The intelligence platform
Landscape/Platforms & Custody/AirSwap
Visit website Exchange / Platform

AirSwap

Trustless OTC and RFQ token trading, live since 2017.

Web-based
01 — Overview

What AirSwap does

AirSwap is a decentralized, peer-to-peer token trading network built on a request-for-quote (RFQ) model, where pricing logic runs off-chain and settlement executes on-chain. Launched in 2017, it is one of the oldest trustless OTC trading protocols in the digital assets space, with over $4.42 billion in all-time volume across more than 2.64 million swaps. For family offices with digital asset exposure seeking to execute large token trades without routing through a centralized exchange, AirSwap offers a non-custodial alternative where counterparties settle directly.

The protocol operates across multiple blockchain networks and uses mutual cryptographic signatures to secure each swap, meaning a transaction only completes if tokens transfer successfully between both parties in a single atomic transaction. This eliminates settlement risk from partial fills or intermediary failure. The largest single swap recorded on the network was $30.7 million, suggesting the infrastructure can support block-trade-sized digital asset transactions.

Key characteristics relevant to institutional or family office users include:

  • Trustless OTC execution with no central intermediary holding assets at any point
  • Atomic settlement that prevents one-sided transfer failure
  • Support for Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Linea, and Avalanche
  • Permissionless liquidity provision for firms wishing to act as market makers
  • $3.4 million in distributed protocol fees returned to participants

AirSwap is a community-governed, open-source protocol rather than a managed service. There is no client onboarding, dedicated support, or compliance infrastructure oriented toward regulated wealth managers. Pricing is fee-based at the protocol level with no disclosed institutional pricing tier. Family offices without in-house blockchain technical capability will find the integration requirements significant.

Swaps are secured by mutual cryptographic signatures and only execute if tokens successfully transfer between both counterparties in an atomic transaction.

On AirSwap, from a family-office user
02 — Product & capabilities

What it covers

Core tasks
  • Peer-to-peer token swaps via OTC and RFQ protocols
  • Large-block digital asset trades without centralized exchange routing
  • Atomic on-chain settlement of token transactions
  • Permissionless liquidity provision for market makers
Notable features
  • Off-chain pricing with on-chain settlement
  • Mutual cryptographic signature security for each swap
  • Atomic transaction execution preventing partial transfers
  • Multi-chain support: Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Linea, Avalanche
  • Permissionless maker network for liquidity providers
  • Non-custodial swap architecture
  • Request-for-quote (RFQ) trading model
  • Open-source, community-governed protocol
Assets supported
Cryptocurrency
03 — Company

The firm behind it

Software type
Web-based
04 — Clients & fit

Who it’s for

Built for Investment Teams.