Guide · 3 min read
Why you received less than the swap estimate
By the AltoSwap team · Reviewed and updated · Editorial policy
Short answerA swap marked with the sign ≈ is an estimate at a floating rate. The final amount is set when your deposit confirms, so it moves with the market in the minutes between the quote and the confirmation. A deposit that arrived slightly short lowers it as well. For an amount that does not move, use a fixed rate.
The three usual reasons
- The rate moved. A floating rate is fixed at the moment your deposit confirms. On a slow network that can be half an hour after the quote.
- Less arrived than you entered. If your wallet took its fee out of the amount, the swap converted a smaller deposit.
- The network fee for the payout changed. It is part of the rate, and on a busy network it rises.
How large the difference normally is
On a calm market, a fraction of a percent. During a sharp move it can be several percent in either direction: a floating rate can also pay more than the estimate. The swap page shows the amount actually sent once the swap is completed.
How to get an exact amount
A fixed rate locks the amount for a short time. You receive exactly what was quoted if the stated deposit arrives inside that window. In return the rate is usually a little lower, because the exchange carries the risk of the price moving.
On AltoSwap, Private Send works this way: you state the exact amount that must arrive, and the quote tells you what to send.
When to ask support
If the amount you received is far from the estimate and the market did not move much, contact support with your swap ID. The record of the swap shows what was deposited, at what rate it was converted and what was paid out.
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