What is a non-custodial swap?

A non-custodial swap is one where the service never takes control of your funds or your private keys. You send from your own wallet, and the swapped asset arrives in your own wallet — the platform only routes the trade.

Custodial vs non-custodial

• Custodial (most centralised exchanges): you deposit funds into an account the company controls, trade inside their system, then withdraw. They hold your balance the whole time, usually require an account and identity verification, and you trust them not to lose or freeze it.
• Non-custodial (route-based swaps): there's no account and no balance held on your behalf. Funds move wallet-to-wallet; the platform finds and executes a route between the two assets.

How a route-based swap works

1. You choose what you have and what you want.
2. You get a quote and a one-time deposit address for the route.
3. You send your asset to that deposit address from your own wallet.
4. The route executes and the destination asset is delivered to your wallet.
5. If it can't complete, funds return to your refund address.

Because nothing is held on your behalf, there's no sign-up and no balance to withdraw — but it also means you are responsible for sending on the correct network and double-checking addresses.

CryptoRoute is non-custodial: swaps route via NEAR Intents, no account is required, and we never hold your balance or keys.