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Trading & AMMs

Routing

Trade Routing

Finding optimal trading paths across multiple liquidity sources

Definition

Routing is the process of finding the most efficient path for a trade across multiple liquidity sources to minimize costs and slippage, often used by DEX aggregators.

Routing (Trade Routing) is a trading term used to understand Finding optimal trading paths across multiple liquidity sources. In practice, it matters because it affects how users evaluate protocols, compare opportunities, and avoid hidden assumptions.

Example

1inch routes your ETH-to-USDC trade through multiple DEXs and pools to get the best possible price.

1

How it works

In practice, the concept shows up like this: 1inch routes your ETH-to-USDC trade through multiple DEXs and pools to get the best possible price.

2

Why it matters

Routing matters because small misunderstandings in DeFi can turn into bad pricing, liquidation, governance, custody, or smart-contract risk. A good mental model helps you compare protocols without relying on marketing language.

3

What to check

Treat it as a trading concept: compare expected benefit with fees, slippage, liquidity, volatility, and execution risk. The main checks are: Complex execution; Higher gas costs; Routing failures.

Risks to Consider

  • Complex execution
  • Higher gas costs
  • Routing failures

Common Questions

What does Routing mean in DeFi?

Routing means Finding optimal trading paths across multiple liquidity sources. The useful question is not only the definition, but how the mechanism changes risk, return, liquidity, or governance for the user.

How is Routing used in practice?

A practical example: 1inch routes your ETH-to-USDC trade through multiple DEXs and pools to get the best possible price.

What should I check before relying on Routing?

Check complex execution, higher gas costs, routing failures. Also verify liquidity, oracle assumptions, admin controls, and whether the protocol has been tested during stressed markets.