Swap & Bridge with Symbiosis
Symbiosis guide: Swaps
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Symbiosis guide: Swaps
Last updated
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This guide covers settings, fees for on-chain and cross-chain operations, and how to swap tokens using the . You’ll also find tips on tracking and troubleshooting your swaps.
For Tron-related swaps, see Swap & Bridge To and From Tron
For Bitcoin-related swaps, check Swap & Bridge To and From Bitcoin
For common questions and solutions, check out our
Before making a swap in the Symbiosis WebApp, take a moment to review the details carefully. This guide breaks them down for you step by step.
You can adjust the settings by clicking the cogwheel icon. Here’s what you can configure:
Slippage Tolerance
What it does: This is the percentage of the trade value you’re willing to accept as a price change.
Default value: 2%
Tips:
For stablecoin swaps, you can set a lower slippage tolerance for better accuracy.
Be cautious: a low slippage tolerance may result in higher transaction fees, processing delays, or even transaction failure.
Trade Deadline
What it does: Automatically cancels the swap if it exceeds the specified time limit.
Defaults:
On-chain swaps: 20 minutes.
Cross-chain swaps: 24 hours (this value is fixed and cannot be changed).
How to Adjust Settings:
Click the cogwheel icon in the interface.
Enter a new value for slippage tolerance or the trade deadline (on-chain swaps only).
Press the Save Changes button.
Done ∎
Requirements:
Ensure you have enough native assets in your wallet to pay for transaction fees on the source network.
Steps to Perform a Cross-Chain Swap:
Connect your wallet.
— (3) Estimated Time: Approximate swap duration.
— (4) Price Impact: Shows how much the trade size affects the estimated price compared to the market rate.
— (7) Price: Conversion rate for the swap.
— (8) Slippage Tolerance: Percentage of the trade value you’re willing to accept as a price change. Adjust this by clicking the gear icon.
— (9) Minimum Received: The guaranteed minimum tokens you’ll receive.
Done ∎
There are two types of swaps that you can perform through Symbiosis WebApp:
Definition: You exchange tokens on the same blockchain.
Example: Swapping ETH for USDC on Ethereum is an on-chain swap.
How to Check:
Copy the transaction hash from your wallet.
Use the block explorer of the blockchain where the swap was performed (e.g., Etherscan for Ethereum).
Definition: You exchange tokens across different blockchains.
Example: Swapping ETH on Ethereum for USDC on the BNB chain is a cross-chain swap.
How to Check:
Copy the transaction hash or address from your wallet.
Cross-chain swaps involve several transactions across chains, so checking only one transaction won’t give you the full picture.
Symbiosis Explorer collects and analyzes data from cross-chain operations performed via the Symbiosis protocol across all supported networks. It provides a detailed status of each operation, helping you track your transactions.
The "Stuck" status on a cross-chain swap indicates that the operation is taking longer than usual but is still likely to be completed.
However, if the operation cannot be completed, it will be reverted automatically or manually, depending on when it was initiated:
After February 9, 2025: Cross-chain swaps labeled "Stuck" are automatically reverted within 12 hours.
Before February 8, 2025: You will need to manually revert the swap by following this guide: Stuck Transactions
In rare cases, you may receive stablecoins (USDC, USDT), WETH, or WBTC on the destination network, even if you selected a different token as the destination token.
Why Does This Happen?
Cross-chain swaps involve exchanging assets between different blockchains, and these operations are not instantaneous. If the exchange rate on the destination network changes during the processing time and the new conditions no longer meet the stated ones, the Symbiosis protocol will deliver a stablecoin, WETH, or WBTC instead of the originally selected token.
Why stablecoins, WETH, or WBTC tokens?
Stablecoins, WETH and WBTC tokens have the same face value across different networks, making them ideal transit tokens for routing cross-chain operations within the Symbiosis protocol.
Previous Approach vs. Current Approach
Old Flow: Stuck Cross-Chain Operations Previously, if the exchange rate on the destination network changed and the swap couldn’t meet the stated conditions:
The operation was halted and the user had to send an additional transaction to revert the funds.
Tokens were refunded on the source network, meaning: users received tokens back on the source chain. Transaction and cross-chain fees were spent, even though the operation wasn’t completed.
