- June
4
2025 - 5
ShadowSwap Fee Calculator
Current Network Fee
$0.00002
Average Core blockchain gas fee as of October 2025SHDW Token
Native utility token with governance rights
Volatility: HighCORE Token
Core blockchain native token
Low FeeUSDC
Stablecoin for stable transactions
Stable PriceShadowSwap has been marketed as a one‑stop shop for DeFi on the Core blockchain, but does it live up to the hype? In this review we break down the platform’s tech, tokenomics, liquidity, and real‑world usability. By the end you’ll know whether the DEX is worth a swing, a stake, or a skip.
What ShadowSwap Finance Actually Is
ShadowSwap Finance is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the Core blockchain. Launched in 2023, it uses an automated market maker (AMM) model to let anyone swap tokens without a central order book. The protocol promises low fees, fast finality, and a suite of add‑ons like staking, yield farms, a launchpad, and an NFT marketplace.
Core Blockchain - The Underlying Network
Core is a layer‑1 network that emphasizes scalability and cheap transactions. As of October 2025 the chain processes roughly 2,800TPS with an average gas price of $0.00002, making it attractive for DeFi projects that want to keep costs down.
Tokenomics of SHDW
The native utility token is SHDW. It powers governance, staking rewards, and fee rebates. Current market data (Oct2025) shows a price of $0.002021 USD and a 24‑hour volume of $477.30. The token once peaked at $10.88, indicating a massive correction. Volatility remains high, with a 7‑day gain of +80.92% but a 24‑hour dip of -13.67%.
How the AMM Model Works on ShadowSwap
Automated Market Maker (AMM) is the pricing engine behind most DEXs. Instead of matching buyers and sellers, the AMM holds liquidity pools and uses a constant‑product formula (x·y=k) to determine price. ShadowSwap’s pools are native to Core, so swaps settle in seconds and cost a fraction of an Ethereum gas fee.
Liquidity Landscape - Numbers That Matter
ShadowSwap lists three coins across six pairs. CoinGecko reports a normalized volume ratio of 1.0 and an average bid‑ask spread of 0.632%. The platform sits in the 31st percentile for combined order‑book volume, meaning liquidity is thin compared with giants like Uniswap. Low depth translates into higher price impact for larger trades.
Additional Features Beyond Swaps
While many DEXs stick to swapping, ShadowSwap bundles several services:
- Liquidity Pool Tokens can be deposited into farms for extra rewards.
- Staking of SHDW through the Shadow pool yields bonus yields and governance voting power.
- The Shadow Launchpad lets projects list new tokens directly on Core, giving early participants a discount.
- An NFT Marketplace hosts “Shadow Puppets” NFTs, which also act as bridge tokens for cross‑chain moves.
- Partnership services range from advisory to co‑marketing, aimed at bootstrapping newer DeFi projects.
Fee Structure - Is It Really Free?
ShadowSwap advertises fee‑free swaps, a common lure for DEXs. In reality, the protocol still incurs on‑chain gas costs, but those are negligible on Core. There are no maker‑taker fees, and the platform does not offer margin trading.
How ShadowSwap Stacks Up Against Major DEXs
| Feature | ShadowSwap | Uniswap (v4) | SushiSwap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Network | Core | Ethereum & Layer‑2s | Ethereum, BSC, Arbitrum |
| Supported Tokens (as of Oct2025) | 3 coins / 6 pairs | ≈ 15,000 tokens | ≈ 12,000 tokens |
| Average Transaction Fee | ≈ $0.00002 (Core gas) | ≈ $0.20 (Ethereum L1) | ≈ $0.07 (BSC/L2) |
| Liquidity (24‑h volume) | $477 | $4.2B | $1.9B |
| Additional Modules | Launchpad, NFT marketplace, cross‑chain bridge | Liquidity mining, SDK, layer‑2 integrations | Yield farms, Kashi lending, Trident AMM |
The table shows that ShadowSwap trades a fraction of the volume and offers far fewer token pairs. Its unique selling point is the Core‑specific ecosystem and bundled services, not raw liquidity.
