> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-hub/faq/what-to-do-during-times-of-high-onchain-fees.md).

# What to do during times of high onchain fees?

Opening a payment channel incurs cost of a transaction on the bitcoin blockchain. There may be periods of time when onchain fees are high and opening a channel is more costly. You can track the fees anytime on [mempool.space](https://mempool.space/).\
\
**Here are two options ✌️**

#### Compare prices to open a payment channel

You want to increase your receiving capacity and therefore open a payment channel. Click on "Increase" Receiving Capacity on the Node page of your Hub and open the "Advanced" section. You'll find various channel partners. Select one and continue. You'll see its fees on the next screen. Repeat the process several times and select the one with the lowest fees.

{% content-ref url="/pages/tNn4FDvntA66x14CxLW7" %}
[Increase receiving capacity](/user-guide/alby-hub/node/increase-receiving-capacity.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

#### Open a payment channel with onchain BTC

Open a payment channel with your own BTC will incur one onchain transaction and cost less than purchasing a channel as described before. Note, you'll have to pay for another transaction when you close the channel. But this can be at a later point in time.

{% content-ref url="/pages/gJIYHCgjSsFqWpV9J7vl" %}
[Advanced: Increase Lightning Balance with on-chain bitcoin](/user-guide/alby-hub/node/advanced-increase-lightning-balance-with-on-chain-bitcoin.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://guides.getalby.com/user-guide/alby-hub/faq/what-to-do-during-times-of-high-onchain-fees.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.