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Get Started in 5 Minutes

This guide takes you from zero to your first swap. You will pick how to access SUBFROST, set up a wallet, and swap some Bitcoin.

Step 1: Open SUBFROST​

The easiest way to start today is the web app. Native clients are on the way:

  • Web app. Available now, and the recommended way to get started right now.
  • Android. Coming soon.
  • iOS. Coming soon (in App Store review).
  • Chrome Browser extension. Coming soon.

For this guide we will use the web app. See Wallets for details on each option.

Step 2: Set up a wallet​

You have two paths. Either works.

  1. Open the Connect Wallet menu and choose Create New Wallet.
  2. Set a strong password (at least 8 characters).
  3. Write down your 12-word recovery phrase and store it somewhere safe and offline. This phrase is the only way to recover your funds.
  4. Optionally, back up to Google Drive for convenience.

Or connect a wallet you already have​

SUBFROST connects to popular Bitcoin wallets, including OKX, Unisat, and Xverse. Open Connect Wallet, pick your provider, and approve the connection.

Burn risk: use a separate wallet for Ordinals, Runes and BRC-20

SUBFROST does not index ord at this time. You must transfer Ordinals, Runes and BRC-20 assets to a different wallet before interacting with our apps. Those assets live on a specific coin (a UTXO) that SUBFROST cannot see, so if it gets spent in the course of ordinary activity, the asset on it is gone. See Safety.

Step 3: Add Bitcoin​

You do not have to manually wrap your BTC. When you swap from BTC, the app atomically wraps your Bitcoin into frBTC and performs the swap in a single step. The wrapping is completely abstracted away.

If you just want frBTC directly, wrapping is a 1:1 conversion.

Step 4: Make your first swap​

  1. Select your tokens. Choose what you are swapping from (You Send) and what you want to receive (You Receive).
  2. Enter an amount. Type it in, or use the quick buttons: 25%, 50%, 75%, or Max of your balance.
  3. Review the details. Before confirming you will see the exchange rate, the swap route, the minimum you will receive, the deadline (in blocks), your slippage tolerance, and the miner fee rate.
  4. Confirm and sign. Tap Swap, then approve the transaction with your connected wallet.
Start small

If you are new to the platform, do a small swap first to get comfortable with the flow before moving larger amounts.

Swapping back to BTC takes a few blocks

When you swap into native BTC, the protocol waits 3 to 7 block confirmations before sending it. That wait protects the Bitcoin reserve against a chain reorg. See Wrap & Unwrap for why.

Where to go next​

  • Key Concepts: understand frBTC, DIESEL, FIRE, and the rest.
  • Explore pools, the FIRE vault, and more in the Using SUBFROST guides.