A cross-chain swap lets you trade a token on one network for a token on a different network. For example, you can turn SOL into BTC, or ETH on Ethereum into ETH on Robinhood Chain. Cross-chain swaps are powered by bridges, so you'll also hear them called "bridging."

How cross-chain swaps work #

A bridge is a third-party service that locks or burns your tokens on the source network, then releases or mints equivalent tokens on the destination network. When you swap between two blockchains, Phantom sends your transaction through a bridge.

Phantom works with several bridge providers, including LI.FI (which integrates tools like Mayan), Relay, deBridge, and Garden. Its quote engine compares them and, by default, picks the lowest-priced option. You can choose a provider yourself in the swap settings.

What happens during a cross-chain swap #

1. Prepare: if needed, your token is swapped or wrapped on the source network. For example, SOL becomes USDC on Solana before bridging.
2. Lock or burn: the bridge locks or burns your tokens on the source network.
3. Confirm: validators or relayers confirm the transaction on both networks. Most of the wait happens here.
4. Release or mint: the bridge releases or mints tokens on the destination network. If the token it delivers isn't the one you chose, Phantom runs a final same-network swap.

Each step needs confirmations on its own blockchain, so cross-chain swaps take longer than same-network swaps. Timing varies by route, network congestion, and provider.

Fees #

A cross-chain swap can involve three costs:

• Phantom fee: 0.85% on most swaps.
• Bridge fee: what the bridge provider charges to move your tokens between networks.
• Network fees: the gas for transactions on the source and destination networks.

In the Buy/Sell flow on mobile, the bridge fee appears in the Network fee line. On the Trade screen, it appears as a separate Cross Chain Swap Fee. To compare bridge fees across providers, open swap settings and then select Provider before you confirm.

Some routes show no gas cost, for example when the swap is gasless, so the total depends on your route.

Minimum swap amount #

Cross-chain swaps and swaps on Robinhood Chain may have a minimum of $2 (USD value). Fixed costs like gas and bridge fees take up a large share of very small swaps. They can make a quote unavailable or leave you with much less than you sent. If your amount is below the minimum, increase it to continue.