> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.leather.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.leather.io/learn/bitcoin-remittances.md).

# Can Bitcoin Be Used for Remittances?

Bitcoin and stablecoins can send money abroad without a bank or transfer service. How it works, its trade-offs and how to send from Leather.

A remittance is money a person sends to family or friends in another country. Banks and transfer services usually handle it, for a fee and often with a currency conversion.

With bitcoin, you send directly from your wallet to the recipient's wallet. The transfer works the same way to any country, at any hour.

## Advantages

* No bank or transfer service in between, so no service fee. You pay the network fee.
* Arrives in about 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the fee and the confirmations the recipient waits for.
* The recipient needs only a wallet, not a bank account.

## Trade-offs

* **Price swings:** the value of bitcoin can change between sending and spending. A stablecoin, such as a dollar token on Stacks, avoids this.
* **Network fees:** on a busy network, the fee for a small amount can be high.
* **Spending:** the recipient may need to sell bitcoin for local currency before spending it.
* **Rules:** crypto rules and taxes differ by country.

## Send from Leather

1. On the Home screen, click "Send". In a narrow window, click "Transfer" and then "Send".
2. Choose the asset.
3. Enter the recipient's address and the amount.
4. Choose a fee and confirm.

See [Send Bitcoin (BTC)](/transactions/send-bitcoin.md).

![BTC send form with an amount and a recipient address](https://4209755586-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaSQhveafXrLjROsW3JZ1%2Fuploads%2FtoPFFN2fmCZ279KsuSxV%2Fe-support-bitcoin-remittances-01-btc-send-form.png?alt=media\&token=6cafe221-5f9f-4c52-a651-32127f87f176)