Why a crypto swap sometimes gets held and what happens next
Seeing your swap held is scary. Here is why deposits get paused, what is usually asked for and how to get it moving.
Most swaps finish without anyone looking at them. Now and then, one gets paused. It looks alarming, but the reasons are almost always routine, and nearly every held swap ends up either completed or refunded.
Why deposits get held
Every incoming deposit is screened with blockchain analytics tools that score where the coins came from. If that score crosses a threshold, the deposit is paused. These are the usual reasons.
- Coins that recently passed through a service flagged for theft, scams or sanctions.
- Coins coming from a mixer or from an exchange known to be high risk.
- An unusually large amount compared with normal traffic.
Often the sender has done nothing wrong. Coins pass through many hands, and a payment you received from someone else can carry a history you never saw.
What you may be asked for
Usually you will be asked where the coins came from. A short explanation may be enough, or a screenshot of the withdrawal from an exchange, or in some cases identity documents.
What we do
If your swap is held, go to the contact page or message our Telegram bot with your swap ID. We handle it with you and follow up until there is an answer. One contact from start to finish.
How to avoid it
Send from a wallet you control, with coins whose history you know. If you plan to move large amounts, contact our private desk before you send and one person will stay with you until the coins arrive. More in our AML and large swaps page.
Questions
Do I lose my coins if a swap is held?
Usually not. A held deposit is either released after review or refunded to your refund address. The exception is funds linked to theft or sanctions, which by law may have to be frozen.
How do I get a held swap moving?
Open a request with your swap ID. A person at Swapea handles it with you and tells you exactly what is needed.
