Last updated: October 14, 2026
Most "stuck" crypto swaps are not lost: the deposit is usually still waiting for blockchain confirmations, was sent with too low a fee, is below the exchange's minimum, or is being held for a manual check — and each case has a clear fix. First find your deposit's transaction ID (TXID) in a block explorer, then match the status below, and contact support with your order ID and TXID. On notkyc every order has its own tracking page and email updates, so you can see exactly where a swap is.
- 5–30 min normal swap time
- ~20 min Monero deposit confirmations
- 6 common causes
- 2 things support needs: order ID + TXID
Swap status meanings at a glance
| Status | What is happening | Normal wait | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waiting for deposit | Exchange hasn't seen your transaction yet | Until your TX is broadcast | Check the TXID exists and went to the right address and network |
| Confirming | Deposit seen, waiting for confirmations | BTC 10–60 min, XMR ~20 min, USDT-TRC20 1–3 min | Wait; check fee if BTC is unconfirmed |
| Exchanging | Exchange is executing the trade | 1–10 min | Wait |
| Sending | Payout broadcast to your wallet | Depends on the receiving chain | Look up the payout TXID in an explorer |
| On hold / verifying | Manual or AML check | Hours to days | Contact support; ask for a refund to your refund address |
| Refunded / failed | Amount out of limits or order expired | — | Check your refund address; open a new order |
The 6 most common reasons a swap gets stuck
- Low network fee. A Bitcoin transaction with a low fee can sit in the mempool for hours. If your wallet supports it, bump it with Replace-By-Fee (RBF) or Child-Pays-For-Parent (CPFP).
- Waiting for confirmations. Exchanges wait for several confirmations; Monero needs about 10 blocks (~20 minutes). This is normal, not stuck.
- Amount below the minimum. Deposits under the minimum often aren't processed automatically. Our table marks such quotes "below min" before you swap.
- Sent after the order expired. Fixed-rate orders have a time window. A late deposit is usually refunded or re-quoted at the current rate.
- Wrong network or missing memo. USDT sent on the wrong chain, or XRP/TON without a memo tag, needs manual recovery — see sent crypto to the wrong network.
- Risk / AML hold. Some exchanges pause deposits flagged by blockchain analytics. Read what happens if an exchange asks for KYC mid-swap and what to do if funds are frozen.
What to do if your swap is stuck (step by step)
- Find your deposit TXID in your wallet's history and open it in a block explorer for that chain.
- Check three things: the deposit address matches your order, the network is the one the order asked for, and the amount is above the minimum.
- Check confirmations. If it is unconfirmed after an hour on Bitcoin, bump the fee if possible.
- Open your order page. The status shows whether the exchange has seen the deposit.
- Contact the exchange's support with the order ID and TXID — nothing else is needed. Never send a second deposit "to unlock" the first.
- Ask for a refund to the refund address if the swap can't complete. See how to use a refund address safely.
How to avoid stuck swaps next time
- Pay a normal or high fee on Bitcoin deposits — the saving from a low fee isn't worth hours of waiting.
- Always fill in a refund address.
- Swap fast-confirming coins when time matters: USDT-TRC20, LTC, or XMR rather than slow BTC at busy times.
- Choose exchanges with a clean no-KYC track record and good support ratings.
- Send the deposit right after creating a fixed-rate order.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a crypto swap take?
Usually 5–30 minutes. Most of that is waiting for your deposit to confirm on its blockchain; the exchange itself typically pays out within a few minutes after that.
My swap says "waiting for deposit" but I already sent it — why?
The exchange hasn't detected it yet: it may be unconfirmed, sent on a different network, or sent to a different address. Look up the TXID and compare the address and network with your order.
Is my crypto lost if the swap is stuck?
Rarely. As long as the deposit reached the exchange's address on the correct network, it can be completed or refunded. Contact support with your order ID and TXID.
Can I cancel a swap after sending?
Once the deposit is sent you can't cancel on-chain, but you can ask support to refund it to your refund address if the swap hasn't been executed yet.
Why is my swap on hold for verification?
The exchange's risk system flagged the deposit. A no-KYC exchange with a good record will usually refund without ID; check its policy on the exchange pages before swapping.
Start your next swap with exchanges that pay out fast: USDT → XMR, BTC → XMR or best exchanges for beginners. No account, no ID, no logs.