Cryptocurrency trading has become increasingly accessible, but one question continues to puzzle new and experienced users alike: Why don’t the prices I see online match the prices I get when buying or selling? This discrepancy isn’t a glitch—it’s a fundamental part of how crypto markets operate. In this guide, we’ll break down the concept of the price difference, explain how exchange pricing works, and help you trade with greater confidence.
What Is the Price Difference in Crypto Trading?
When you browse cryptocurrency prices on platforms like Kriptomat, you're often viewing an average market price—not the exact price you’ll pay or receive. The real cost of buying or selling crypto is determined by two distinct values:
- Buy Price (Bid): The amount you pay to purchase a cryptocurrency.
- Sell Price (Ask): The amount you receive when selling it.
These prices differ due to market dynamics. The spread—the gap between the buy and sell price—is influenced by supply and demand across global exchanges. Every time a user places an order, it updates the order book, which in turn affects real-time pricing.
👉 Discover real-time crypto pricing and start trading with precision.
How Are Crypto Prices Determined?
Unlike traditional currencies regulated by central banks, cryptocurrency prices emerge from decentralized market forces. Thousands of buy and sell orders are processed every minute across exchanges worldwide. These orders populate what’s known as the order book, a live ledger of current market demand and supply.
- High demand to buy a coin pushes the buy price up.
- High availability to sell increases supply, lowering the sell price.
Because these conditions shift constantly, prices fluctuate second by second. Platforms like Kriptomat aggregate data from multiple sources to reflect accurate, up-to-the-minute pricing based on global market activity.
Why the Buy Price Is Higher Than the Sell Price
It might seem counterintuitive at first: why can’t you buy low and instantly sell at the same price? The answer lies in market mechanics.
- Buyers compete to acquire assets quickly, often accepting slightly higher prices.
- Sellers want liquidity and may accept slightly lower offers to complete trades fast.
This natural imbalance creates a bid-ask spread, ensuring that the buy price is always higher than the sell price. Market makers help bridge this gap by providing liquidity, but they also factor in risk and operational costs—further influencing the spread.
Why Do Price Charts Show an Average Value?
On dashboards such as the Home Page, Wallets, Portfolio, and Gainers & Losers, platforms typically display the mid-market price—the average of the current buy and sell prices.
This approach serves a practical purpose: since the platform doesn’t know whether you intend to buy or sell at that moment, showing an average gives a balanced snapshot of value. While useful for tracking portfolio performance, this number shouldn't be mistaken for transactional pricing.
For example:
- Average BTC price shown: $60,000
- Actual buy price: $60,150
- Actual sell price: $59,850
The difference may seem small, but over multiple trades, understanding this spread can impact your returns.
👉 See live bid-ask spreads and trade with full market transparency.
How to Find the True Buy and Sell Prices
To see the actual price you’ll pay or receive, you must initiate a transaction:
- Click Buy for any cryptocurrency.
- Enter your desired amount.
- The system will display the exact total cost, including fees and spread.
Similarly, when you open a Sell window, you’ll see precisely how much fiat or crypto you’ll receive after deducting all applicable costs.
💡 Pro Tip: Always double-check the final value before confirming. Prices update in real time, so delays of even seconds can result in slight changes due to market volatility.
Focus on Value, Not Just Price
One of the most effective ways to ensure accuracy in your trades is to monitor the value received rather than just the listed price.
For instance:
- If you’re buying 0.0095 BTC, verify that your wallet receives exactly that amount post-transaction.
- If exchanging ETH for USDT, confirm the output matches expectations based on the current exchange rate and fees.
This practice helps avoid confusion caused by fluctuating spreads and ensures transparency in every trade.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why doesn’t the price I see match what I pay?
The displayed price is usually an average (mid-market rate). The actual transaction price depends on whether you're buying or selling, reflecting real-time supply and demand through the bid-ask spread.
Does every exchange show the same price?
Not exactly. While major exchanges track similar global averages, differences in liquidity, trading volume, and regional demand can cause slight variations in buy and sell prices across platforms.
Can I reduce the impact of the spread?
Yes. Trading during high-liquidity periods (when trading volume is high) typically results in tighter spreads. Additionally, using limit orders instead of market orders allows you to set your preferred price point.
What causes sudden changes in crypto prices?
Multiple factors influence rapid price movements: news events, regulatory announcements, whale transactions (large trades), market sentiment, and macroeconomic trends. These affect supply and demand instantly, shifting order books globally.
Is the spread a fee?
No—the spread itself isn't a fee charged by the exchange. It's a natural outcome of market mechanics. However, some platforms may incorporate part of the spread into their pricing model, especially in simplified retail interfaces.
How often do prices update?
Prices update continuously—often every few seconds—based on live order book data from global exchanges. High-frequency trading and algorithmic systems contribute to near-instantaneous adjustments.
👉 Access real-time order books and make informed trading decisions today.
Final Thoughts: Trade Smart With Clear Pricing Insights
Understanding the difference between displayed prices and actual transaction costs empowers you to trade more effectively. By recognizing how supply and demand, order books, and bid-ask spreads shape pricing, you gain better control over your investment strategy.
Always remember:
- The price shown is often an average.
- Actual buy/sell prices vary based on market conditions.
- Confirm final values before completing any transaction.
With this knowledge, you’re better equipped to navigate the dynamic world of cryptocurrency with clarity and confidence.
Whether you're monitoring your portfolio or executing your next trade, staying informed about pricing mechanics makes all the difference.