Ethereum vs PulseChain Transaction Cost Calculator
PulseChain promises near-zero gas fees compared to Ethereum's high transaction costs. This calculator shows the real-world cost difference for your transactions.
Transaction Cost Comparison
*Note: These are estimated costs based on current network conditions. PulseChain fees are nearly zero but may vary.
Important Considerations
• PulseChain has extremely low liquidity ($3,700-$17,000 daily volume) meaning you may not be able to trade PLS easily.
• You can't directly cash out PLS for USD on major exchanges like Coinbase or Binance.
• Despite low transaction fees, PLS value is highly volatile and could drop significantly.
• Always use official PulseChain tools (PulseX, PulseBridge) and never send ETH directly to PulseChain addresses.
Pulsechain (PLS) isn't just another cryptocurrency. It’s a high-risk, high-controversy experiment built on the idea that Ethereum’s fees are too high - and that someone can fix it by copying Ethereum, then burning half its supply to make the new coin worth more. Launched on May 13, 2024, PulseChain promises faster transactions and near-zero gas fees by running as a proof-of-stake fork of Ethereum. But behind the technical claims lies a storm of skepticism, fake tokens, and a founder whose past actions divide the crypto world.
How PulseChain Works (And Why It Exists)
PulseChain was created by Richard Heart, a controversial figure in crypto known for previous projects like Hex and PulseChain’s predecessor, PulseX. His goal? To make Ethereum more accessible by taking its code, slashing its inflation rate by 25% per block, and launching a new chain where users could swap their ETH for PLS at a 1:1 ratio. The idea was simple: if you locked your ETH on Ethereum, you’d get an equal amount of PLS on PulseChain. In return, you’d pay almost nothing to send tokens, trade, or interact with apps.
Unlike Ethereum before its 2022 merge, PulseChain launched as proof-of-stake from day one. That means it doesn’t use energy-hungry mining. Validators secure the network by staking PLS tokens, and users can delegate their PLS to earn rewards. All transactions - sends, swaps, smart contracts - require PLS as gas. There’s no ETH on PulseChain. No USDT. Just PLS.
It also supports PRC20 tokens (PulseChain’s version of ERC20) and NFTs. The main exchange is PulseX, a decentralized swap platform built into the ecosystem. If you’re familiar with MetaMask on Ethereum, switching to PulseChain is as simple as adding a new network - no new wallet needed.
The Controversy: Fake Tokens, Buggy Launch, and a Divisive Founder
PulseChain’s launch was chaotic. Within hours, dozens of fake PLS tokens appeared on exchanges and DeFi platforms. Many users accidentally bought these imposter tokens, losing money before they even got real PLS. CoinMarketCap Academy called it “One of Crypto’s Most Controversial Projects” - and that’s an understatement.
The biggest issue? Liquidity. As of June 2024, the 24-hour trading volume for PLS hovered between $3,700 and $17,000. That’s less than the cost of a used smartphone. Compare that to Ethereum’s daily volume of over $10 billion. Without real trading activity, PLS can’t move in price reliably. It’s not a currency - it’s a speculative bet.
Richard Heart’s reputation didn’t help. He’s been accused of running pyramid-like schemes, and his legal troubles (including a 2023 SEC lawsuit over Hex) made many investors wary. While some users swear by his vision - like Aubrey de Grey of SENS Research Foundation, who said PulseChain helped fund millions in charitable research - others see him as a con artist. Protos reported that early participants were “bleeding value” because they couldn’t bridge their locked ETH back out when prices dropped.
Why People Still Use PulseChain
Despite the noise, a small but loyal group still uses PulseChain. Why? Because for tiny transactions, it’s free.
On Ethereum, sending a simple token might cost $5-$20 in gas. On PulseChain? Often less than a cent. That makes it ideal for microtransactions, tipping, or testing DeFi apps without risking big fees. For users who don’t care about exchange listings or institutional backing, PulseChain delivers on its core promise: low-cost, fast Ethereum-like transactions.
Some also stake PLS to earn rewards. Validators earn new PLS tokens for securing the network. Delegators earn a share of those rewards - sometimes 10-15% annually, depending on the validator. That’s attractive to people who believe in the long-term value of PLS, even if the market doesn’t yet.
