Educational, Rubic's Ecosystem July 10, 2025

How to Swap Solana Tokens: On-Chain and Cross-Chain Options

TL;DR

Swapping Solana means exchanging SOL or any SPL token for another cryptocurrency, either directly on Solana or across chains via bridges.
On‑chain swaps (e.g., SOL→USDC) occur entirely on Solana with sub‑second confirmations and tiny fees (~$0.0005).
Cross‑chain swaps let you move SOL or SPL tokens to networks like Ethereum in one click, using automated bridges.
You can swap directly in wallets like Phantom or Solflare, or use aggregators such as Rubic to find the best rates.
Before swapping it is important to consider key factors such as network fees, slippage tolerance, and ensuring sufficient liquidity.

Swapping Solana tokens means exchanging SOL (Solana’s native coin) or any Solana-based token for another cryptocurrency. A token swap (sometimes called a Solana swap or Solana token swap) can happen entirely on the Solana blockchain (on-chain) or involve moving assets between Solana and other networks (cross-chain). In either case, the process is usually handled by decentralized Solana swap exchanges (DEXes) or aggregators that find the best rates and execute trades. In this blog, we will help you understand the meaning of swapping Solana, how token swapping works, and key factors you must consider before choosing a platform to swap your Solana tokens.

Understanding Solana Token Swaps

What Does It Mean to “Swap Solana”?

To swap Solana generally refers to trading SOL or an SPL token for a different cryptocurrency at current market rates. An SPL token is Solana’s native token standard (analogous to ERC-20 on Ethereum). For example, exchanging SOL for USDC (a stablecoin on Solana) is a Solana swap. Swaps can occur directly on Solana or via a bridge to another chain. Unlike traditional exchange orders, swaps are often executed in one click without order books. In both cases, the swapping is done by smart contracts or bridges rather than centralized intermediaries, which means users keep custody of their funds throughout.

Types of Solana Swaps

On-Chain Swaps: These swaps happen entirely within the Solana blockchain. For example, swapping SOL for an SPL token like USDC or RAY is an on-chain swap. The transaction is confirmed by Solana validators and uses Solana’s high-speed network (over 65,000 TPS and sub-second block times). On-chain swaps typically have very low fees since Solana fees are only around $0.0005 per transaction.
Cross-Chain Swaps: These involve moving assets between Solana and another network (for example, swapping SOL for ETH on Ethereum). Cross-chain swaps use “bridges” or cross-chain protocols. Tokens are locked on Solana and minted on the target chain (or vice versa) to simulate the swap. Platforms like Rubic aggregate multiple bridging solutions to enable these swaps. In effect, cross-chain swaps let you “swap Solana” into assets on any of 90+ networks. With Rubic, you can complete swaps from Ethereum (and other chains) to any token on Solana – and vice versa – in one click.

Cross-chain swaps require more steps (choosing source/target networks and confirming on both sides), but Rubic’s platform automates much of this. For example, swapping SOL to ETH via Rubic uses integrated bridges so you don’t have to manually hop across chains.

How Token Swaps Work on the Solana Network

Using Solana Wallets for Swaps

Most Solana wallets have built-in swap features, making on-chain trading very simple. Popular wallets like Phantom or Solflare let you swap tokens directly in the app. Under the hood, these wallets often use a DEX or aggregator (such as Jupiter) to find the best rate.

Generally, you would connect your Solana wallet (e.g., Phantom or Solflare) and select which tokens to send and receive. The wallet’s interface then shows the output amount and any fees. With Rubic, you simply “connect your Phantom or Solflare wallet, choose the Solana network, select tokens and amounts, and hit ‘Swap’”. The swap is submitted on-chain and confirmed within seconds.

For cross-chain Solana token swaps on Rubic, you might use an EVM wallet (MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, etc.) on the source chain and specify a Solana (Phantom/Solflare) address for receiving funds.

DEX and Aggregator Options

Within Solana, several DEX protocols facilitate swaps. Examples include Raydium, Serum, Orca, and others. Each has its own liquidity pools. Rubic aggregates over 330 DEX and combines multiple sources of liquidity to improve rates.

Because Solana tokens enjoy deep liquidity and fast swaps, even large trades can be executed smoothly.

