Cross-chain DEX with validator-secured vaults and competitive CEX-like pricing
Overview
Chainflip is a cross-chain decentralized exchange that has processed billions in swap volume across major asset pairs, including native BTC, ETH, and SOL. It uses a TSS/MPC based vault system operated by a permissionless 100 of 150 proof-of-stake validator network to securely manage cross-chain assets.
Through SwapKit, developers can integrate Chainflip alongside THORChain, Maya Protocol, and NEAR Intents — enabling competitive routing and automatic fallback across multiple liquidity sources.
Supported Chains
Chainflip currently supports native asset swaps between:
- Bitcoin (BTC) – Native Bitcoin support without wrapping
- Ethereum (ETH) – Plus major ERC-20 tokens (USDC, USDT)
- Solana (SOL) – Native Solana support with SPL tokens
Expanding Coverage: Chainflip plans to add Cosmos, Avalanche, and other major networks, with architecture built to integrate seamlessly with any blockchain network, uniquely positioning us to enable native asset transfers across both established and emerging ecosystems.
Protocol Fees
Chainflip uses a competitive fee structure designed to rival centralized exchanges:
Liquidity Fees
- Range: 1-10 basis points
- Market competitive: Designed to compete with CEX pricing
- Dynamic optimization: Adjusts based on market conditions and liquidity
- Purpose: Maintains validator network security and liquidity provider rewards
Network Fees
- Gas coverage: Covers destination chain transaction costs
- Validator fees: Minimal fees for validator network operations
- No hidden costs: Transparent fee structure with no surprise charges
- Maximum fee range pending final confirmation
Competitive Advantage: Thanks to these innovations, Chainflip is now competing with centralized exchange pricing for major pairs, a major milestone for DeFi
Example: BTC → SOL Swap via SwapKit
import { SwapKitApi } from "@swapkit/api";
// Get Chainflip quote
const quotes = await SwapKitApi.getQuote({
sellAsset: "BTC.BTC",
buyAsset: "SOL.SOL",
sellAmount: "1000000", // 0.01 BTC in satoshis
providers: ["CHAINFLIP"]
});
const chainflipQuote = quotes[0];
console.log({
expectedOutput: chainflipQuote.expectedOutput,
liquidityFee: chainflipQuote.fees.liquidity,
networkFee: chainflipQuote.fees.network,
totalFees: chainflipQuote.fees.total,
estimatedTime: chainflipQuote.timeEstimate
});
// Execute the swap
const result = await SwapKitApi.executeSwap({
route: chainflipQuote,
userAddress: "your-btc-address"
});
Benefits of Using Chainflip via SwapKit
- 💰 CEX-Competitive Pricing
- Ultra-low fees (1-10bps) designed to compete directly with centralized exchange pricing for major trading pairs.
- 🔐 Validator Security Model
- TSS/MPC vault system secured by a permissionless validator network with economic incentives and fraud proofs.
- ⚡ Fast Settlement
- Optimized for speed with efficient cross-chain execution and minimal confirmation requirements.
- 🌐 Strategic Chain Selection
- Focused on the most liquid and widely used chains: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polkadot, and Solana.
- 🔄 Unified Integration
- Same SwapKit API structure as other providers for a consistent developer experience and easy multi-provider routing.
- 🛡️ Enhanced Redundancy
- Provides additional liquidity source when combined with THORChain, Maya, and NEAR Intents through SwapKit.
Recent Chainflip Developments
- Mainnet Launch Success
- Mainnet launched in December 2023 after more than 3 years of development and extensive testnet validation.
- Major Partnership Integrations
- In 2024, they teamed up with some of the most exciting names in the space: THORSwap, Squid, Rango, THORWallet – bringing Chainflip’s competitive liquidity to major DeFi aggregators.
- Billions in Volume Processed
- Has processed billions in swap volume across major asset pairs, demonstrating real-world adoption and liquidity depth.
- L2 and AltVM Integration Focus
- The explosive growth of L2s and AltVMs highlighted the increasing demand for robust cross-chain connectivity. Chainflip’s architecture, built to integrate seamlessly with any blockchain network, uniquely positions us for expanding ecosystem support.
Chainflip vs Other Protocols
| Feature | Chainflip | THORChain | Maya Protocol | NEAR Intents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidity Fee | 1-10bp | 5-50bps | 10-20bps | 1bps |
| Bitcoin Support | ✅ Native | ✅ Native + Taproot | ✅ Native + Taproot+ | ✅ Native |
| Security Model | Validator/TSS | Over-collateralized | Over-collateralized | Intent-based |
| Pricing Focus | ✅ CEX-competitive | DeFi standard | DeFi standard | Ultra-low fees |
| Chain Coverage | 4 chains (strategic) | 11 chains | 8 chains | 15+ chains |
| Launch Status | ✅ Mainnet (Dec 2023) | ✅ Mature | ✅ Mature | ✅ Live |
Real-World Integrations
Production Deployments:
- THORSwap – Major DEX aggregator integrating Chainflip liquidity
- Squid Router – Cross-chain routing protocol utilizing Chainflip
- Rango Exchange – Multi-chain DEX aggregator with Chainflip integration
- THORWallet – Non-custodial wallet enabling Chainflip swaps
Architecture & Security
TSS/MPC Vault System
- Threshold Signature Schemes for distributed key management
- Multi-Party Computation eliminates single points of failure
- Permissionless validator network with 100 of 150 active validators
Multiple Security Layers
- Fraud proofs for detecting malicious behavior
- Delayed execution periods for additional security validation
- Validator rotation mechanisms preventing centralization
- Economic slashing for validator misbehavior
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does Chainflip achieve CEX-competitive pricing?
Chainflip’s validator-based architecture and focus on major trading pairs allows for ultra-low fees (1-10bps) that compete directly with centralized exchanges.
Q: Why choose Chainflip over THORChain?
Chainflip offers lower fees for supported pairs and faster execution, while THORChain provides broader chain coverage. Using both through SwapKit gives you the best of both worlds.
Q: Does SwapKit add markup to Chainflip fees?
No. SwapKit passes through Chainflip’s native fee structure transparently with no additional markup.
Q: What happens if Chainflip validators go offline?
SwapKit automatically detects network issues and routes through THORChain, Maya Protocol, or NEAR Intents as backup options.
Q: When will more chains be added?
Chainflip is actively working on Cosmos and Avalanche integrations, with plans to expand to other major networks based on demand and liquidity.
Integration Resources
- SwapKit Documentation – Complete integration guide
- Chainflip Developer Docs – Protocol-specific documentation
- SwapKit GitHub – Open source SDK and examples
- Chainflip Explorer – Network statistics and monitoring
Ready to integrate Chainflip swaps? Get started with SwapKit