The two routes, step by step
Instant swap: you send coin A to a deposit address and receive coin B at your own address. The cost is the service fee โ 1% on the float rate or 1.5% on the fixed rate at KOT.CASH โ plus the network fee of sending coin B to you. Both are already reflected in the amount the widget shows before you pay.
Exchange account: you deposit coin A (some exchanges charge a deposit fee for certain networks), sell it for coin B paying a trading fee, lose a little to the spread between bid and ask, then withdraw coin B and pay a flat withdrawal fee. Each step is small; together they can add up, especially on small amounts where the flat withdrawal fee dominates.
instant swap = amount ร (1 โ service fee) โ payout network fee
exchange = (amount โ deposit fee) ร (1 โ trading fee) ร (1 โ spread) โ withdrawal feeWhich route is cheaper
On small and medium amounts the flat withdrawal fee usually decides: $1โ3 on a $100 swap is 1โ3%, more than the trading fee. On large amounts the percentage fees dominate, and a major exchange with a 0.1% trading fee and a tight spread will be cheaper than any instant swap. That is an honest result, and the calculator will show it.
Cost is not the only difference. The exchange route requires an account and, at regulated exchanges, identity verification, and your coins sit in the exchange's custody until you withdraw. An instant swap needs no account for standard swaps and pays straight to your wallet. Pick the route by what matters to you for this particular swap.
Where to get the numbers
- Service fee: KOT.CASH publishes 1% (float) and 1.5% (fixed) on the fees page.
- Payout network fee: roughly fractions of a cent on Solana, XRP or Litecoin, several TRX for USDT on TRON, and more on Ethereum when gas is high.
- Trading fee and withdrawal fee: from the exchange's own fee schedule for your account tier.
- Spread: compare the best bid and ask in the order book, or use 0.05โ0.3% for major pairs as a rough guess.
Frequently asked questions
+Is the 1% fee taken on top of the rate?
No. At KOT.CASH the float-rate fee is already included in the rate the widget shows, so the receive amount you see accounts for it.
+What is the difference between float and fixed?
Float (1%) follows the market until your deposit is confirmed. Fixed (1.5%) locks the amount for the payment window, so you know the exact payout in advance.
+Why can an exchange be cheaper?
On large amounts its percentage fees are lower. On small amounts the flat withdrawal fee usually makes it more expensive.
+Does the calculator include taxes?
No. In many countries swapping crypto for crypto is a taxable disposal; check your local rules.
+Are the default exchange fees real?
They are typical examples, not any specific exchange. Replace them with your exchange's actual fees.
Calculations run entirely in your browser; nothing you type is sent to KOT.CASH. Results are estimates for information only and are not financial, tax or legal advice.