Understanding gasless transactions on EVM networks
Gasless transactions let you swap on supported EVM networks without needing the network's native gas token in your wallet, for example ETH on Ethereum or Robinhood Chain, or USDC on Arc.
You may be offered a gasless swap even if you already have enough native gas token to cover the fee.
Gasless works for same-chain swaps and for cross-chain swaps where the source network is EVM.
How gasless swaps work #
Depending on eligibility, Phantom may use the following approaches:
- Paying with another token. Phantom can use most reasonably liquid, non-scam ERC-20 tokens to pay the network fee. This includes stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and USDG, as well as WETH and other tokens. Phantom selects the token automatically. Supported tokens vary by network.
- Paying with the token you're receiving. Phantom can also use the token you're receiving from the swap to pay the fee, even if you don't hold any of it yet. This means you can sell your full balance of a token without keeping some back for fees.
- Sponsored fees. In some cases, Phantom pays the network fee for you. This can happen even if you have enough native token in your wallet.
Gasless swaps still incur real network fees. Phantom is either sponsoring them or collecting them in another token, not eliminating them.
Enable gasless transactions #
Phantom shows one of two prompts, depending on which fee mechanism applies:
- Paying with another token. Phantom shows a brief notice confirming which token will be used, for example "The network fee will be paid with USDC." No separate approval step is needed. Select Disable Gasless to opt out, or Okay to proceed.
- Sponsored fees. When Phantom covers the fee directly, it shows a "Sponsored fees" notice. This still upgrades your account with smart account delegation. Select Disable Gasless to opt out, or Okay to proceed.
About smart account delegation #
Upgrading your account delegates it to Alchemy's smart contract, which is what enables sponsored or alternate-token gas payments. Alchemy's implementation has been independently audited and is covered by a bug bounty program.
- Your wallet address stays the same, and you continue to control your assets. Upgrading is optional and only affects swaps. It does not make sends gasless.
- Delegation stays active until you remove it.
- A compromise of Alchemy's smart contract could put assets at risk; this is why the audit and bug bounty exist.
- The delegation uses the EIP-7702 Ethereum standard.
To remove delegation, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Remove account delegation. After removing it, swaps return to the standard network fee model.
Current limitations #
Gasless sends are currently not supported.