ADA
XTZ
Swap Cardano (ADA) to Tezos (XTZ)
Two proof-of-stake chains, no bridge between them: send ADA from your Cardano wallet and receive native XTZ at a Temple, Kukai or Umami address. The XTZ amount is quoted before you pay.
Cardano โ Tezos: when it makes sense
ADA and XTZ attract the same kind of holder โ people who like liquid proof-of-stake where coins keep earning without being locked โ so ADA to XTZ is a rotation between two similar ecosystems. Neither chain has a bridge to the other, which is why a direct swap is the shortest path. On the Tezos side, delegation keeps tez liquid; explicit staking, introduced in recent upgrades, has an unstaking delay.
Cardano's eUTXO model makes fees predictable before you sign, which is handy when you swap an exact amount.
Tezos upgrades itself through on-chain votes, so block time and some parameters have changed over the years โ the wallet always shows the current fee before you sign.
Cardano vs Tezos: the networks side by side
| ADA | XTZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Cardano mainnet (eUTXO) | Tezos mainnet (native tez) |
| Blocks / confirmation | a block about every 20 seconds on average | blocks every few seconds with fast finality after two blocks |
| Address format | addr1โฆ (Shelley); old Byron addresses start with Ae2 or DdzFF | tz1โฆ, tz2โฆ or tz3โฆ for wallets; KT1โฆ is a smart contract |
| Network fee | about 0.17โ0.2 ADA for a simple transfer | a fraction of a cent in XTZ; the first transfer to an empty address also burns a small storage fee |
| Memo / tag | not used | not needed to receive |
| Wallets | Eternl, Lace, Yoroi, Vespr, Ledger | Temple, Kukai, Umami, Ledger |
KOT.CASH vs a centralised exchange for ADA โ XTZ
| KOT.CASH | Centralised exchange | |
|---|---|---|
| Account & KYC | No sign-up; no ID documents for standard swaps | Account required; regulated exchanges must verify identity |
| Steps | One order: send ADA, receive XTZ at your own address | Deposit ADA โ wait for credit โ trade โ request XTZ withdrawal |
| Custody | Funds pass through the service only for the swap | Funds sit in the exchange account until you withdraw |
| Withdrawal | Automatic once the deposit is confirmed | Withdrawal fee; limits, holds or extra checks are possible |
| Cost | 1% float or 1.5% fixed + network fees; final amount shown upfront | Trading fee, spread and withdrawal fee โ vary by exchange and volume |
| Where a CEX is better | No fiat, limit orders or margin โ crypto-to-crypto swaps only | Fiat on/off-ramp, limit orders, very large volumes |
This compares how the processes work, not any specific exchange. Exchange tariffs change โ check them on the platform itself.
Step-by-step guides
How to swap ADA to XTZ, step by step
- 1
Select ADA โ XTZ in the widget and enter the amount. It shows the current minimum, the XTZ you will receive and the rate type (1% float or 1.5% fixed) before anything is sent.
- 2
Paste your XTZ address โ tz1โฆ, tz2โฆ or tz3โฆ for wallets; KT1โฆ is a smart contract. Copy it from your wallet (Temple, Kukai, Umami, Ledger) and compare the first and last characters.
- 3
Create the order and send exactly the shown amount of ADA to the deposit address. Bookmark the order link โ it shows the live status.
- 4
Wait for confirmations: a block about every 20 seconds on average. The liquidity provider sets how many are required; the order page shows the live count.
- 5
XTZ is sent to your address automatically. On the receiving side: blocks every few seconds with fast finality after two blocks. The transaction hash appears on the order page.
Common ADA โ XTZ mistakes
Every Cardano output must carry a minimum of roughly 1 ADA, so very small sends and 'send all' with native tokens attached can fail.
Staking does not lock ADA โ delegated ADA can be sent at any time, no unbonding needed.
Delegated XTZ stays liquid, but tez that you explicitly staked must be unstaked first and waits several cycles before it can be sent.
Do not use a KT1โฆ contract address as the payout address unless you know the contract accepts plain tez transfers.
ADA to XTZ: questions people ask
Do I need XTZ already to receive XTZ?
No. Receiving tez to a new tz1 address works; the payout transaction pays its own fee.
Can I delegate XTZ from Temple or Kukai right away?
Yes, as soon as the payout confirms. Pick a baker in the wallet; delegated tez stays spendable.
How long do ADA confirmations take?
A block about every 20 seconds on average. The liquidity provider decides how many confirmations are required; the order page shows the live count.
Which Tezos address should I use?
An implicit account starting with tz1, tz2 or tz3. A KT1โฆ address is a smart contract โ use it only if you know it accepts plain tez.
Can I delegate XTZ after the swap?
Yes. Delegated tez stays liquid; explicitly staked tez has an unstaking delay.
Why is there a small burn on my first Tezos transfer?
Tezos burns a little tez when a transaction creates storage, for example the first transfer to an empty address. It is a protocol fee, not a service fee.
Run the numbers first
Related exchange directions
ADA and XTZ networks: confirmations and memo
Built from the liquidity provider's network list as of 2026-10-20. "Confirmations" is how many blocks the provider waits for before crediting a deposit; the order page shows the exact number for your order. If the memo column names a tag, a deposit without it cannot be matched automatically.
| Coin | Network | Send to us | Receive | Confirmations | Memo / tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADA | CARDANO | yes | yes | 15โ70 | not used |
| XTZ | TEZOS | yes | yes | 10โ60 | not used |
Confirmations for 190 coins on every network are in the deposit confirmations lookup; coins that need a memo or tag are in the memo and tag checker.