Zap — entering with one token
Zap creates a two-sided ladder when you only hold one token of the pair. It swaps the required portion for the other token, creates the positions and returns the leftovers to your wallet — all in one transaction.
For example, you can enter a TOKEN/USDT pool with USDT without buying TOKEN first. For WETH- or WBNB-quoted pairs, the entry currency depends on the pool and your settings.
On Create, select Two-sided, set the range and amount, then click Zap In. Review the calculation and confirm. The button is available when Zap is enabled in Settings and supported for the selected pool.
How much money it uses
Set the amount and token split just as you would for ordinary creation. The swap is included in that amount: you do not need a separate budget to buy the second token.
You may need additional funds for mint headroom — a reserve for price changes during the operation. Any unused portion returns to your wallet in the same transaction.
An amount of 100 USDT with 2% headroom requires 102 USDT on your balance. This is a reserve, not a fixed extra charge: the amount used depends on execution. You also need ETH or BNB to pay for gas.
Creating a ladder through Zap costs 0.10% of the quote-token portion of the input (stablecoin / WETH / WBNB). The calculation already accounts for this fee. See Fees and Zap contracts.
Creating a pool from inside the zap
If the required pool does not exist, Zap can create it together with the ladder. You will see the new pool’s starting price before confirming.
The New-pool starting price setting determines its source:
- Type it in — use the price you entered. This is the default.
- Use the aggregator quote — use the swap’s exchange rate. Your manually entered price remains a reference for checking the quote.
You set a new pool’s starting price. If it differs significantly from the market, other traders can profit from the difference at your liquidity’s expense. Check the price on the confirmation screen.
If the application cannot check the pool’s state, it stops the calculation. A failed lookup does not count as confirmation that the pool is missing.
Creating a new pool cannot be combined with supplying both tokens through Zap or with Market APE. Those scenarios require an existing pool.
If someone gets there first
Someone may create the same pool while you review the calculation. The application will show the pool’s actual price and offer to recalculate the ladder.
Recalculate and review the terms again. Do not repeat the old calculation: it was prepared to create a pool, and that pool now exists.
Native V4 pools
These pools use ETH or BNB itself, rather than WETH or WBNB. Zap supports them only on Uniswap V4, when this feature is enabled in the application. This entry method is unavailable on V3 and PancakeSwap V4.
Errors you may see
| What happened | What to do |
|---|---|
| Swap too small | Increase the amount: it is below the minimum swap size |
| Price out of band | Refresh the calculation: the swap quote differs from your chosen price |
| Deviation too large | Check the new pool’s starting price against the market price |
| Pool already created | Recalculate and check the existing pool’s price |
| Mint overspend | Refresh the calculation. If the error persists, check Zap slippage and mint headroom |
| Pool hook takes funds | Choose another pool: this hook is unsupported. See V4 pool restrictions |
When to touch the parameters
Start with your saved settings and review the calculation before confirming.
- The price has changed — refresh the calculation. The stale-quote threshold protects against submitting outdated terms.
- Price movement prevents execution — check Zap slippage. A higher tolerance allows execution at a less favourable price.
- There is not enough reserve to create positions — check mint headroom. Increasing it requires a larger balance.
The Normal / Extreme switch above Zap In selects a set of tolerances. Extreme allows larger deviations; it does not guarantee successful execution. You can edit both sets in Settings.