User Experience - What It Feels Like to Trade
Signing into ShadowSwap is a simple wallet connect flow (MetaMask, Core Wallet, or WalletConnect). The UI mirrors typical DEX designs: a swap box, pool overview, and a navigation drawer for farms and NFTs. Because the platform runs on Core, transaction confirmations appear in under five seconds, even during network spikes.
However, the small pool sizes mean that a 10‑% trade can shift the price noticeably. New users may encounter “slippage” warnings more often than on larger DEXs. The lack of extensive documentation also forces traders to rely on community Telegram channels, which currently have under 200 active participants.
Risk Profile - Security, Volatility, and Market Depth
Security-wise, ShadowSwap inherits Core’s proof‑of‑stake consensus, which has suffered no major exploits in 2025. The smart contracts are open‑source and were audited by a boutique firm in early 2024, but the audit report is not publicly archived, raising a minor transparency concern.
Volatility is driven mainly by the SHDW token’s price swings. A 24‑hour dip of 13.67% is not unusual. Low liquidity amplifies price impact, making large orders risky without prior slippage mitigation.
From a market‑depth perspective, the DEX is best suited for low‑value swaps (under $1,000) or for users who want to earn farming rewards instead of pure trading.
Future Outlook - Where Could ShadowSwap Go?
The platform’s success hinges on Core’s broader adoption. If Core attracts more DeFi projects, ShadowSwap’s liquidity pool could grow organically. Partnerships announced in Q22025 with an NFT game and a bridge to Optimism hint at a potential network effect. Yet, without a sizable user base, the launchpad may struggle to draw quality token sales.
Price forecasts from Coinbase suggest SHDW will hover around $0.0017 in the near term, a modest 5% change. Analysts point to the token’s limited utility outside of governance and farm incentives as the main driver for the flat outlook.
Key Takeaways
- ShadowSwap is a niche DEX on the Core blockchain, offering ultra‑low fees but very limited token variety.
- The AMM model works well for small swaps; larger orders suffer from slippage due to thin liquidity.
- Additional modules (launchpad, NFT marketplace, cross‑chain bridge) add value but rely on broader ecosystem growth.
- SHDW token is highly volatile and currently priced well below its all‑time high, limiting speculative upside.
- For traders focused on cheap swaps and early‑stage yield farming, ShadowSwap is worth a try; for high‑volume or professional traders, established DEXs remain the safer bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I connect a wallet to ShadowSwap?
Click the “Connect Wallet” button on the homepage, choose MetaMask, Core Wallet, or any WalletConnect‑compatible app, and approve the connection in your wallet extension.
What fees will I actually pay?
The protocol itself imposes no swap fee, but you must cover Core’s network gas. In October 2025 the average gas cost is roughly $0.00002 per transaction.
Can I provide liquidity and earn rewards?
Yes. Deposit your LP tokens into the designated farms to earn SHDW rewards. Rewards rates vary per pool and are displayed on the “Farms” page.
Is ShadowSwap safe from hacks?
The underlying Core blockchain has no known major exploits in 2025, and the DEX contracts were audited in 2024. However, as with any DeFi platform, using only funds you can afford to lose is prudent.
What’s the best use case for ShadowSwap?
Small‑scale swaps that need cheap gas, plus users who want to stake SHDW or earn yield from the built‑in farms and NFT marketplace.
About Author
I'm a blockchain analyst and crypto writer focused on turning complex tokenomics into clear, actionable insights. I examine emerging protocols, exchange mechanics, and on-chain data to help readers navigate markets confidently. I also publish practical guides on airdrop strategies and security best practices.
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Brooklyn O'Neill
June 4, 2025 AT 07:07ShadowSwap’s fee model is surprisingly transparent, especially when you compare it to legacy centralized exchanges that hide costs in the fine print. The calculator they provide makes it easy to estimate fees before you trade, which is a big plus for newcomers. I also like that the Core token’s low gas fees help keep overall transaction costs down.
Ciaran Byrne
June 6, 2025 AT 22:49Solid overview, concise and to the point.
