Execution speed on a crypto exchange is important because the longer it takes to execute an order, the higher the chance of the market moving in between when you click to execute the order and the order actually gets executed. Meaning you might get negative slippage…in other words: your order is executed at a price that’s worse than the one you asked for.
Let’s dive deeper.
5 Key Takeaways:
- Speed = Less Slippage: The faster your trade executes, the smaller the window for price changes, minimizing the possibility of slippage.
- Slippage = Price Drift: Slippage happens when the price you click isn’t the price you get. Basically, the price moves between when you click to execute and the order is actually executed.
- What Causes Slippage: Volatility (the market moves faster), poor liquidity (there aren’t enough people placing orders to be able to execute them fast), slow execution, and large order sizes.
- Fast & Liquid ≠ Fair: Even fast platforms with deep liquidity don’t always prevent slippage, because no matter how fast you think you are at placing orders, the institutions you compete against are faster. That means they always get the better price…and you’re slipped to a worse one
- Ouinex Is Fast and Fair: With lightning-fast execution, deep liquidity, and a no-CLOB model, Ouinex stops institutions from sniping your trade. They make the prices, you take the best one no tricks, no skimming, no unfair edge.
Why Order Execution Speed Matters but Fairness Matters More
Let's get straight to it: speed is crucial in trading. If your order takes even a few nanoseconds too long to execute, you're going to get slipped. That means the price you click isn't the price you get. Because the market will have moved in between when you clicked to execute and the order got executed.
Apart from the crypto exchange needing to be fast, it needs deep liquidity lots of buy and sell orders so that you don’t have to wait for a matching order to come through.
You’d think “fast” exchanges with deep liquidity would solve the problem with slippage, right? Even in a volatile market you can only get so much slippage if orders are executed at lightning speed, right?!
Wrong.
Retail traders still get hammered by slippage.
Why?
Because you're not just trading against the market. You're trading against massive financial institutions with tools so advanced, they operate on a different plane of existence. They always get the best price. Their algorithms dissect your pre-set orders and use them against you.
And be honest: when was the last time you got positive slippage? Yeah, didn't think so.
Ouinex: The Fair Speed Advantage
Ouinex doesn’t believe in BS. Of any kind. Our no-CLOB execution model changes the game when it comes to speed and fair execution:
- Institutions can only make prices, not take them.
- The institutions forced to compete against each other to offer the best bid/ask prices to you.
- You get those prices. Period.
- And get this: you can actually get positive slippage. Because on a fair platform, it's possible.
Of course, negative slippage can still happen. We’re fast. Our liquidity is deep. But markets are volatile, and you’re trading against other humans. Slippage is minimized, but it can exist.
That’s why we give you the tools to fight back:
- Real-time estimated slippage: See what you’re up against before you trade.
- Slippage control tool: Set the maximum negative slippage you’ll tolerate we fill whatever part of the order we can that’s under the limit.
We're building a trading platform based on fairness. Not one where institutions get to bully retail traders and steal their profits with unfair speed advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is slippage in crypto trading?
Slippage happens when the price you click to trade isn’t the price you get. Usually, the final execution price is worse especially in fast-moving markets.
2. Why does execution speed matter so much?
Because in volatile markets, even a few milliseconds can mean a totally different price. Faster execution reduces the time gap between your click and the fill, minimizing slippage.
3. Can deep liquidity alone prevent slippage?
Not always. Deep liquidity helps, but if your exchange allows institutional players to front-run or manipulate order books, you’ll still get slipped hard.
4. What causes slippage besides speed?
Volatile markets, thin liquidity, large order sizes, and unfair execution models (like CLOBs) can all lead to slippage even on “fast” platforms.
5. What makes Ouinex different from other exchanges?
Ouinex combines speed, deep liquidity, and a no-CLOB model that levels the playing field. Institutions can only makeprices, not take them so they can’t snipe your trade. You get the best available price, fair and square.
6. Can I still get negative slippage on Ouinex?
Yes, but it’s minimized. And you get tools to fight back:
- Real-time slippage estimates before you trade
- Slippage control tools to cap how much you’re willing to tolerate
7. What is a CLOB and why does it matter?
CLOB stands for Central Limit Order Book. It’s the traditional way most exchanges match buyers and sellers. Problem? It gives institutional traders an unfair edge they see your orders and react faster than you ever could. Ouinex replaces the CLOB with a price-making model that shuts down those advantages.