How the Polkadot Exchange Works
DOTExchange.io handles an exchange as one order with a sending asset, receiving asset and wallet destination. Review the quote before payment, follow the current deposit instructions and keep the private order link until the payout is complete.
Choose the Route and Review the Quote
Select what you send and what you want to receive, then enter the amount. The quote brings the estimated payout, service charge, payout network cost and route limits into the same decision.
The base sending-asset equivalent range is $24–$80,000. A specific pair or network can have its own displayed limits, so check the actual order amount before paying.
Quote preparation has a target of 25 seconds under normal data availability. That target concerns preparing the quote; blockchain confirmation and payout happen at later stages.
You can start from the Polkadot exchange homepage or a dedicated route such as DOT to XRP. The directional page explains its receiving-asset requirements.
Understand When the Exchange Rate Is Set
Choose the rate mode before creating the payment instructions. Your selection determines how the final conversion amount is calculated.
| Rate mode | Service fee | How it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Floating | 0.36% | The payout shown before payment is an estimate; the rate is finalized at conversion. |
| Fixed | 0.84% | The exact requested deposit must be detected within the 14-minute payment window and meet the order conditions. |
Your sending wallet or platform can charge separately for the deposit transaction. Read its recipient-amount field so the exchange receives the amount it requests.
Prepare the Receiving Details and Fund the Order
Use the receiving instructions for the exact asset and network selected in the order. A hosted destination can have a deposit minimum, a tag requirement or a temporary deposit restriction.
For XRP, copy any destination tag required by the recipient. For USDT, match the receiving network to the destination’s Tether deposit screen. When receiving DOT, use a supported native Polkadot account and network.
Before sending DOT, inspect the wallet’s transferable amount and fee. A total that includes committed funds may not be available to pay the order.
Copy the source payment details from the current order. Reusing an old address, changing the asset or adding another payment without checking the instructions can make the deposit harder to match.
Follow the Deposit, Conversion and Payout
The private order page connects your payment to the exchange outcome. Use the evidence for each stage to understand what is still pending.
| Stage | What it means | What to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit pending | The requested source payment has not yet been matched | Current payment instructions and order ID |
| Deposit confirmations | The detected transaction must satisfy the route’s confirmation requirement | Source transaction reference |
| Conversion and payout processing | The exchange is preparing the receiving-asset delivery | Order details and any request from support |
| Payout sent | An outgoing receiving-network transaction is available | Payout reference and destination |
These descriptions explain the lifecycle; the exact wording displayed by the order can differ. The conversion and payout target is 4–12 minutes after the required deposit confirmations.
A hosted recipient may credit the payout after its own checks. Use the outgoing transaction reference to distinguish an on-chain payout from the recipient’s internal account credit.
Handle a Late or Different Deposit
Check the existing order before making another payment when a deposit is late, short or different from the request. The outcome depends on the payment already received, the applicable quote and what can still be changed.
Contact the team with the order ID and the actual transaction reference. Support can review the stage and explain the available next action; a fixed quote should not be assumed to remain valid after its payment conditions expire.
Some orders can require an additional review. The AML Policy explains the review process and possible outcomes.
Ask for Order Help
Use the support contacts with a short description of the unresolved stage. Include the order ID, sending asset and network, amount and any public transaction reference.
Keep recovery phrases, private keys and wallet passwords out of the request. The team can investigate an exchange using its records and transaction evidence without taking control of your wallet.