Guides
Fixed vs Floating Rate in Crypto Exchange: Which to Choose
- 1 min read
Instant exchangers offer two rate types. The difference looks technical, but it decides whether you get the market price or a guaranteed amount — and how much you pay for that guarantee.
Floating rate
The payout is recalculated at the market rate when your deposit is confirmed. If the price moves in your favor, you get more; if against, less. Exchangers don't add a risk premium, so a floating rate is usually more profitable.
Fixed rate
The payout is locked when you create the order, usually for 10–30 minutes. You get exactly the promised amount even if the market moves — but the exchanger prices that risk in, so the rate is a bit worse.
Which one to choose
- Calm market, regular amount → floating: you keep the extra margin.
- High volatility, or you need an exact amount (paying an invoice) → fixed.
- Slow network (Bitcoin at peak hours) → fixed protects you from price moves during confirmations.
In the GemX Swap calculator you can switch between floating and fixed and see both payouts for every exchanger.