This glossary supports the Swap & bridge learning hub. Terms are ordered alphabetically in sections. Anchor links (#term-slippage) help you share definitions with friends learning Exchange.
A–C
Aggregator
Software that compares DEX and bridge liquidity and returns a best route. Instead of visiting one pool at a time, you get a simulated path and minimum output. In GaurdWallet, EVM routes use LI.FI; Solana routes use Jupiter. Aggregators do not hold your keys — they return data you choose to sign.
Approval (ERC-20)
Permission for a router contract to pull tokens. GaurdWallet defaults to exact amounts — ERC-20 token approvals.
Bridge
Cross-chain transfer of value via lock/mint or messaging. Distinct from same-chain swap vs bridge. Bridges take longer and introduce smart-contract risk on both sides of the hop.
Cross-chain
Any operation spanning two networks. Supported EVM↔EVM in Exchange; not Solana↔EVM in v0.2.1.
DEX
Decentralized exchange implemented as on-chain pools. Swaps route through DEX segments — DEX swap best practices. Liquidity depth on each DEX affects price impact on aggregated routes.
Gas
Fee paid to validators for computation. Swaps and bridges consume gas — gas fees when swapping and bridging. Bridges may charge gas on both source and destination chains depending on route.
Price impact
How your trade size moves pool price before execution — distinct from slippage tolerance — price impact vs slippage.
Calldata
Encoded function call data in an EVM transaction. Routers use calldata to invoke swap and bridge methods; wallets decode what they can for display.
Bridge progress card
GaurdWallet Dashboard UI tracking asynchronous bridge status after you sign — prefer waiting on this over submitting duplicate bridges.
D–M
Destination chain
Network where bridged assets arrive. Verify it matches your app’s requirement — e.g. Ethereum to Base bridge.
EVM
Ethereum-compatible execution (Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, etc.). LI.FI routes swaps/bridges here.
Jupiter
Solana swap aggregator used by GaurdWallet — Jupiter Solana swaps.
LI.FI
Cross-chain routing API integrating DEXes and bridges — how LI.FI bridging works.
Liquidity
Tokens locked in pools enabling swaps. Thin liquidity raises price impact.
MEV
Maximal extractable value — reordering or inserting trades around yours for profit. Relevant on some EVM public mempool routes; tighten slippage and prefer reputable tools. Not unique to GaurdWallet — any self-custody swap can face ordering games on affected chains.
Minimum received
Lowest output allowed given slippage tolerance; LI.FI toAmountMin. See slippage explained.
N–S
Non-custodial
You hold keys; the wallet provider does not. Safety nuances — non-custodial swap safety and what is a non-custodial wallet?
Pending bridge
Source tx confirmed; destination not yet credited. Do not duplicate — why swap quotes expire.
Priority fee (Solana)
Extra fee to improve transaction ordering during congestion — part of Jupiter swaps.
Quote
Off-chain simulation of a route with output amount and TTL. Expires when markets move — swap quote expired. Always refresh before signing if the countdown elapsed.
Relayer
Third party that completes bridge delivery on destination chain. Trust model varies by bridge tool in LI.FI graph; read route names before confirming large transfers.
Route
Ordered list of tools (DEX legs, bridges) fulfilling your trade. Inspect before sign — bridge security checklist. Multi-step routes may still appear as one user action in Exchange.
Slippage
Allowed price drift between quote and execution, expressed as a percentage and enforced as minimum received on-chain. Tight slippage protects you in calm markets but causes reverts when volatility spikes — crypto slippage explained.
SPL token
Solana token standard. Swaps move SPL balances; watch mint addresses.
Stablecoin bridge
Moving USDC/USDT across chains — bridge USDC across EVM.
Swap
Exchange token A for token B on one chain — when to swap vs bridge.
T–Z
TTL (time to live)
Seconds a quote remains valid. Refresh when expired.
Quote proxy
Server endpoint hiding aggregator API keys. Does not custody tokens — see how to swap and bridge.
Wrap / unwrap
Converting native coin to wrapped ERC-20 (WETH) inside a route; common on EVM DEX paths because pools quote against WETH rather than raw ETH balance.
Source chain
Network where you submit the first transaction — often where funds leave your wallet in a bridge. Must match the chain where your tokens actually live.
Native token
Coin used to pay gas on a network (ETH on Ethereum, SOL on Solana). Swaps may consume native balance for fees even when selling an ERC-20 or SPL asset.
Allowance
On EVM, the remaining ERC-20 spending cap granted to a router. Exact approvals set allowance equal to one trade — see token approvals.
Execution duration
Estimated time for a route — especially bridges — shown in quotes. Not the same as quote TTL; prices can still move while you wait.
Explore all guides from the Swap & bridge learning hub.
Using this glossary
How many terms? Twenty-six anchored entries above, plus cross-links to full articles for depth.
Missing a word? Search the hub — new Exchange features may add terms in future releases; this page reflects v0.2.1 honestly.
Bookmark tip: Link directly to anchors like /blog/swap-bridge-glossary/#term-slippage when helping friends.