Short definitions stay on one reference page to avoid dozens of thin glossary URLs. Every term explains what changes during a real wallet-to-wallet exchange.
01
transaction-hash
A transaction hash is the public identifier assigned to a blockchain transaction. It lets a wallet, provider or block explorer locate the exact broadcast without exposing a private key.
Use the explorer for the network actually used. An Ethereum hash will not appear in a Bitcoin explorer, and an order ID is not a transaction hash.
Use a hash to diagnose an orderblockchain-confirmation
A confirmation means a transaction has been included in a block, with later blocks increasing its depth or finality confidence. Different networks describe finality in different ways.
An exchange provider chooses a route-specific acceptance threshold. A wallet saying confirmed does not necessarily mean the provider threshold is complete.
Compare network settlement rulesblock-explorer
A block explorer is a public interface for searching addresses, transactions, blocks and token contracts on one blockchain. It displays network evidence, not an exchange provider’s internal status.
Match the explorer to the chain. Similar 0x addresses can exist on several EVM networks, so the explorer selection itself confirms which ledger was used.
mempool
A mempool is a node’s set of valid transactions waiting for block inclusion. Bitcoin and some other networks use the term directly; implementation details vary by blockchain.
A transaction can be broadcast and visible before it has a confirmation. Fee selection and network demand can affect how long it waits.
Bitcoin confirmations and miner feesgas
Gas measures computational work for a smart-contract transaction. The wallet pays a gas fee with the network’s native asset, such as ETH on Ethereum or BNB on BNB Smart Chain.
Holding an ERC-20 or BEP-20 token does not automatically provide gas. The sender needs the native asset on the same chain.
See where network cost fitsutxo
An unspent transaction output is a spendable unit created by an earlier blockchain transaction. Bitcoin and Litecoin wallets combine UTXOs as inputs and normally create a payment output plus change.
A wallet spending many small UTXOs can create a larger transaction and therefore a larger size-based miner fee.
Bitcoin UTXO exchange guideevm-network
An EVM network implements an Ethereum-compatible execution environment. Ethereum, BNB Smart Chain, Base, Arbitrum, Optimism and Polygon can use familiar 0x accounts while maintaining separate ledgers.
Compatibility does not make deposits interchangeable. The network and token contract must match the receiving service.
Respond to a wrong EVM networktoken-contract
A token contract defines balances and transfer rules for an asset on a smart-contract network. A ticker alone is not a unique token identity because unrelated or bridged contracts can reuse similar symbols.
Verify the network and contract representation expected by a wallet or custodial deposit before sending.
02
deposit-address
A deposit address is the blockchain destination that receives the asset being sent into an exchange order. It belongs to one asset, network and order instruction set.
Do not reuse an address from an older order. Copy the current address and any memo or tag from the active payment screen.
Follow the complete order flowdestination-address
A destination address receives the converted payout. It must support the exact output asset and network chosen in the quote.
The same-looking address on another chain is not automatically supported, and a custodial destination can require an extra identifier.
refund-address
A refund address is a compatible wallet for returning the original deposit asset when an eligible exchange cannot complete. It is not the same as the payout destination unless both assets and networks are identical.
Use an address for the source asset on the source network. Refund eligibility and network costs depend on provider conditions.
memo-or-tag
A memo or tag is an additional identifier used by some shared custodial addresses. The address reaches the service; the identifier can assign the transfer to an internal recipient.
Copy both values from the same deposit screen. Do not invent a tag when a self-custody wallet does not supply one.
Address, memo and tag guideseed-phrase
A seed phrase is a human-readable backup that can derive the private keys controlling a wallet. Anyone who obtains it can usually move the wallet’s assets.
An exchange needs public routing information, never a seed phrase. Treat every support request for wallet secrets as hostile.
Exchange security checklistself-custody
Self-custody means the user controls the private keys authorizing wallet transactions. It transfers responsibility for backup, network selection and transaction approval to the user.
A wallet-to-wallet exchange can begin and end in self-custody even though the provider necessarily handles an order deposit during conversion.
Custody models explained03
exchange-quote
An exchange quote is an executable estimate for one amount, direction, pair of networks and rate type. It can also include a minimum, time window and provider conditions.
A price chart is not a quote. Request a fresh quote when the route, amount or timer changes.
How quote conditions workfixed-rate
A fixed exchange rate aims to protect a stated payout for a limited deposit window and under exact route and amount conditions.
Fixed does not mean permanent. Late, partial or different deposits can fall outside the protected quote.
Fixed versus floating examplefloating-rate
A floating rate follows executable market and liquidity conditions until conversion. The final payout can be higher or lower than the first estimate.
Source-chain confirmation time increases the period during which market conditions can move.
spread
Spread is the difference between reference buy and sell pricing or between a market reference and executable conversion pricing. It can absorb liquidity and service costs.
Compare the net payout for the same amount, time and networks rather than relying on a zero-fee label.
Separate every exchange costslippage
Slippage is the difference between an expected execution price and the price achieved, often caused by market movement or limited liquidity while an order executes.
It is related to but not identical with spread or a network fee. Floating routes expose the final output to execution movement.
liquidity
Liquidity is the available capacity to exchange an asset without excessive price impact or delay. It varies by asset, direction, network and amount.
A provider can temporarily disable a direction or fixed-rate option when executable liquidity is insufficient.
minimum-amount
The minimum is the smallest deposit a route can process under current network and provider conditions. It can change as costs and liquidity change.
The live quote is the source of truth. An amount below the minimum can require review or refund rather than automatic conversion.
payout-transaction
The payout transaction sends the converted asset from the provider to the destination wallet. Its hash belongs to the destination network.
Broadcast is not always final wallet credit. The receiving network or custodial service can require additional confirmations.
04
native-asset
A native asset belongs to a blockchain’s base protocol and normally pays transaction fees, such as BTC on Bitcoin, ETH on Ethereum, TRX on TRON or SOL on Solana.
A token carrying the same ticker on another chain is a separate representation and needs its own route.
token
A token is an asset defined by a program or smart contract on a host blockchain. Its transfer normally pays fees in the host network’s native asset.
USDT is a token on several networks, so the ticker must be paired with its chain and contract representation.
wrapped-token
A wrapped token represents another asset on a blockchain where the original asset is not native. Its value depends on the wrapping or bridging mechanism.
WBTC on Ethereum is not native Bitcoin and cannot be sent to a Bitcoin-mainnet deposit address.
stablecoin
A stablecoin is designed to track a reference value such as a fiat currency. Its network, issuer, token contract and redemption model remain distinct from its price target.
USDT and USDC can exist across several chains. A stable ticker does not remove network or contract risk.
Explore a multi-network stablecoincross-chain-swap
A cross-chain swap converts value between assets or representations on different blockchains. The deposit and payout are separate on-chain transactions.
A direct wallet transfer cannot turn TRC-20 USDT into ERC-20 USDT. The route must explicitly perform the network change.
blockchain-bridge
A bridge moves or represents assets between connected networks through smart contracts or messaging systems. It is not automatically the same as an exchange conversion.
A BTC-to-ETH exchange converts native assets through a provider; a WBTC bridge handles a token representation and different risks.
Exchange versus bridge example