How to send money internationally

Looking to send money to friends, family or associates in another country? You’re spoiled for choice: from old-school cash deposits/cash pickups and wire transfers to fintech apps loaded via debit/credit card, a range of options exist for moving funds across the globe.

Of course, each payment method comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. In this article, we’ll provide a high-level overview of international money transfers, as well as tips for getting the best deals.

Broadly speaking, an international money transfer can refer to any transaction where one party sends funds to a recipient in another country—be it via cryptocurrency, international wire transfer or bank transfer.

Let’s set aside crypto for the moment and focus on more traditional methods that fit this definition.

A transfer usually involves the use of a common platform, which links together two separate financial rails.

For example, a user in country A who wishes to send fiat currency via their bank to a user in country B will need some kind of ‘hub’ that connects both bank accounts.

Today, SWIFT dominates as this ‘hub.’ This protocol allows for international bank transfers, thanks to a shared set of instructions between banks around the world. Other options, such as Wise and Western Union, allow users to create accounts and fund them for similar purposes.

When sending money internationally, several key factors should influence your decision: transfer fees, speed, delivery method, transfer limits, and the overall convenience of the money transfer provider.

Transfer costs are multi-faceted in international money transfers. Beyond the explicit service charges, you must consider the foreign currency exchange rate used to convert funds. Many providers include an exchange rate markup—effectively adding a hidden fee—on all amounts of money sent via their services. Understanding these costs is critical to avoid unpleasant surprises when making any form of transfer.

Speed is another crucial factor. While some money transfer providers offer rapid delivery methods, traditional bank transfers often require several business days to settle. This delay can be particularly inconvenient if your transaction is time-sensitive. As a result, many are turning to more innovative, convenient options such as cryptocurrency payments to make faster, cheaper transfers.

The delivery method for the funds is also important. Whether you're sending money for a direct bank deposit, cash for pickup, or digital wallet transfer, different options come with varying speeds, fees and accessibility. Additionally, ensure you are aware of any transfer limits imposed by the provider, as these may influence your choice.

The usability of the platform should cater to both you and your recipient. For instance, a modern fintech app that allows transfers using only an email address might simplify the process. However, if the recipient prefers a traditional bank transfer, opting for a service that accommodates their needs might be more practical.

Ultimately, comparing different money transfer providers—by reviewing their websites, customer reviews, and foreign exchange rates—can help you find a solution that balances speed, fees, and convenience while meeting your specific needs.

The Krak app—available to download for free from Google Play and App Store—is a feature that delivers unmatched payment flexibility, cost-efficiency and innovation.

Today’s borderless economy requires more than basic currency transfers—it demands an online money transfer system built for a connected world.

Built from the ground up, Krak supports over 300+ assets, including top cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and fiat currencies, and is supported across 160+ countries worldwide including the UK, Canada and beyond.

Whether you’re sending crypto, fiat, or other assets, you’re in control. Simply choose the asset you want to send, and let the recipient decide how they want to receive it. It's that easy.

The Krak app handles all asset conversions automatically for you, leveraging our platform’s deep liquidity and robust security infrastructure.

Want to automatically earn rewards on your idle assets? You can with Krak. Tired of money transfer apps charging high fees? Krak offers transparent pricing and free transfers for same-asset transactions. 

Whether you’re a business managing global payroll or an individual sending money home, Krak Pay helps you save more without compromising on service quality.

Getting started with the Krak app is as easy as downloading the app and creating an account. Once verified, you’re good to go: all that’s left to do is fund your account with your fiat or crypto of choice.

From here, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with three key Krak features, designed for a truly streamlined user experience:

Say goodbye to crypto addresses and lengthy banking identifiers.

Every Krak app user can create their own Kraktag, a customizable, unique, human-readable identifier that enables others to easily find them. Create yours and share it with friends and family to start receiving payments instantly.

A paylink is a simple, secure URL designed to make digital payments as easy as sending a message. Generate paylinks via the Krak app, and send them via WhatsApp, Signal, SMS, or any other messaging service. Once received, recipients simply click the link to access the funds.

What if my counterparty doesn’t have a Kraken account? That doesn’t matter. When they click the paylink, they’ll be prompted to sign up for their free Kraken account. After creating an account and verifying their details, the payment will automatically be credited to their account.

Want to pay a friend in Swiss Francs, but only have ? No problem.

You don’t even need to swap your DOGE before executing your transaction—the Krak app will do it in real time for you, thanks to its deep liquidity. Better still, you can combine multiple currencies and cryptos into a single transaction if you have several small balances.

With these features in your arsenal, secure, instant transactions have never been easier. Create your Kraktag and start using Krak now!

It’s recommended that you shop around to secure the best deal (and the fastest processing time) for an international money transfer. Obviously, factors like the fiat currencies used, the sending and destination countries, and the amounts transferred will influence your decision. Naturally, so will your funding method: different solutions are better suited to different payment methods (e.g., bank transfers, credit/debit cards, cash).

Often, digital offerings are superior to traditional banking platforms. But, again, be sure to consider all fees before making your decision.

Today, a vast range of options exist for sending money from one country to another. No single solution reigns, as transfers are highly dependent on the sender and receivers’ circumstances.

For convenience and speed, however, it’s hard to beat Krak—which requires only that users sign up and fund their accounts to start sending, with a range of impressive features to seamlessly make domestic and international transfers.

Get started with the ultimate digital payments app today.