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At its core, Houdini uses two route types to handle transactions: Private and Standard. Each one offers a different tradeoff between privacy, speed, and cost. Every other Houdini feature, including Send, Split, and Request, is built on top of these routes. The route you choose determines how your transaction is routed and settled across chains. Connecting your wallet is the default flow for both routes. If you prefer not to, you can send funds manually to a one-time deposit address instead.

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Overview of route types

Houdini supports two route types:
  • Private, our flagship route, designed for true on-chain privacy
  • Standard, designed for faster, lower cost execution. Traceable on chain.
This table summarizes the key differences at a glance.

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How each route works

Private

The swap runs through two independent exchange partners with an intermediary asset in between. The sender and receiver are never linked on-chain.

Standard

The swap runs through a single exchange partner, giving you faster and lower cost execution than Private. Traceable on chain.
If no Standard route is available for a pair, Houdini may show an on-chain route instead, so you can still complete the swap. On-chain routes require a wallet connection and are fully visible on-chain.

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Choosing the right route

Both routes are non-custodial and run through the same aggregation system. The difference is how the route is built and which tradeoff is prioritized. If privacy is your primary concern, use Private.
If speed and cost matter more, use Standard.

Find out more

Detailed explanations and step-by-step guides for each route are available in the Swaps & Transfers section.