What is a network cost?
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A network cost (often called a gas fee) is the fee paid to validators for including and executing your transaction on the blockchain. It compensates the computational resources required to verify the transaction, update state, and achieve consensus — all without a central authority.
Key characteristics
- Non-refundable. The fee is consumed whether the transaction succeeds or fails. A failed swap still costs gas because validators expended resources determining the outcome.
- Variable. Fees fluctuate with network demand. When many users compete for block space, fees rise; during quiet periods, they fall.
- Denominated in the native token. On the Centurion Chain, fees are paid in CTN. See What is a network token? for why this matters.
Practical implications
When swapping the network's native token for another asset, you cannot use your entire balance — a portion must be reserved to pay the fee. Wallets typically warn you, but it is worth keeping a small buffer.
If your wallet lacks the native token entirely, you will need to acquire some before executing any transaction:
- Purchase it through a supported on-ramp.
- Transfer it from another wallet or exchange.
- Bridge it from a different network.
Network cost vs. other fees
Network costs are distinct from token fees (charged by a token's smart contract on transfer) and swap fees (charged by a liquidity pool). All three can apply to a single transaction, but they are collected by different parties and serve different purposes.