Current Flow: Guaranteed Tokens on the Destination Network To improve user experience, Symbiosis introduced a new approach: if the swap cannot meet the stated conditions due to rate changes, then stablecoins, WETH, or WBTC are delivered directly to the destination network. This eliminates the need for users to send additional transactions or pay extra fees to recover their funds.
With the Symbiosis WebApp, you can create and manage your own custom token list. This feature is especially useful in the following scenarios:
The token you need isn’t included in the default token list.
You frequently swap a few specific tokens and want quick access to them instead of searching through the general list every time.
Steps to Add Tokens to the Custom Token List
Repeat Step 2 for every taken you want to add to your token list.
To remove a token, click the bin icon next to the token in your token list.
Done ∎
Remember, never share your pass phrases or any other sensitive information with anyone.
Navigate to the .
Choose Source Network and Token: in the Transfer from field, select the source network and token you want to swap:
Enter an amount you'd like to exchange (e.g., 0.005 ETH on zkSync Era)
Select Destination Network and Token: in the Transfer to field, select the destination network and token you'd like to receive (e.g. ETH on Optimism):
Wait for Swap Details: The WebApp will find the best rates for your selected token pair and displays details: If you encounter any messages or errors, see Common Issues and Solutions
Review Swap Details: click Show more to review all swap details carefully. Let's review the swap details of our example together: — (1) To Receive: Estimated tokens you’ll get after fees. The final amount may vary slightly based on slippage tolerance. — (2) Route: Intermediate swaps ensuring the best price.
— (5) Discount: Cross-chain fee reduction if you hold tokens. — (6) Fee: The total fees for the swap.
Set Recipient Address (Optional) By default, the recipient’s address matches the sender’s. To send assets to another address, slide the Receive assets to another wallet switch and enter the recipient’s address: !! Use self-custodial wallets only! Avoid exchange or third-party service addresses.
Switch Network (If Prompted) If prompted, click Switch network to… and confirm the action in your wallet:
Approve Tokens (If Required) If you see the Approve [Token Name] button, approve the token for use by confirming the transaction in your wallet. Note: No approval is needed for native assets like ETH.
To initiate the swap, press the Swap button:
Check and confirm the transaction in your connected wallet (e.g., Metamask):
Wait a bit the operation to be completed (you can close the window and perform other swaps in the meantime): Block confirmation: Block confirmations indicate progress, with the number of blocks varying by blockchain.
If you stay in the Symbiosis WebApp you will get a confirmation:
To check the history of your cross-chain operations, please use .
Use the to track your cross-chain operation. Note: Symbiosis Explorer does not collect information about on-chain swaps.
To open your custom token list, expand the default token list: the Transfer from or Transfer to section and click on the cogwheel icon:
Add Token: Enter the token address (1) and click the "+" sign to add the token to your custom token list (2):
Next time you go to your custom token list you will see all added tokens:
If you have any questions or encounter any issue, please contact .
For common questions and solutions, check out our
When you sign a transaction in your wallet, all the details you see in the interface are included in the transaction. Learn More about Slippage Tolerance
(1) To Receive: The estimated number of tokens you'll receive, including all fees. The final amount may vary slightly based on slippage tolerance. For instance, if 1,000 tokens are displayed as "to receive" with a 3% slippage tolerance, the final amount will be between 970 and 1,000. Always check the Minimum Received value. (2) Route: Pathway of intermediate swaps ensuring the best price.
Example route:
- ETH -> USDC (on Ethereum) via OpenOcean
- Bridging to BNB Chain via Symbiosis
- USDC -> BNB token (on BNB chain) via OpenOcean
(3) Estimated Time: Approximate time to complete the swap based on network conditions.
(4) Price Impact: Shows how much the trade size affects the estimated price compared to the market rate.
(5) Fee: The total fees for your swap.
(6) Price: Conversion rate for your swap, influenced by trade size.
(7) Slippage Tolerance: Percentage of the trade value you’re willing to accept as a price change. Adjust this by clicking the gear icon.
(8) Minimum Received: The minimum guaranteed amount you'll receive after the swap, based on current rates and settings.
