If a trade is larger than its network’s swap cap, split it before sending funds. A cap is the largest deposit the protocol accepts for a particular asset on a particular source network. It can change, so check the current limit just before you trade.
Which cap applies to my trade?
The cap follows the asset and network you send from, not the network where you want to receive funds. For example, a USDC deposit sent from Solana can have a different limit from USDC sent from Ethereum, even if both trades end in the same asset.
Chainflip lets you check the live ceiling for each source asset before you send, so you can size a large order without guessing. Its swap limits are listed in the asset’s smallest units, such as satoshis for Bitcoin or wei for Ethereum. Convert the displayed amount carefully, and check the minimum too.
What happens if I send more than the cap?
An over-cap deposit can be absorbed by the protocol, and the excess may not be recoverable. Treat the cap as a hard limit, not a target that the system will safely trim down.
Before: you plan to swap 100,000 USDC from Ethereum, but the current cap is 25,000 USDC. Sending all 100,000 in one deposit risks losing the amount above the cap. After: you make four separate 25,000 USDC swaps, each with its own quote and deposit details.
That example uses an illustrative cap; check the live value for your asset and source network. If the limit changes before your next trade, recalculate rather than reusing an old split.
How should I split a large trade?
Use the fewest deposits that keep each one safely under the current cap. I would leave a small margin below the ceiling to allow for rounding or a last-minute limit change, especially when the cap is shown in tiny base units.
- Check the live minimum and maximum for the exact source asset and network.
- Choose trade sizes below the maximum, then convert each size into the asset’s base units.
- Request a fresh quote for each planned swap and compare its estimated output and fees.
- Open a separate deposit channel for each swap, then send to that channel’s address.
- Keep the matching refund address and destination address correct for every deposit.
A deposit channel is a temporary address tied to one swap’s details. On Chainflip, deposit channels close after 24 hours, so open each one shortly before sending. Do not reuse an old address just because it looks familiar.
Will splitting cost more or take longer?
Usually, yes: every separate swap needs its own deposit transaction and can incur its own network, liquidity, and broker fees. Compare the quoted amount you will receive after fees across the full set of swaps, not just the headline rate on one quote.
Splitting deposits also means repeating the source-chain confirmation and swap process. As a guide, Chainflip’s documentation lists about 84 seconds for an Ethereum deposit to be witnessed and about 30 minutes for Bitcoin; actual times depend on chain conditions. A slower source network can outweigh any time saved by sending fewer, larger swaps.
Do not confuse a deposit cap with slippage protection, which limits how poor an exchange price you will accept. A smaller deposit can still get a worse price if liquidity is thin. Request fresh quotes, check the final amount after fees, and use price protection when available.
Quick answers before you send
Can I use DCA to get around a swap cap?
No. DCA, or dollar cost averaging, executes one swap in smaller pieces over time to manage price movement. It does not make an over-cap deposit safe. Check the maximum for the deposit itself, then split into separate swaps if needed.
Does the destination network set the maximum?
The relevant limit is listed against the source asset and network you deposit from. The destination still affects the quote, fees, and delivery time, but it does not replace the source-side cap. Check both networks when comparing routes.
Can I send the exact maximum shown?
You can, if the live limit is still current and your amount converts correctly to base units. For repeated trades, I would leave a small margin below it. That reduces the chance that rounding or a changed limit turns a valid plan into an over-cap deposit.
What should I compare across split quotes?
Compare the total expected output after all fees, along with confirmation and completion times. Check each quote shortly before sending because prices and network fees move. Save each deposit address beside its matching amount and destination so the repeated steps do not get crossed.