Considerations: Fees, Slippage, and Liquidity

Transaction Fees: Solana’s transaction fees are extremely low (on the order of $0.0005 per swap). This is roughly 99% cheaper than similar Ethereum transactions. Even so, networks can sometimes surge. When congestion occurs, Solana uses a small priority fee mechanism, but fees generally remain trivial. Rubic confirms that your swap will only pay the minimal Solana network fee (often less than $0.01 total).
Slippage: Slippage is the difference between the expected and actual swap price. Larger trades can experience slippage if liquidity is limited. To mitigate this, Rubic shows multiple routing options with varying fee structures, letting you choose the route with the least price impact.
Liquidity: Ensure the token pair has sufficient liquidity on Solana DEXes. Aggregators like Rubic help by pooling liquidity across venues. For example, Rubic’s integration of Raydium (with thousands of tokens and millions in TVL) means deep on-chain liquidity for Solana swaps.

Swapping Solana Tokens with Rubic: On-Chain and Cross-Chain Support

Rubic is a cross-chain DEX aggregator that fully supports Solana token swaps for both SOL and SPL tokens. Whether you want to swap SOL for another Solana token or bridge SOL to a different blockchain, Rubic’s platform handles it. Our interface lets you select “Solana” as the source network and pick any token to swap. In fact, on Rubic, you can swap any of 15,500+ assets across 100+ blockchains, all in one click.

In practical terms, this means Rubic supports on-chain swaps (SOL to SPL, or vice versa) and cross-chain swaps (converting SOL or SPL tokens to assets on other chains (e.g., ETH, BNB, etc)).

This unified approach means you don’t have to juggle multiple platforms.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Rubic for Solana Swaps

Using Rubic to swap Solana tokens is straightforward. In summary, the process is:

Connect Your Wallet: Open the Rubic app and connect a Solana-compatible wallet (Phantom, Solflare, etc.). For cross-chain swaps, also connect an EVM wallet if you’re coming from Ethereum/BSC.
Select Source and Target: Choose “Solana” (SOL) as the source network and then pick the token pair (for example, SOL → USDC). Enter the amount you wish to swap.
Review Routes: Rubic will display possible swap routes. For on-chain swaps, it might show different DEX paths; for cross-chain, it may show bridge options. Check the estimated output and fees.
Confirm Swap: Hit the “Swap” button. You can then see a prompt asking you to approve the transaction. Confirm it and pay the tiny Solana fee.
Receive Tokens: The swap is executed. You’ll receive the target token in your wallet (usually in seconds).

Why Use Rubic for Solana Swaps?

People often ask, “Is Solana a good investment?” This answer is affirmative. However, Rubic offers several key advantages for swapping on Solana that makes it a lucrative investment:

Broad Liquidity and Best Rates: Rubic aggregates 330+ DEXs and 200+ bridges across 100+ chains. This means it can tap into deep liquidity pools on Solana and beyond. Smart routing finds the best price and can save up to 15-20% in fees. Furthermore, aggregating liquidity sources also minimizes slippage.
Cross-Chain Convenience: You don’t need multiple apps. Rubic’s interface handles both on-chain and cross-chain swaps. It integrates Solana bridging (so-called Solana bridge) natively. In other words, you can swap SOL for ETH or USDC on another chain without leaving Rubic. This unified approach saves time and gas (no need to manually bridge assets).
Fast and Secure Execution: Transactions on Solana are fast (block time ~400 ms), and Rubic’s platform is audited and decentralized. User funds never leave the wallet (Rubic has no custody). Additionally, Rubic has features like optional MEV protection on swaps. Overall, swaps are executed securely with transparent fees.
Competitive Fees: Since Rubic finds the cheapest route, the effective fee is kept minimal.

Key Considerations and Best Practices

Gas Fees and Network Conditions

Solana’s transaction fees are extremely low, typically just ~0.000005 SOL (about $0.0005) for a simple transfer. Even a token swap rarely costs more than $0.01 total. By comparison, Ethereum fees can be orders of magnitude higher. Thus, swapping on Solana is very cost-effective. However, fees can spike if the network is congested. In those rare cases, users might attach a small “priority fee” to speed processing.