Patrick MANCLIÈRE
June 9, 2025 AT 14:30For anyone diving into the ShadowSwap DEX, it helps to understand the underlying Core blockchain mechanics. Core uses a proof‑of‑stake consensus that keeps block times under two seconds, meaning your trades settle almost instantly. The native CORE token is used for gas, and because its supply is capped, the network fee stays predictably low. When you swap SHDW for USDC, the calculator shows a fee of just a few hundredths of a cent, which is competitive even against other layer‑2 solutions. Also, the governance rights attached to SHDW let token holders vote on fee adjustments, so the system can evolve based on community needs.
Carthach Ó Maonaigh
June 12, 2025 AT 06:12Okay, let’s get real – the UI looks slick but the real test is the slippage during high‑volume spikes. I’ve seen the fee spike like a rocket when the network gets congested, and that can bite you hard if you’re not watching the gas price. The “estimate” button is nice until it’s dead wrong because of a sudden meme coin surge flooding the mempool. Still, the devs seem to be tweaking the fee oracle, so fingers crossed it won’t be a disaster every time the market goes apeshit.
Marie-Pier Horth
June 14, 2025 AT 21:53Ah, the ethereal dance of decentralized finance, where every token swap is a philosophical statement about trust, or the lack thereof. One must ask: does the low fee truly reflect a decentralized ethos, or is it merely a veneer masking the centralization of the Core node validators? In any case, the aesthetic of the fee calculator is a reminder that even in the austere realm of blockchain, beauty can be engineered.
Gregg Woodhouse
June 17, 2025 AT 13:35yeah the fee calc looks cool but honestly the UI glitches sometimes when i try to input big numbers. also the "currentFee" display is weird, shows $0.00002 even when i’m on core, kinda confusing.
F Yong
June 20, 2025 AT 05:16Oh great, another “transparent” fee model, as if we needed more transparency in a space that’s already as clear as mud. I’m just waiting for the day the calculator decides to charge a million dollars per swap because “network congestion”.
Sara Jane Breault
June 22, 2025 AT 20:58shadow swap makes it super easy to see the fee before you trade you just type in the amount and it tells you the cost it’s great for beginners
dennis shiner
June 25, 2025 AT 12:39Nice calculator – shows $0.00002 fee, which is basically nothing. 😏
Krystine Kruchten
June 28, 2025 AT 04:21While the fee estimation tool provides clear numbers, it would be beneficial if the platform also displayed historical fee trends to help users gauge potential volatility in transaction costs over time.
Mangal Chauhan
June 30, 2025 AT 20:02From a technical standpoint, the Core blockchain’s consensus algorithm contributes significantly to the low fee structure. The proof‑of‑stake design reduces the computational overhead required for block validation, which in turn lowers the cost per transaction. Additionally, the network’s gas‑price oracle is updated every few seconds, ensuring that fee estimations remain accurate even during periods of heightened activity. 🚀
Iva Djukić
July 3, 2025 AT 11:44When dissecting the fee architecture of ShadowSwap, one must first appreciate the intricate interplay between on‑chain gas economics and off‑chain market dynamics; the Core blockchain’s native token, CORE, functions as the primary utility substrate for transaction settlement, thereby imposing a deterministic baseline cost that is further modulated by the volatility index of the SHDW token; this dual‑layered approach ensures that fee projections remain both resilient to abrupt market swings and sufficiently granular to accommodate micro‑transaction use‑cases; moreover, the fee calculator leverages a real‑time oracle that aggregates gas price data from multiple validator nodes, subsequently normalizing these inputs through a weighted moving average algorithm to mitigate outlier distortion; the resulting estimate, while ostensibly simplistic, encapsulates a complex statistical model that accounts for network latency, mempool congestion, and stochastic fee spikes; users benefit from this transparency, as the platform also publishes a historical ledger of fee fluctuations, enabling predictive analytics for strategic trade timing; in practice, the low baseline fee of approximately $0.00002, as displayed, is a function of Core’s sub‑second block finality, which reduces the opportunity cost associated with transaction finality delays; consequently, traders can execute high‑frequency arbitrage strategies with minimal capital erosion, a salient advantage over legacy exchanges that impose static fee schedules indifferent to underlying blockchain performance; it is also worth noting that SHDW holders enjoy governance privileges, allowing for community‑driven adjustments to fee parameters, thereby fostering a participatory economic model; this collaborative governance framework aligns incentives across liquidity providers, token stakers, and end‑users, ultimately cultivating a sustainable ecosystem where fee structures are both market‑responsive and community‑orchestrated; lastly, the platform’s UI, while sleek, could be enhanced with additional visualizations of fee distribution across token pairs, granting users a more holistic perspective of cost implications across assorted trade corridors.
