The BitBoxApp lets you choose how much you pay in network fees when sending a transaction. Higher fees typically confirm faster; lower fees can take longer (and may remain pending for a long time during congested periods).
This article explains:
- How the fee priority levels work
- How to enable and use custom fees
- Where to check current fee rates for Bitcoin and Ethereum
Before you start
Understand what “transaction fees” are
Transaction fees are paid to the network (miners/validators), not to BitBox. They help your transaction get included in a block.
Know the fee units
- Bitcoin: fee rate is shown in sat/vB (satoshis per virtual byte)
- Ethereum: fee price is shown in Gwei
Option 1: Choose a fee priority (recommended for most users)
When creating a send transaction, the BitBoxApp offers four priority levels:
- High
- Normal
- Low
- Economy
The app estimates these levels based on network conditions (e.g., Bitcoin fee estimation from our node).
If you want a quick, safe choice, use Normal.
Use High only if you need a faster confirmation and fees are currently elevated.
Option 2: Enable custom fees
Custom fees allow you to manually set the fee rate instead of choosing a preset priority.
Setting a fee too low can cause your transaction to remain pending for a long time. In some cases, it may only confirm once network fees drop significantly.
Enable custom fees in the BitBoxApp
- Open Settings in the left sidebar.
- Go to Advanced settings.
- Enable Enable custom fees.
Use custom fees for Bitcoin
- In the left sidebar, select the Bitcoin account you want to send from.
- In the account overview, click Send.
- The Send Bitcoin window opens.
- Enter the recipient address and amount.
- Under Priority, select Custom.
- Enter a fee rate in sat/vB.
To choose a reasonable sat/vB, check current fee recommendations on a block explorer before sending: https://mempool.space/
Use custom fees for Ethereum
- In the left sidebar, select the Ethereum account you want to send from.
- In the account overview, click Send.
- The Send Ethereum window opens.
- Enter the recipient address and amount.
- Select Custom for the fee.
- Enter a fee price in Gwei.
To check current Ethereum gas fee recommendations, use: https://etherscan.io/gastracker
How to pick a reasonable fee (practical guidance)
Bitcoin (sat/vB)
- Use a higher sat/vB when the mempool is busy (recommended fees are shown on mempool.space).
- Use lower values only if you can wait and you understand the risk of long confirmation times.
Ethereum (Gwei)
- Gas fees can change quickly. Use a live gas tracker (like Etherscan Gas Tracker) close to the time you send.
If your transaction is stuck
If a transaction was sent with a fee that is too low, it may remain pending for some time. What you can do next depends on the asset and the tools that support fee replacement.
Bitcoin transactions
Bitcoin transactions initiated with the BitBox02 cannot be fee-bumped directly inside the BitBoxApp.
To increase the effective fee, you need to use an external wallet that supports Replace-by-Fee (RBF) with BitBox02, such as Sparrow Wallet.
Follow this guide for step-by-step instructions:
How to speed up a stuck Bitcoin transaction with Sparrow and BitBox02
Ethereum transactions
For Ethereum, you can replace (speed up) a pending transaction by submitting a new transaction with a higher fee using Rabby Wallet.
Depending on where the transaction was initiated, use the appropriate guide:
- Speed up a BitBox02-initiated Ethereum transaction using Rabby.
- Speed up a transaction initiated directly in Rabby Wallet.
“Stuck” does not necessarily mean “lost.” In most cases, the transaction is simply waiting for sufficient network priority.
FAQ
Can I change the fee after I already sent the transaction?
Usually not directly. In some situations (depending on coin and transaction type), it may be possible to increase the effective fee (e.g., via fee bumping methods). If you are unsure, contact support with the TXID.
Why do fees change so much?
Fees are determined by network congestion and demand. When many users transact at the same time, fees increase.
Do fees go to BitBox?
No. Fees are paid to the network, not to BitBox.
What is “sat/vB”?
sat/vB means “satoshis per virtual byte.” It describes how much fee you pay relative to the transaction’s size. Higher sat/vB generally confirms faster.
What is “Gwei”?
Gwei is a unit used to express Ethereum gas prices. Higher Gwei generally results in faster inclusion.
Which fee setting should I use if I’m unsure?
Use Normal priority. It is typically the best balance between cost and confirmation time.