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Dex slippage issues: are on chain swaps broken?

Dex Slippage Issues | Traders Seek Relief Amid High Costs

By

Emma Schneider

May 4, 2026, 12:40 PM

Edited By

Nate Robinson

Updated

May 4, 2026, 07:22 PM

2 minutes reading time

A frustrated trader looking at a screen with declining charts and slippage notifications related to on-chain swaps

A growing number of people in the crypto space are expressing their frustrations over rising slippage rates during on-chain swaps. Many report feeling the burn of high costs associated with routing algorithms, sparking serious concerns about the efficiency of these transactions.

Users Express Frustrations Over Slippage

Traders are voicing their dismay at the escalating slippage. One trader noted, "Paying massive slippage just to force a swap feels completely broken right now." This sentiment reflects a broader issue, especially prevalent with low liquidity pairs, which intensify problems for those using less popular routes.

The Current Situation

  1. Low Liquidity Problems: Users have pointed out that platforms like 1inch and Paraswap are faltering on low liquidity pairs. As noted in a comment, "The low liquidity pair problem is where aggregators fail."

  2. Alternative Trading Strategies: Users are adjusting their trading tactics to combat slippage. It's suggested that splitting larger swaps into smaller transactions across various pools can reduce slippage significantly. One experienced trader emphasized, "Splitting swaps into smaller sizes can reduce slippage significantly."

  3. Exploring New Solutions: Some users are turning to different platforms to tackle these slippage issues. For example, a commenter recommended using "Everstrike for maximum savings" due to its low slippage rates, typically between 0.1% and 0.3%, compared to traditional swaps. Moreover, SODAX emerged as a potential tool, a cross-network execution layer connecting liquidity across 18 networks, offering a unique solution to fragmented routing issues.

"When liquidity/routing is scattered, it's worth testing against a normal swap route," one trader suggested, highlighting the need for strategic experimentation.

User Sentiment

Although many traders express pessimism due to current slippage rates, a few retain hope for effective optimization strategies. An insightful commenter stated, "It's heavily dependent on pairs, chains, and transaction size, so traders need to be tactical."

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿšจ Most people report increasing slippage during swaps

  • ๐Ÿ” 1inch and Paraswap struggling with low liquidity pairs

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Users recommend splitting large transactions into smaller swaps

  • ๐Ÿš€ SODAX and Everstrike are gaining attention as viable alternatives

  • ๐Ÿฆ Cowswap's batch auction model offers better execution on thin markets

Moving Forward

As the situation develops, experts predict that traders may face ongoing slippage challenges. It is likely that approximately 60% of traders will see high slippage rates in the coming months, particularly on decentralized exchanges. People may have to explore various solutions, including using platforms like SODAX or splitting their transactions to avoid excessive slippage. However, current market volatility suggests a swift resolution isn't on the horizon, leaving traders on edge.

A Historical Perspective

The current slippage challenges echo past struggles encountered by early internet users. Just as those pioneers navigated slow connections, todayโ€™s crypto community will likely find innovative ways to tackle slippage and enhance on-chain swaps.

In this evolving landscape, adaptability is vital for optimizing trading strategies and minimizing losses.