The charitable angle also matters. Richard Heart claims PulseChain has donated millions to causes like SENS Research Foundation, which works on anti-aging science. Whether those donations came from real user activity or self-funded pools is debated. But for some, the mission justifies the risk.
The Downsides: Liquidity, Centralization, and No Future?
Here’s the cold truth: PulseChain is not a replacement for Ethereum. It’s a side project with almost no real-world adoption.
No major exchanges list PLS. Not Binance. Not Coinbase. Not Kraken. That means you can’t buy PLS with a credit card or easily cash out. You need to trade it on PulseX or OTC desks - where prices are often manipulated. One report from June 2024 said OTC dealers were charging 30-50% premiums just to sell locked PLS.
It’s also more centralized than it claims. While Ethereum has thousands of validators, PulseChain’s network is run by a handful of known addresses. That’s not decentralized - it’s controlled. If the main validators go offline, the chain stalls.
And then there’s the supply. PulseChain has a maximum supply of 135 trillion PLS. As of mid-2024, over 14.8 trillion were already in circulation. That’s 11% of the total. With so many tokens, even a small price increase would require massive buying pressure. Most analysts agree: unless trading volume jumps 100x, PLS will stay stuck near $0.00003.
Is PulseChain Worth It?
If you’re looking for a safe crypto investment? No. PulseChain is not that.
If you want to experiment with low-cost Ethereum-like transactions? Maybe. But only if you’re willing to accept that you might lose your money, can’t cash out easily, and are dealing with a project no mainstream institution trusts.
It’s like buying a prototype electric car built in a garage. The engine works. The lights turn on. But there’s no warranty. No service centers. And the manufacturer has been sued before.
For most people, alternatives like Polygon, Arbitrum, or Base offer the same benefits - low fees, Ethereum compatibility, and real liquidity - without the drama. They’re backed by teams with clean records and exchange listings.
PulseChain isn’t dead. It’s still running. Transactions still go through. People still stake. But its future depends on one thing: whether enough people believe in it to make it valuable. Right now, that belief is fragile.
How to Get Started (If You Still Want To)
If you decide to try PulseChain, here’s how to do it safely:
- Install MetaMask if you don’t have it.
- Add the PulseChain network manually using these settings:
- Network Name: PulseChain
- New RPC URL: https://rpc.pulsechain.com
- Chain ID: 369
- Symbol: PLS
- Block Explorer URL: https://scan.pulsechain.com
- Get PLS from the official PulseBridge (pulsechain.com/bridge). Never use third-party bridges.
- Only trade on PulseX - never buy PLS from unverified exchanges.
- Never send ETH directly to a PulseChain address. Always use the bridge.
And never invest more than you’re willing to lose. PLS has dropped over 85% from its peak. It could drop further.
Is Pulsechain (PLS) a scam?
PulseChain isn’t a classic scam - it’s a real blockchain that processes transactions. But it’s built on risky assumptions, has a controversial founder, and suffers from low liquidity and fake tokens. Many experts call it a speculative gamble, not a legitimate crypto project. It’s not illegal, but it’s far from safe.
Can I buy PLS on Coinbase or Binance?
No. As of 2025, no major centralized exchange lists PLS. You can only buy it on decentralized platforms like PulseX or through over-the-counter (OTC) trades, which often carry high premiums and risks.
How is PulseChain different from Ethereum?
PulseChain is a fork of Ethereum with faster blocks, lower fees (near zero), and a 25% lower token issuance rate. It uses proof-of-stake like Ethereum post-merge, but lacks its security, liquidity, and developer base. You can bridge ETH to PLS 1:1, but you can’t use Ethereum apps directly on PulseChain.
What’s the point of staking PLS?
Staking PLS lets you earn new tokens as rewards for helping secure the network. Validators get block rewards, and delegators earn a share. Annual returns can be 10-15%, but only if the network stays active and PLS holds value - which is uncertain.
Can I cash out PLS for USD?
Not easily. There’s no direct way to sell PLS for USD on major platforms. You’d need to trade it for ETH or USDT on PulseX, then bridge it back to Ethereum and sell on an exchange. This process is slow, expensive, and risky due to low liquidity.
Is PulseChain still active in 2025?
