What is the smallest amount I should swap first to make sure everything works

07 September 2026

One dollar's worth, or the minimum allowed by the source chain's network rules - whichever is larger. That is the smallest test amount you should send before committing a real sum.

The logic is simple. You are not testing whether the swap technology works. That is proven. You are testing whether you have performed every step correctly, and whether the particular coins you chose can move through the exchanger without a hidden problem. A one-dollar test reveals mistakes without costing you much if something goes wrong.

Why not send less than one dollar?

Most blockchains have dust limits. A transaction output below a certain value cannot be spent, because the cost to move it would exceed its worth. Bitcoin, for example, typically rejects outputs under about 5000 satoshis (roughly $1 - 2 depending on price). Ethereum and many token contracts also reject transfers of extremely small amounts. If you send 20 cents, the transaction may vanish into a black hole - or sit unspendable forever.

Check the minimum swap amount shown on the exchange page. That number exists for exactly this reason. It is the smallest amount the system can process reliably. Use it.

What are you testing with that small amount?

Three things:

1. You sent to the right address. A typo in a single character usually destroys the funds. A one-dollar test proves your copy-paste worked.
2. The deposit was detected. After you send, the site should show a pending or received status. If it does not, you have a network problem or a browser issue - better to discover it with $1 than $500.
3. The swap executed and returned funds to you. The destination wallet should show the swapped coins arriving. If they do not, the problem might be a token contract that the exchanger cannot handle, or a memo/tag you forgot. That is exactly the kind of thing you want to catch early.

What if the test swap succeeds?

Then you know the process works for that specific coin pair and that specific amount range. Send your real amount next. The same address, the same steps.

What if the test swap fails?

Do not repeat the attempt with a larger sum hoping it will fix itself. Contact support. Describe exactly what you sent, to what address, and what the status page showed. They can often recover small test amounts if the failure was on their side. If the failure was your error, the test saved you real money.

A note on timing

A test swap adds time. You wait for confirmations twice - once for the test, once for the real transaction. Some people skip the test because they are in a hurry. That is a bet. If you are swapping an amount you would be upset to lose, take the extra ten minutes to prove the path.

When you should absolutely not skip the test

• You are swapping a coin you have never used before.
• You are swapping to a token contract you have never received before.
• The destination requires a memo, tag, or destination tag (common with exchanges and some wallets).
• You are using a coin that forks or has multiple versions (for example, Bitcoin Cash versus Bitcoin SV).
• You are tired, distracted, or doing this late at night.

What the hub page explains next

The page titled "What a swap actually does with your coins" walks through exactly what happens to your test amount after you click send - how it moves from your wallet to the exchanger's temporary address, gets converted, and arrives at your destination. That is the natural next page to read after you have confirmed your test swap succeeded.

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