He Accidentally Paid $60,000 in Bitcoin Fees : Here’s How to Avoid It

A $60,000 Bitcoin transaction fee error? Yes, it happened for real. Let's delve into the details of this mishap and discover how to steer clear of such pitfalls.

Written by Gaston Cuny

Translated on June 17, 2025 at 15:18 by Sarah

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How Did a Bitcoin User End Up Paying $60,000 in Fees ?

In early April 2025, a Bitcoin user tried to speed up a pending transaction using the Replace-By-Fee (RBF) feature. However, instead of a modest increase, their wallet mistakenly spent 0.75 Bitcoin, equivalent to around $60,000 to $70,000, just in fees.

How could such a mishap happen? It all started with confusion between fee units. Instead of setting a reasonable fee rate per byte, the user may have accidentally entered a high absolute value, prompting the wallet to apply excessively high fees.

A Bitcoin transaction — Source: mempool.space

Bitcoin transactions are not final until they are added to a block. If a transaction is stuck, the RBF function allows it to be resent with higher fees to encourage miners to confirm it faster.

Here’s how it works:

You enable RBF when sending the initial transaction.
If the transaction remains unconfirmed, you can create a replacement with higher fees.
Miners will likely choose the version with higher fees as they have a financial incentive.

But beware, if you make a mistake on inputs or outputs, especially the change address, it can cost you dearly.

How to Avoid BTC Transaction Fee Errors ?

To avoid the same fate as this unlucky user, here are some tips:

Choose a secure Bitcoin wallet with transparent fee options.
Understand the difference between fee units (total satoshis vs. satoshis per byte) before sending a transaction.
Always check the details of your transaction (recipient address, fee amount, change address) before confirming.
Let your wallet suggest optimal fees rather than manually entering values.
First, perform a small transaction test to ensure everything is set up correctly.
Monitor real-time Bitcoin network fees to choose the best time to send.
Stay calm and don’t rush to resend a stuck transaction.

By following these precautions, you will avoid costly mistakes and secure your crypto transactions. A small error can quickly turn into a very expensive lesson in the world of cryptocurrencies.

Buy Bitcoin (BTC) with reduced fees on Bitget !

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Gaston Cuny

Gaston has been a writer for over 7 years and a passionate cryptocurrency enthusiast since 2020. He loves exploring the crypto ecosystem and is now dedicated to sharing his insights and discoveries through InvestX.

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