Pecunia on the radar:
A quiet revolution in accepting
payments for web projects
A review of an unconventional payment solution that attracts attention from developers, communities and small businesses.
Over the past couple of years the payment gateway market has become incredibly saturated: from well-known processors with big brands to niche providers promising “minimal fees” and “global reach”. Among the usual players a new type of solution has emerged — one focused on privacy, decentralization and handing control back to the user. One such solution is gaining traction — a payment gateway called Pecunia. In this article we will examine what this product is, its strengths, what limits it has and who it might suit.
A shiny new norm — or simply a different philosophy?
When people talk about payment gateways they usually mean centralized services: you connect them to your site, they accept money, hold and manage it until you request withdrawal. The whole chain is governed by the provider’s policies — from fees to verification requirements for businesses and customers. This is convenient for companies that need strict control and regulator support. But there are those who seek other properties: easier integration, control over funds, fewer intermediaries and transparent economics.
This is where Pecunia fits in. Essentially, it’s not just another gateway — it’s an approach to payment acceptance whose core idea is: “the user remains the owner of their funds; the provider supplies tools to accept payments, but does not retain control over collected funds.”
What technically makes Pecunia special
Non-custodial model
Funds are under the wallet owner's control rather than on a server. Reduced operational risks.
Direct integration
Payers and recipients interact directly. No “stuck” refunds.
0% fees
No platform fees on transactions. Ideal for micropayments.
Mass payouts
Convenient mechanism for marketplaces and freelance platforms.
Non-custodial model: The service architecture is designed so that the platform itself does not store client funds and has no ability to dispose of them. In other words: money collected on the site is under the control of the address/wallet owner, not the intermediary server. This reduces provider-side operational risk and decreases central points of control.
Direct wallet integration: Instead of “taking money and then forwarding it”, the platform provides tools that allow payers and recipients to interact directly through their wallets. For developers this means less complex accounting and fewer points where funds can be “held up”, as well as the absence of imposed “refunds” — once funds land, only the recipient can return them.
Focus on easy integration: SDKs, ready plugins for popular CMS and simple APIs are included in the toolset designed to shorten development time.
Who might be interested
Shops and marketplaces
Maximum profit with minimal transactional overhead.
Content creators
Low fees and direct control over incoming funds.
Platforms and communities
Support for many transfer types, subscriptions, tips.
Technical entrepreneurs
Flexibility for mass payouts and transparent economics.
Also: open projects and DAOs that value decentralized control over funds.
Practical use cases
Donations and streams
Accept donations without a share being eaten by fees.
Marketplaces
Sellers receive funds directly to their wallets; the platform orchestrates the flow.
Freelance and mass payouts
Fast withdrawals and no extra charges for contractor payouts.
International projects and donations to open source — by cutting intermediaries, collecting funds becomes easier and cheaper.
Security and control — how it works technically
Technically
The term “non-custodial” means that the keys to control assets belong to the user. Practically, this is implemented via integration with user wallets and signing transactions client-side.
- Private key control — the platform has no access to secrets.
- Transaction transparency — all movements can be traced in a public ledger.
- Fewer single points of failure — no centralized fund storage.
Legal liability
Any participant in the ecosystem has obligations to the state: taxes, AML. The architecture reduces operational load for the provider but does not remove user responsibilities.
Recommendations: do not promise law evasion; clearly state that users must comply with local regulations.
Legal and compliance reality: frank and open
It is important to be unequivocal here. Any participant of the payment ecosystem — business owners, platform operators, payment providers and even end users — may have legal obligations to the state: from taxation to anti-money laundering measures. The platform architecture can reduce operational burden for the provider but does not remove responsibility of business owners and users to comply with applicable law.
In site texts and materials it is recommended not to promise the ability to circumvent laws and not to present the lack of centralized control tools as a “loophole”. Clearly state that users must follow rules of their jurisdiction and consult official advisors where necessary. This approach protects both business and users.
Economics: is “0%” realistic?
The platform does not charge fees, but it's important to understand nuances:
- Pecunia does not levy its own fees for transfers and withdrawals.
- Network fees (blockchain) or third-party service fees may apply.
- For businesses this means significant savings on large volumes of small payments.
Read the service terms and technical documentation carefully.
Why this could change the approach to payment solutions
Easier and cheaper for businesses
Savings on fees and simple integration = more net revenue and less bureaucracy.
More transparent finances
Funds aren’t “held” by the provider — it’s easy to trace flows and eliminate mistakes.
An alternative for niche markets
Where classic providers are reluctant to onboard projects, Pecunia can be a starting option.
Integration: what developers can expect
For developers who want to try Pecunia, the typical connection scheme usually includes:
Sign-up and API keys
Not to be confused with access to funds.
Install SDK/plugin
Ready-made solutions for CMS.
Setup acceptance
Forms, webhooks for notifications.
Testing and launch
Tests and production rollout.
Limitations and things to consider
- Network fees still apply; “0% from the platform” is not always “0% for the user”.
- Not every scenario suits a non-custodial approach. Highly regulated businesses may prefer classic providers.
- A basic technical level is required: key and wallet management.
- Legal responsibility — business owners must ensure compliance with local rules.
Real stories: where Pecunia already helps
Small publisher
Increased donation income by 30% thanks to the absence of fees.
Online festival
Reduced operational costs of payouts and manual processing time.
Tech startup
Tested direct payout models for independent contributors.
Conclusion: where Pecunia wins and where to be cautious
Pros
- Transparent fund management model (user owns the funds).
- Lower provider operational load → absence of platform fees.
- Convenient tools for mass payouts and micropayments.
- Fast integration for technically prepared teams.
Cons / warnings
- Not a universal solution for highly regulated businesses.
- Requires attention to legal and tax obligations.
- Users must understand wallet and key management.
Implementation recommendations (step-by-step for site owners)
Conclusion: not a “panacea”, but a useful tool in the toolbox
Pecunia is an interesting example of how the payment services market is changing: players betting on privacy, direct control over funds and fee savings are entering the field. It’s not a universal solution for everyone, but in a number of scenarios — from microtransactions to mass payouts — such an architecture can significantly simplify life and save money.
If you are a site owner, content creator or platform manager looking for alternative ways to accept payments with minimal overhead — consider trying Pecunia. Just don't forget to do your homework on the legal side: technologies are powerful tools, but responsibility for their use stays with project owners.