Blockchain Infrastructure

What are gas fees and why do they differ across chains?

Gas fees are the charges paid to a blockchain network to process and record a transaction, compensating the validators who secure it. The amount depends on how much computational work the transaction requires and how busy the network is, so fees rise during congestion. They differ across chains because each network has its own design, capacity, and demand. For example, the same transfer can cost several dollars on Ethereum, a few cents on Polygon, and a fraction of a cent on Solana. Fee structure is one of several factors a documented index methodology like Qatobit's considers.