The flow varies by network, token, and protocol, but the principle is consistent: funds are not first deposited into a DEX account. Your wallet prepares and authorizes interaction with on-chain infrastructure.
Typical stages
- Choose input token, output token, network, and amount.
- Review a quote with estimated output, costs, and tolerances.
- Approve the token when the contract lacks sufficient permission; native assets work differently.
- Sign or confirm from the wallet.
- Submit to the network, wait for confirmation, and receive the resulting asset.
Illustrative flow
- Choose USDC and another token on the same network.
- Review expected output, gas, price impact, and route details.
- Approve USDC spending if required.
- Confirm the swap in your wallet and wait for network confirmation.
Approval is not the swap
An approval lets a contract use a token under defined conditions. The swap is the later operation. Read each request separately before signing.
Final receipt depends on the conditions and rules shown before confirmation; a quote can change before blockchain inclusion.