Overview
Houdini supports three distinct routing strategies, each optimized for different use cases. You can choose to support one, multiple, or all routing types in your integration.Routing Strategy Comparison
| Feature | Private Swap | Standard Swap | DEX Swap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy Level | Highest | High | Public/Transparent |
| Wallet Connection | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Speed | 15-45 minutes | 3-30 minutes | Variable (seconds to minutes) |
| Gas Fees | None (included) | None (included) | User pays |
| Liquidity | High (CEX depth) | Very High | Variable |
| Best For | Privacy-focused users | Fast execution | On-chain transparency |
1. Private Swap
How It Works
Private swaps route through multiple CEX hops to maximize privacy and eliminate the need for wallet connections.Technical Flow for Integrators
For detailed integration steps, see the Private Swap Integration Guide.Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Maximum privacy: Multi-hop breaks transaction trail
- No wallet needed: Users just send to deposit address
- No gas fees: All fees included in quote
- Deep liquidity: Access to CEX order books
Considerations
- Longer completion time: 15-45 minutes typical
- CEX dependency: Relies on partner exchange availability
- AML screening: Transactions screened by partner CEXs
- Not instant: Not suitable for time-critical swaps
When to Use
- Users prioritize privacy and anonymity
- No wallet connection is possible or desired
- Time is not critical (15-45 min acceptable)
- Swapping larger amounts where CEX liquidity shines
2. Standard Swap (No Wallet Connect)
How It Works
Semi-private swaps use a single CEX hop for faster execution while maintaining privacy.Technical Flow for Integrators
For detailed integration steps, see the Standard Swap Integration Guide.Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Faster than multi-hop: 3-30 minutes typical
- No wallet needed: Deposit address flow
- No gas fees: Included in quote
- Excellent liquidity: CEX order book depth
Considerations
- Less privacy: Single hop vs multi-hop
- CEX dependency: Relies on partner availability
- AML screening: CEX compliance applies
- Not instant: Still takes 3-30 minutes
When to Use
- Balance between speed and privacy
- Faster execution preferred (3-30 min vs 15-45 min)
- No wallet connection needed
- Good liquidity required
3. DEX Swap
How It Works
DEX swaps execute directly on-chain through decentralized exchanges and bridges.Technical Flow for Integrators
For detailed integration steps, see the DEX Swap Integration Guide.Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Fully on-chain: Transparent and verifiable
- No CEX dependency: Pure DeFi execution
- Can be fast: Seconds to minutes depending on network
- Trustless: Smart contract execution
- Wide token support: Access to long-tail assets
Considerations
- Public: All transactions visible on-chain
- Requires wallet: User must connect wallet
- User pays gas: Network fees additional
- Variable gas costs: Can be expensive on Ethereum L1
- Slippage risk: Especially for large trades or volatile pairs
When to Use
- On-chain transparency required or preferred
- Access to long-tail or newer tokens
- Lower gas fee networks (L2s, alt-L1s)
- Users already have wallet connected
- Trustless execution is priority