Valora Swaps
Valora's built-in Swap page is a direct option when it lists the required pair and offers an acceptable quote. A compatible decentralized exchange (DEX) dapp may provide another route, including for a token that the built-in service does not list. Valora is a self-custody mobile wallet. Its in-app Swap page is unavailable in Singapore, the Philippines, and Japan; access to a DEX depends on that service's own conditions.
Updated on
Find a section
Interfaces and token coverage
The built-in Swap page uses decentralized liquidity through providers including 0x, OpenOcean, and SquidRouter.
| Comparison | In-app Swap | DEX dapp |
|---|---|---|
| Entry point | The Swap page inside Valora, except in Singapore, the Philippines, and Japan, where that page is unavailable. | A compatible dapp through Discover or a browser, subject to the selected service's availability. |
| Token availability | The selected tokens, networks, and available decentralized liquidity determine whether a pair can be swapped. | A dapp may offer an unlisted token, provided it supports the token and network and has a usable swap route. |
| Service charges | A 0.6% swap fee taken from the originating token, with no minimum fee. Valora's swap fee does not apply to a failed transaction. | Third-party dapps may impose their own charges. Compare the selected dapp's quoted fees with the in-app fee. |
Valora supports Arbitrum, Base, Celo, Ethereum, and Optimism. Wallet support for a network does not establish that every token pair is available through either swap route. Check the network and token version on both sides of the quote.
Quoted output and network costs
A meaningful price comparison uses the same input amount and the same destination token on the intended network. Compare the quoted output alongside all separately listed charges. A smaller service fee can be outweighed by a worse exchange rate or higher network costs.
Ethereum transactions require ETH for gas. On Celo, Valora prioritizes CELO. If CELO is unavailable, it uses the eligible Celo-native fee token with the highest wallet balance. Native and bridged versions of USDC and USD₮ are distinct, so verify the token contract before relying on a balance for fee payment.
Valora's in-app cross-chain swaps also require a destination-network fee, paid using the origin chain's native token. Keep that charge separate from Valora's 0.6% service fee. Network fees vary with traffic, and a third-party dapp may add its own charges.
A hypothetical service-fee comparison
In this hypothetical comparison, both swaps succeed, use the same pair and network, and have identical pre-fee exchange rates and all other charges. Hypothetical swap amount: 237 source-token units. Hypothetical DEX service charge: 0.947 source-token units.
Using Valora's documented in-app rate, the service fee is
237 * 0.006 = 1.422
source-token units. The difference is
1.422 - 0.947 = 0.475
source-token units, so the hypothetical DEX service charge is lower by 0.475 units. A worse exchange rate or additional charges could outweigh that saving.
Dapp connections and approvals
Discover includes a Swap section for finding dapps. A service that is not listed can be opened in a browser; verify the service's address and supported network before connecting. On iOS, opening a dapp from Valora redirects to an external browser.
The dapp's wallet selector may list Valora directly or under WalletConnect > View All. Connection approval is separate from transaction approval. Each dapp transaction requires approval in Valora, with a PIN prompt if the PIN has not been entered recently. The wallet also needs enough funds for the transaction fees.
Unfavorable quotes and failed swaps
Low liquidity can produce an unfavorable exchange rate, and Valora allows users to proceed with such a quote. A token's availability in a DEX does not establish that the DEX offers a better rate.
A built-in swap can fail when market movement makes the quoted price unavailable, a change known as slippage. Review a fresh quote before another attempt. In-app swaps appear in the Activity feed and may take a few minutes; a displayed quote or confirmation action alone does not establish completion.