What should I check first?

Real product, team, tokenomics, audits, community, and on-chain activity.

How to spot red flags?

Unreal promises, unaudited contracts, excessive permissions, aggressive marketing.

Total Value Locked. Useful but not the only metric.

What is a token unlock?

Token release schedule. Can add sell pressure as supply increases.

How to assess liquidity?

Volume, depth, and spreads. Avoid illiquid pairs.

What does an audit mean?

Third-party code review. It reduces risk but isn’t a guarantee.

Multiple signatures control. Can improve security if properly set.

How to reduce interaction risk?

Separate wallet, limited approvals, revoke permissions.

CEX or DEX to enter/exit?

Depends on liquidity/fees. On DEX review route and slippage.

Is this financial advice?

No—educational/informational content.

Fees (gas) and slippage on BNB Chain: how to calculate, adjust and save

Sometimes the real pain isn’t the investment, but the invisible tolls. Gas and slippage are those silent costs.

TL;DR

✅ Gas is the cost of using the network.
✅ Slippage is the gap between expected and executed price.
⚠️ High slippage means potential losses.
✅ Adjusting settings and timing saves money.

Context

Every transaction on BNB Chain requires gas. On DEXs like PancakeSwap, slippage can impact the final amount received. Knowing both helps you avoid surprises.

Prerequisites

A wallet set up on BNB Chain.
Basic understanding of swaps on DEXs.
Awareness of trading risks in DeFi.

Step by step

Check current gas fees: view in your wallet or BscScan.
Set slippage: on PancakeSwap, 0.5%–1% works for most tokens.
Test with small amounts: always start with a trial.
Calculate total cost: include gas and slippage together.
Confirm final trade once parameters are safe.

💡 Tip: try trading late at night when traffic is lower. ⚠️ Safety: avoid accepting high slippage on unknown tokens.

Security checklist

⚠️ Always confirm network (BEP20 on withdrawals).
⚠️ Run a test transaction before sending large sums.
⚠️ Adjust slippage manually for low-liquidity tokens.
⚠️ Avoid peak network congestion.
⚠️ Keep a record of fees in your history.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Wrong network → funds lost. Prevention: confirm BEP20.
High slippage → overpaying. Prevention: keep tolerance tight.
Forgetting hidden CEX fees → unexpected costs. Prevention: review exchange fee schedules.

Practical examples

A 100 USDT to BNB swap with 1% slippage may execute at 99 USDT if volatility is high.
Gas at night can be 30% cheaper than during peak hours.

Quick comparisons

BNB Chain gas: low but variable.
Ethereum gas: high and volatile.
Slippage on BNB Chain: minimal for large tokens, higher for small-cap.

Editorial note

Fees are inevitable, but control is possible. In DeFi, smart adjustments mean higher returns.

Next step

Read [Crypto security essentials](/en/guides/security).

Results / Conclusion

The key isn’t avoiding fees and slippage — it’s learning to manage them wisely.

Fees and Slippage on BNB Chain ✨