Introduction
In volatile markets like crypto, every basis point counts. One of the most common and frustrating issues for traders—especially those executing large orders—is slippage. But what exactly is slippage, and why does it matter so much in crypto? In this article, we’ll explain how slippage occurs, its impact on your trades, and how RockBridge’s OTC desk removes it entirely—while allowing you to retain full custody of your assets.
What Is Slippage?
Slippage refers to the difference between the expected price of a trade and the price at which the trade is actually executed. It happens when there isn’t enough liquidity at the desired price level, forcing the trade to “walk the book”—that is, to get filled at worse and worse prices.
For example, if you try to buy 10 BTC at $65,000 on an exchange, but the order book only has 3 BTC available at that price, the rest of your order may be filled at $65,200, $65,500, or even higher. This creates price slippage—a hidden cost that eats into profits or inflates entry prices.
Why Slippage Is Worse in Crypto
Unlike traditional equities, most crypto exchanges have shallow liquidity—especially for large trades. Factors that amplify slippage in crypto:
- Fragmented markets across different exchanges
- Highly volatile assets with sudden price gaps
- Bots and front-running
- Low order book depth during off-peak hours
Even market orders as small as $50,000 can cause noticeable slippage in certain tokens.
How OTC Trading Eliminates Slippage
Over-the-counter (OTC) trading sidesteps public order books entirely. Instead of hitting bids and offers, trades are executed directly with a counterparty at a pre-agreed price.
At RockBridge, we quote you a fixed price based on real-time liquidity across top-tier exchanges and dark pools. Once you agree, that’s the price you get—no spread expansion, no slippage, no surprises.
Key advantages:
- Fixed execution price for large blocks
- Zero slippage regardless of market volatility
- Private trades without alerting the market
- Custom settlement terms tailored to your needs
Self-Custody Friendly: We Never Touch Your Coins
One of the biggest risks in crypto trading is custodial exposure. At RockBridge, we believe in self-custody first. We never require users to deposit funds with us in advance.
How it works:
- You retain full control of your assets in your own wallet
- Trade settlement occurs peer-to-peer
- All communication and pricing is human, confidential, and tailored
This approach provides institutional-grade execution without compromising your asset security.
Conclusion: Execute Big Without Getting Slipped
Slippage can quietly erode your performance, especially when trading size. With RockBridge OTC, you get fixed pricing, no surprises, and full control of your funds. We combine deep liquidity, custom service, and secure settlement—helping you move size without market impact.
Ready to eliminate slippage and trade with confidence? Learn more about our OTC service and contact us to get started today.