1inch

1inch is a non-custodial DEX aggregator for users who want a connected wallet to trade through liquidity held by other decentralized exchanges. It matters because it puts immediate DEX routing, intent-based swaps, limit orders and cross-chain swaps into materially different modes rather than treating every token exchange as the same action.

Classic routes through fragmented DEX liquidity

In Classic mode, the Aggregation Protocol can split one market swap across multiple DEX liquidity sources and market depth, then settle the selected route atomically on the chosen chain. That can matter for a pair whose liquidity is fragmented instead of concentrated in one pool.

The wallet signs the required approval and swap transaction and supplies native gas. Slippage tolerance and gas strategy therefore matter to Classic’s immediate, direct on-chain execution, which remains subject to price movement before settlement.

Fusion resolver auctions and partial fills

Fusion is a same-chain intent mode: the trader signs an order and resolvers compete in a Dutch auction to fill and submit it. On EVM Fusion, the resolver pays settlement gas, so a submitted or expired order does not require the trader to hold native gas. A large order can also be filled in portions rather than by one resolver at once.

That gasless design trades direct immediacy for an auction. An order can remain partly filled or expire if no resolver will execute within its price and time limits. Resolvers stake 1INCH and register to fill these orders, tying the token to the resolver system rather than to AMM liquidity shares.

Fusion+ cross-chain escrows and v4 limit orders

Fusion+ applies the signed-intent and resolver approach across chains. The winning resolver sets up linked, time-limited escrows on the source and destination chains; a shared secret completes both sides, while timeout recovery returns assets when completion fails. The user receives the destination asset directly instead of first receiving a bridged representation, but the process has more states and can take longer than a same-chain swap.

The Pro interface's v4 limit orders serve a separate target-price use. A trader signs an off-chain order with a price and validity period, and a taker can fill it when viable. It does not reserve wallet tokens, so moving the sell balance can leave an active order unable to fill.

Broader routing modes than Bebop's firm quotes

Bebop is a close choice for a supported pair where a firm price and guaranteed fill from professional market-maker inventory matter most. 1inch Classic routes through decentralized liquidity, while Fusion uses resolver competition; it also gives a consumer-facing choice of Classic, Fusion, limit orders and Fusion+ cross-chain swaps.

UniswapX is the closer alternative for an EVM intent swap because both use signed orders, Dutch-auction competition and gas-free settlement. 1inch also provides Classic aggregation, a v4 limit-order protocol and Fusion+ cross-chain execution.