just 400 milliseconds and handles between 50,000 and 65,000 TPS under optimal conditions.
SOL token transfers typically complete in 5 to 20 seconds, making it one of the fastest blockchains available. Its high performance supports complex DeFi applications and NFT marketplaces without sacrificing user experience.
9. Terra (LUNA) – Pre-Reboot Context
Note: This refers to the original Terra blockchain prior to its 2022 collapse.
The original Terra protocol used the Tendermint BFT consensus mechanism, enabling it to process up to 10,000 TPS with a new block every 6 seconds. This allowed LUNA and UST transfers to settle nearly instantly—over 100 times faster than Bitcoin.
While the ecosystem underwent a major restructuring after May 2022, the technical achievements of the original chain remain notable in discussions about high-speed blockchain design.
10. XRP Ledger (XRP)
XRP is engineered for institutional finance. Developed by Ripple, the XRP Ledger uses a unique Consensus Protocol instead of mining, enabling transactions to settle in 3–5 seconds with finality.
The network supports 1,500 TPS consistently and can scale higher when needed—matching traditional financial rails like Visa during peak loads. With low fees and rapid settlement, XRP is widely adopted by banks and payment providers for cross-border transfers.
Average Crypto Transaction Speed Comparison
According to recent data, the average transaction time across the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap is approximately 6.8 minutes. Bitcoin remains the slowest at ~40 minutes, while Solana, XRP, and Terra offer sub-minute confirmations.
Factors influencing transaction speed include:
- Block time
- Number of required confirmations
- Network congestion
- Transaction fees
- Underlying consensus mechanism
For example, even if a blockchain produces blocks quickly, exchanges may require multiple confirmations before crediting funds—delaying perceived transfer speed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can any cryptocurrency beat Bitcoin in transaction speed?
A: Yes—many cryptocurrencies like Solana, XRP, Litecoin, and Ethereum process transactions significantly faster than Bitcoin due to advanced consensus models and optimized architectures.
Q: Why is Bitcoin so slow compared to other cryptos?
A: Bitcoin prioritizes decentralization and security over speed. Its 10-minute block time and limited block size restrict throughput to ~7 TPS, causing delays during high demand.
Q: Does faster always mean better?
A: Not necessarily. Speed must be balanced with security, decentralization, and network stability. Some ultra-fast chains may sacrifice decentralization or face downtime under stress.
Q: How can I send Bitcoin faster?
A: Use the Lightning Network—a layer-2 solution that enables instant BTC transfers off-chain while leveraging Bitcoin’s underlying security.
Q: Are stablecoins faster than native cryptocurrencies?
A: Often yes—especially when issued on fast blockchains like Tron or Solana. For instance, TRC-20 USDT settles much faster than BTC or even ETH under heavy load.
Q: What determines how long a crypto transfer takes?
A: Key factors include blockchain block time, confirmation requirements from exchanges, transaction fees paid, and current network congestion levels.
👉 Explore platforms that support ultra-fast cryptocurrency transactions today.
Final Thoughts
While Bitcoin remains the cornerstone of the crypto economy, its limitations in transaction speed have paved the way for faster alternatives. From privacy-focused Monero to high-performance Solana and enterprise-ready XRP, numerous blockchains offer superior throughput and quicker settlement times.
As blockchain technology evolves, speed will continue to play a crucial role in mass adoption—especially for everyday payments and global remittances. Whether you're looking for stability (Tether), scalability (Cardano), or instant settlement (Lightning Network), there are now multiple viable options beyond Bitcoin.
Staying informed about these innovations ensures smarter decisions in an increasingly competitive digital asset landscape.