Darius Needham
July 6, 2025 AT 03:25Exactly, the fee model is robust and the community governance adds an extra layer of accountability.
carol williams
July 8, 2025 AT 19:07While the platform’s design is commendable, I would recommend incorporating a compliance disclaimer for users who might be subject to regional regulatory constraints, particularly concerning the swapping of SHDW tokens, which at times have been flagged under securities statutes.
Maggie Ruland
July 11, 2025 AT 10:48Cool fee calculator, looks legit.
jit salcedo
July 14, 2025 AT 02:30Ah, the eternal dance of decentralization and hidden agendas-while ShadowSwap prides itself on “low fees,” one must wonder who truly benefits when the Core validators, tightly knit and often opaque, control the gas pricing oracle. If the oracle is compromised, the fee estimate becomes a mere illusion, a siren song luring unsuspecting traders into a vortex of hidden costs. And let’s not forget the ever‑looming specter of regulatory overreach; as governments tighten their grip on crypto, exchanges like ShadowSwap could find themselves forced to embed KYC checkpoints that would erode the very freedom they promise. Nevertheless, the technical underpinnings-fast block finality, succinct fee calculations-are undeniably impressive, and for the savvy participant who reads the fine print, the platform offers a compelling low‑cost avenue for token swaps. In short, tread carefully, verify the oracle integrity, and keep an eye on the evolving legal landscape.
Joyce Welu Johnson
July 16, 2025 AT 18:12I’ve been using ShadowSwap for a few weeks now, and the fee estimator has saved me a lot of money on small trades. The UI is intuitive, and the support team is responsive if you run into any hiccups.
Ally Woods
July 19, 2025 AT 09:53the calculator is decent but i wish there was a dark mode it would be nice to have more options maybe a tooltip on the fee breakdown also the text could be bigger for readability idk
Kristen Rws
July 22, 2025 AT 01:35Feeling hopeful! Even with the tiny fees, it feels like the future of trading is finally in our hands. Keep it up!
Fionnbharr Davies
July 24, 2025 AT 17:16ShadowSwap’s fee estimator is a solid tool for both novices and veterans. It provides a clear snapshot of expected costs, which helps in planning trades, especially when dealing with volatile assets like SHDW. The integration with Core’s low‑gas environment is a key advantage, reducing overhead for frequent swapping. Overall, it’s a welcome addition to the DEX ecosystem.
Narender Kumar
July 27, 2025 AT 08:58The formal presentation of the fee calculator reflects the meticulous nature of the platform’s development, and it is evident that considerable effort has been invested in ensuring precision and user‑friendliness.
Anurag Sinha
July 30, 2025 AT 00:39While the fee prediction appears accurate, one must remain vigilant about potential hidden variables that could manipulate the underlying oracle, especially given recent concerns about validator collusion within the Core network.
Raj Dixit
August 1, 2025 AT 16:21Fact: The fee calculator shows $0.00002, but remember that network congestion can spike costs dramatically.
Lisa Strauss
August 4, 2025 AT 08:02Super excited to see such user‑friendly tools emerging in the crypto space! This makes swapping feel more accessible for everyone.
Darrin Budzak
August 6, 2025 AT 23:44ShadowSwap’s approach to fee transparency is refreshing, and the low‑cost environment encourages more frequent trading.
Andrew McDonald
August 9, 2025 AT 15:25While the UI is clean, I find the lack of advanced analytics disappointing for power users seeking deeper insights.
Enya Van der most
August 12, 2025 AT 07:07ShadowSwap is killing it with those low fees-finally a DEX that respects my wallet!