How to Avoid Crypto Swap Scams in 2025

TL;DR:

Swapping crypto is fast and convenient – but also a prime target for scammers. From fake DEX websites and honeypot tokens to phishing approvals and “AI-powered” swap bots, crypto users face serious risks. This guide breaks down the top crypto swap scams in 2025 and shows you how to avoid them. Learn how to swap crypto securely, what red flags to watch for, and why trusted platforms like Symbiosis offer the safest way to perform cross-chain crypto swaps without getting burned.

Crypto Swapping Scams to Avoid 

1. Fake or Malicious Crypto Swap Sites

The scam: Cloned platforms that steal your funds on approval

Bad actors often replicate popular DEXs – like Uniswap, PancakeSwap, or even cross-chain platforms – by mimicking their user interface and hosting them on nearly identical URLs. These fake swap sites lure users into connecting their crypto wallets. Once connected, a malicious smart contract asks for approval and silently executes transactions to drain your assets.

Why it works: Everything looks familiar – logos, design, even fake audit badges. But behind the scenes, you're not interacting with a decentralized exchange. You're handing over access to a wallet-draining script.

Case in point: In June 2025, Cointelegraph’s website was hijacked via a front-end exploit. A fake banner promoted a “CoinTelegraph ICO Airdrop,” complete with a forged CertiK audit badge. Users who clicked were led to a spoofed swap site, where malicious contracts siphoned off assets once the wallet was connected and token approvals were granted.

Protect yourself:

• Always verify URLs – bookmark the correct ones and avoid links shared in pop-ups or Telegram chats;

• Use tools that show smart contract security ratings before interacting;

• Revoke token approvals regularly if you’ve connected to untrusted platforms.

2. Scam Tokens with No Liquidity or Exit

The scam: Honeypot tokens that trap your crypto on purpose

Sometimes you don’t even visit a scam site – the scam comes to you. Airdropped tokens with convincing names or promoted “new gems” often encourage users to trade them back into ETH or USDT. But here’s the trick: those tokens are coded to be unsellable or rigged with hidden fees that quietly drain your gas.

Common traps include:

• No liquidity pools: The token shows up in your wallet but can’t be swapped;

• Honeypot contracts: You can buy, but not sell;

• Gas siphoning: Some contracts drain ETH when you attempt a swap.

Recent trends: Binance’s SAFU team reported a spike in these honeypot scams in mid-2025. In some cases, only the token creator could sell – everyone else was stuck holding the bag. 

Another twist called token poisoning emerged on Solana, where attackers airdropped tokens that mimicked legit holdings. Users who tried to trade them inadvertently interacted with the scam version, locking up their funds.

How to avoid it:

• Use token scanners to check for liquidity and liquidity pool risks;

• Don’t interact with unknown tokens in your wallet – especially unsolicited ones;

• Check if a token address is listed on trusted aggregators before swapping crypto tokens.

3. Phishing via Token Approval Scams

The scam: Sites trick users into granting unlimited wallet permissions

In these attacks, users are prompted to “approve” access to their tokens – often under the guise of verifying a wallet or confirming a transaction. But once you approve, scammers gain unrestricted access to transfer your funds without needing future confirmation.

Unlike traditional crypto swap transactions, these approvals stay active in the background – and you might not notice until it’s too late.

Real-world example: On June 20, 2025, CoinMarketCap was briefly compromised. A fake pop-up urged users to “Verify Wallet” and grant full approval for ERC-20 tokens. Despite swift action to remove the malicious script, reports indicated that some users lost funds after unknowingly handing over access.

The U.S. Secret Service later linked similar approval phishing tactics to over $4 million in on-chain thefts. These scams often use legitimate-looking domains and urgent messages to push users into acting fast.

Best practices:

• Use tools like Revoke.cash to revoke token approvals regularly;

• Limit token permissions when prompted – avoid “unlimited” approvals;

• Be wary of unexpected wallet pop-ups or connection requests.

4. “High-Yield” Telegram & Discord Crypto Swaps

The scam: Wallet-to-wallet swaps promising big returns – but there’s no contract, no recourse

In private channels across Telegram and Discord, scammers offer what sound like incredible deals: wallet-to-wallet swaps at above-market rates. Their pitch is usually along the lines of “Send me $500 in ETH, I’ll send back $700.” It’s positioned as fast, off-exchange, and risk-free.

But the danger is real. These are manual OTC crypto swaps – off-chain, untraceable, and built entirely on trust. Once you send your crypto, the scammer blocks you, deletes the chat, and vanishes. There’s no smart contract to reverse the transaction and no DEX dispute mechanism to fall back on.

Case study: In June 2025, TradingView exposed a $50 million scam network operating across Telegram groups. Scammers first executed a handful of small, legitimate trades using popular tokens like SUI and SEI. 

Once users felt safe, they were baited into sending larger amounts – then instantly ghosted. These trust-building scams thrive in tight-knit crypto communities, where reputation can be faked and risk is easily overlooked.

How to protect yourself:

• Never complete swaps through manual channels – always use on-chain, verifiable contracts.

• Avoid unsolicited DMs offering high returns.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

5. Fake AI Crypto Swap Bots

The scam: Bots that promise “AI-powered” profits but are coded to lose – or don’t exist at all

The rise of AI in crypto has brought innovation – but also deception. A growing number of platforms now advertise “autonomous AI swap bots” that claim to generate high-yield returns by trading tokens across DEXs using complex algorithms and market data.

