For this guide, we will be focusing on the first definition of token swap. As mentioned earlier, this entails the use of seamless crypto-to-crypto exchange
services rather than the often cost-inefficient and time-consuming approach of converting a digital asset to fiat before subsequently using the fiat to buy your
desired coin. In most cases, this solution provides an easier gateway to cryptocurrencies with low market capitalization. For example, if you want to exchange
your COMP coin to ZIL, you will most likely discover that exchanges that provide the COMP/ZIL trading pair are few and far between. As such, you may have to
first trade your COMP tokens for fiat currencies or other established coins like BTC, ETH and USDT. From there you can exchange the popular coins or fiat
directly to ZIL. You will agree that this process is long and cost-ineffective. To execute such a trade, you would have to pay transaction fees at least more
than once. Also, it is impossible to gauge how price volatility can impact the profitability of the trade. Remember that the prices of crypto assets are often
volatile. Therefore, the above-mentioned approach could make it difficult to achieve your desired price entry. In light of these drawbacks, exchanges, wallets,
and other platforms began enabling instant swap functionalities. With this, users can exchange a crypto asset for another directly. All you need to do is enter
the amount you want to exchange and your desired trading pair and the token swap service would instantly process and convert your coin. With this form of
transacting, you only have to pay transaction fees once. Platforms with token swapping offer a convenient and secure crypto-to-crypto gateway: you can do all
the exchanging you want from either a custodial or non-custodial wallet. Depending on the robustness of your wallet, you may not need to transfer your coins to
a crypto swapping service or exchange before accessing an instant crypto-to-crypto exchange feature. Wallet providers often incorporate crypto swapping services
so that users can convert their coins securely from their personal wallets. Essentially, what such crypto swapping services bring to the table is simplicity,
speed, affordability and security. Some even go as far as allowing users to buy cryptocurrencies with credit or debit cards. Examples of solutions offering
dedicated crypto swapping services are Changelly, Shapeshift, ChangeNow,and Simpleswap. Exchanges, investment platforms and wallets like globalbitminner have
also begun to create their in-house swapping services. Moreover, the DeFi craze of 2020 further spurred the emergence of DeFi token swap solutions. The same
trend is currently sweeping across the NFT market. When it comes to token swaps, the options are practically unlimited. Owing to the explosion of swapping
services, it has become increasingly important for us to introduce similar services to our portfolio. What should I look out for in a good coin/token swap
platform? Things to look out for include the availability of a wide array of crypto pairs, the security prowess of the platform and the speed at which coins are
swapped. Note that high speed negates the possibility of slippage. Slippage occurs when the number of cryptocurrency A you receive in exchange for another
cryptocurrency B steeply declines before the transaction is finalized. It is worth mentioning that some services eliminate slippage by offering fixed swap rates
that are held from the start of the transaction to its finalization. The only added requirement of such offers is that you may have to pay a higher transaction
fee. What Does the Future Hold for Token Swap Services? While Bitcoin remains the go-to crypto asset for many new investors, it is their foray into the altcoin
market that eventually exposes them to the myriad of opportunities embedded in the digital asset space. This is where token swap services enter the fray. They
double down on user experience and put mechanisms in place to unlock the altcoin market to users that lack the technical expertise required to navigate crypto
exchanges. As the crypto industry continues to gravitate towards mainstream adoption, expect token swaps services to become more prominent. However, this
expectation puts added pressure on service providers to improve their offerings. The onus is on them to boost security, increase swap speed and deliver more
user-centric features.