Rift vs. THORChain
Rift Research
Last updated
TLDR: Rift is an aggregator with best price execution. It includes THORChain and all other supported venues in its routes. Rift adds 0 fee on the route, so you are guaranteed at least as good a rate as going to THORChain directly. If THORChain has the best route, Rift gives you that route with no added fee.
THORChain is a native cross-chain AMM. Swaps route through RUNE pools and are secured by a bonded node set. Rift is an aggregator on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Hyperliquid, RobinhoodChain, Tempo, XLayer, Ink and Pharos.
Short version
| Dimension | Rift | THORChain |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Aggregator | Native cross-chain AMM |
| Fee | Zero added fee on every route | Slip-based liquidity fee + outbound network fee |
| Settlement | Native | Native (via RUNE) |
| Trust model | TEE | Economic security (bonded value > value at risk) |
| Chains | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Hyperliquid, RobinhoodChain, Tempo, XLayer, Ink and Pharos | Broader (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cosmos ecosystem assets, etc.) |
| Best for | Best price execution across venues | Direct native swaps, especially where pool depth is strong |
Where each wins
THORChain wins when:
- You want to go direct to a deep native AMM
- You need assets or chains Rift does not support
- Streaming swaps or specific THORChain features are useful
- Live pool conditions beat other venues on your size
Rift wins when:
- You want best price execution across THORChain, Chainflip, Garden, intent rails and others
- Zero added fee matters
- You prefer not to manually monitor multiple venues
Key differences
THORChain is a venue with continuous liquidity pools and economic security. Slippage scales with trade size relative to pool depth.
Rift is an aggregator. It includes THORChain in its venue set. When THORChain wins, Rift routes through THORChain and you receive that rate with no added fee. The only extra cost versus going direct is the gas of the additional hop.
When to use which
- Use THORChain directly when you know its pools are the best option for your size and pair.
- Use Rift when you want best price execution across native venues at zero added fee.