Unfortunately, many of these bots are outright scams. Some never execute any trades. Others lose funds on purpose, route assets into honeypot token scams, or operate as Ponzi schemes, where early users are paid using deposits from newer ones.

Real example: Kolin Lukas Deshazo was charged in California in 2024 for running an “AI-powered trading bot” that didn’t exist. He simply gambled with investor money. Around the same time, a Guardian investigation exposed a call-center ring using deepfake celebrity videos – featuring Elon Musk and others – to lure users into fake AI swap platforms. 

The platforms used Facebook ads to gain traction, then funneled money directly to scam wallets.

According to Chainalysis, scams involving AI crypto trading bots accounted for nearly $10 billion in crypto losses in 2025 alone.

Avoid the trap:

• Stick to transparent, audited platforms with open-source routing – not black-box bots.

• Don’t trust unverified AI tools that promise guaranteed gains.

• Check if the platform has independent reviews and smart contract audits.

Swap Crypto Securely with Symbiosis

If there’s one way to dramatically reduce your risk of crypto swap scams, it’s to stick with a non-custodial, audited crypto swap platform like Symbiosis. 

Here’s how it defends against the schemes we’ve outlined:

1. One-Click Cross-Chain Crypto Swaps

Symbiosis enables true cross-chain token transfers – you can move assets between EVM and non-EVM chains in a single transaction. No bridges. No wrappers. No fragmented steps that scammers can exploit.

2. Audited Smart Contracts

The entire system – including the swap engine and relayer network – has been independently audited by security firms like Decurity. That means smart contract security is verified, and risks of hidden code are minimized.

3. Secure MPC-Based Relayer Network

Swaps are processed using Multi-Party Computation (MPC) relayers. These nodes sign transactions off-chain without ever taking custody of your funds – reducing the attack surface and preventing insider exploits.

4. Smart Routing Engine

Symbiosis aggregates liquidity across 30+ chains and 430+ tokens, automatically optimizing every swap. That means lower fees, minimal crypto swap slippage, and real-time checks for liquidity pool risks.

5. Fully Non-Custodial & Privacy-First

There’s no KYC, no account creation, and no custodial risk. Your assets stay in your wallet – and if a swap fails, Symbiosis guarantees refunds in stablecoins like USDT or USDC.

Why Symbiosis Is a Secure Crypto Swap Solution

If you want to swap crypto safely – whether across chains, through a DEX, or between ecosystems – Symbiosis is the best crypto swap platform to get it done securely. 

Bookmark the real site, symbiosis.finance, and avoid falling for phishing links or scam clones.

Swap crypto securely now! 

Crypto Swap Scams: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a crypto swap?

A crypto swap is the process of exchanging one cryptocurrency for another, either within the same network or across different blockchains. The easiest and safest way to do this today is through a platform like Symbiosis, which enables seamless, cross-chain crypto swaps in a single transaction – no need for bridges, wrappers, or multiple steps.

How can I swap crypto safely in 2025?

The safest way to swap crypto in 2025 is to use a non-custodial, audited platform that doesn’t require logins or hand over control of your assets. Symbiosis is built for this – it uses secure smart contracts, Multi-Party Computation (MPC) relayers, and real-time liquidity routing to eliminate most common risks found in other swap platforms.

Why do crypto swap scams happen so often?

Scams thrive in decentralized environments because there’s no customer support or way to reverse a bad transaction. Many platforms fail to audit their smart contracts or leave users exposed to token approval phishing and liquidity pool risks. That’s why Symbiosis was designed to close these loopholes – with verified domains, permission-aware smart contracts, and refund mechanisms that protect users even in the rare case of a failed swap.

What makes Symbiosis the best crypto swap platform right now?

Symbiosis offers a level of transparency, security, and convenience few platforms match:

• True cross-chain swaps – move assets across 30+ networks with one click;

• Audited DeFi protocol with full smart contract transparency;

• No KYC or custody – your funds stay in your wallet;

• Built-in slippage reduction and gas optimization;

• Refund guarantees in USDT/USDC if a swap fails.

This makes it the most secure crypto swap solution for both beginners and advanced traders.

Can token approval scams drain my wallet?

Yes – many scams rely on tricking users into approving malicious smart contracts with unlimited permissions. But with Symbiosis, you never interact with unverified contracts. Every swap runs through audited, open-source code, and you’re always in control of permissions. For extra peace of mind, users can still revoke token approvals using tools like Revoke.cash.

What if I want to swap tokens that aren’t on the same chain?

That’s exactly what Symbiosis specializes in. Most platforms can only support same-chain swaps or rely on risky bridge setups. Symbiosis solves this by using a secure MPC-based network to execute cross-chain token transfers without exposing you to unnecessary risk or delay.

How does Symbiosis protect me from fake tokens or honeypots?

Symbiosis routes every trade through liquidity pools with live verification and checks. If a token lacks liquidity or exhibits honeypot behavior, the platform flags it and prevents the swap. That means you’re less likely to fall into scam token traps often seen on random DEXs or Telegram trading groups.

What is swap slippage and how does Symbiosis handle it?

Crypto swap slippage happens when there’s not enough liquidity to fill your trade at the expected price. Symbiosis solves this using a smart routing engine that splits large orders across multiple liquidity sources to get you the best possible rate with minimal slippage.