Rubic optimizes swaps to minimize fees. It does things like gas optimization and dynamic routing, so you pay the lowest base fee required. Almost all Rubic swaps on Solana finish in a couple of seconds for just a few thousandths of a dollar.

When swapping cross-chain, remember you may incur fees on both networks. For example, swapping SOL to ETH will involve the tiny Solana fee plus whatever fee Rubic’s bridge charges on Ethereum. Rubic transparently shows these fees before you confirm. Always check the fee estimate on the Rubic interface.

Verifying Tokens and Contracts

Before swapping, verify the token contract to avoid scams. On Solana, this means checking the mint address of an SPL token. Use official sources or explorer links. For instance, trust that well-known tokens like USDC (Solana’s USD Coin) have verified contract addresses.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Swap Fails or Stuck: If a Solana token swap fails (e.g., due to a network glitch), your tokens will remain in your wallet. You can simply retry the swap. Rubic’s logs and your wallet history will help you verify the status.
Slippage Errors: If the swap estimate changed too much between route selection and execution, you might get a slippage error. In that case, either increase the allowed slippage tolerance slightly (e.g., to 1%) or break the swap into smaller amounts. Using Rubic’s best-rate route usually minimizes this issue.
Wallet Not Connecting: Ensure your wallet is set to the correct network (e.g., Solana mainnet). Only wallets with Solana support (Phantom, Solflare, etc.) can perform on-chain swaps.
Network Congestion: If the Solana network is experiencing a spike, your swap might take a few seconds longer. The tokens will still arrive – Solana simply needs to process more transactions. You can check Solana’s status on explorer sites. Rubic might also suggest alternate routes or timing if congestion is severe.

Swap Solana Tokens on Rubic at Best Rates

Because Rubic actively scans dozens of sources for the optimal route, users generally get the best available price on swaps. For example, Rubic’s Best Rate Finder tool “sifts through over 330+ DEXs in real time, ensuring you get the best Solan swap exchange rates”. In our testing, Rubic often found savings (up to 15-20%) versus swapping directly on a single Solana DEX.

When you use Rubic to swap Solana, you benefit from aggregated liquidity accumulated via solana bridge and competitive pricing. This means even if there is limited liquidity for a direct SOL→XYZ pair, Rubic might route your trade through intermediate tokens to improve rates. The result: lower slippage and fees than you’d likely get elsewhere. In short, for most Solana swaps, Rubic can deliver near-best execution without extra work.

Swap Solana on Rubic!

FAQ

Can I swap SOL to USDC within Solana?

Yes. USDC is an SPL token on Solana, so you can swap SOL for USDC entirely on Solana. Most wallets and DEXes support this directly. Rubic’s interface includes a SOL→USDC pair, and it will find the best route (often direct through a Serum/Jupiter pool). Expect only the minimal Solana fee for this swap.

Can I swap SOL to ETH using Rubic?

Yes. Rubic supports SOL↔ETH swaps via cross-chain routing. In fact, you can perform one-click swaps “from Ethereum… to any token on the Solana network — and vice versa — in one click”.

How long do Solana swaps take?

Very little time. Solana block times are ~400 ms, so once your swap is submitted, it usually completes within a few seconds. Rubic’s interface will show the transaction hash and notify you when it’s confirmed. In normal conditions, you can expect the swapped tokens to appear in your wallet almost instantly. Even cross-chain swaps only add a minute or two due to bridging.

What are the swap fees, and who receives them?

Swap fees consist of the underlying network fee plus any DEX/bridge fee. On Solana, the base fee is extremely low (~0.000005 SOL) and is paid to validators (mostly burned as part of Solana’s fee model). Rubic itself does not charge extra protocol fees on most small swaps (e.g., 0% for swaps under $100). You will see any fees (in SOL or the target chain’s gas) before confirming.

What wallets are supported for Solana swaps?

For on-chain Solana swaps, wallets like Phantom and Solflare are fully supported. These are the most common Solana wallets. Other Solana wallets (Slope, Sollet, MathWallet, etc.) should also work with Rubic if they can connect to the app. For cross-chain swaps, you can connect an EVM wallet like MetaMask or WalletConnect for the non-Solana side, and still use Phantom for the Solana side. Rubic has explicitly integrated Phantom and Solflare into its platform to ensure a smooth experience.