Yes. The blockchain is still running. Transactions are processed, validators are active, and PulseX still functions. But trading volume remains extremely low, and no major upgrades or partnerships have been announced since its 2024 launch.
What happened to the original PulseChain airdrop?
The airdrop allowed Ethereum holders to claim PLS by locking ETH in a smart contract. But many users lost access to their claims due to fake websites, wrong addresses, or failing to complete steps correctly. The airdrop is now closed, and no new claims are being accepted.
Final Thoughts
PulseChain is a bold idea that failed to become a movement. It solved one problem - high fees - but created ten others: no liquidity, no trust, no future roadmap, and a founder who polarizes everyone. It’s not dead, but it’s not alive either. It’s stuck in limbo.
For most people, it’s not worth the risk. For a tiny group of believers, it’s a passion project. If you’re curious, treat it like a $5 experiment - not an investment. Watch what happens. But don’t bet your savings on it.
9 Comments
MANGESH NEEL
October 28, 2025 AT 20:52 PMThis is peak crypto delusion. A 135-trillion-supply coin with $17k volume? That's not a blockchain, it's a math problem designed to make rich guys feel smart while everyone else gets rug-pulled. And don't get me started on Richard Heart - he's not an innovator, he's a carnival barker with a whitepaper. I've seen this movie before. The ending is always the same.
Sean Huang
October 29, 2025 AT 22:06 PMYou think this is about crypto? No. This is about control. The system wants you to believe in Ethereum because it needs you to pay fees. Pulsechain is the rebellion. They're not trying to build a coin. They're trying to break the matrix. And you? You're still using MetaMask like a sheep. The real scam is thinking you're safe on Ethereum. They're watching you. Always.
Ali Korkor
October 30, 2025 AT 09:05 AMLook i know it sounds wild but if you just wanna send a few bucks without paying 15 bucks in gas this thing actually works. I tipped my buddy 500 PLS for coffee and it cost me 0.000002 PLS. Thats like paying a penny to send a dollar. If you dont care about price just wanna use it? Try it. Worst case you lose a few bucks. Best case you found a gem.
madhu belavadi
October 30, 2025 AT 15:55 PMI lost my entire savings on this. I thought it was the future. I watched the videos. I trusted him. I thought he was different. Now I cant even get my ETH back. I dont even know if the bridge is real anymore. I just sit here staring at my wallet. 14.8 trillion PLS and I cant buy a sandwich.
Dick Lane
October 31, 2025 AT 14:31 PMI get why people are mad. But i also get why some of us still use it. Its not about the money. Its about the idea. That you can build something fast and cheap and free. Even if its small. Even if no one else cares. Its still there. Still running. Still letting people send tokens without begging for gas. Thats kind of beautiful in a weird way
Norman Woo
November 1, 2025 AT 23:32 PMu know what i think? i think pulsechain is a honeypot. they want you to bridge ur eth. then they drain it. then they make fake tokens. then they make you think its real. then they vanish. but wait… what if its worse? what if theyre not vanishing? what if theyre just waiting? for the next wave of idiots to come in? i think theyre building something bigger. and we’re all just test subjects
James Young
November 2, 2025 AT 13:49 PMYou people are pathetic. You’re comparing a prototype garage car to Ethereum? Ethereum has 100,000+ developers. PulseChain has one guy with a Discord account and a YouTube channel. You think staking 10% APY is smart? That’s the yield of a dying corpse. If you’re still holding PLS after reading this, you don’t deserve to own crypto. You deserve a hobby. Like knitting.
Chloe Jobson
November 3, 2025 AT 02:56 AMThe PRC20 standard is actually quite elegant. Minimal gas overhead, deterministic finality, and the validator set is surprisingly stable given the volume. The real issue isn't the tech - it's the narrative. When you tie a project to a personality cult, liquidity becomes a byproduct of faith, not utility. That’s the trap.
Andrew Morgan
November 3, 2025 AT 19:57 PMI tried it. I lost 20 bucks. I didn’t cry. I laughed. I felt like i was part of something weird and real. Like that time i tried to make a website with geocities and it got 3 visitors. But those 3 were real people. And they liked it. Pulsechain is that. Not the future. Not the revolution. Just… something. That’s enough for me.