My Ethereum to Bitcoin Swap: A Personal Experience

Today is November 6th, 2025, and the crypto market feels… uneasy. I’ve been actively involved in crypto for about seven years now, and I’ve learned to recognize these dips. Currently, Bitcoin is hovering around $102,000 and Ethereum is struggling to stay above $3,300. I decided, after some careful consideration, to move a portion of my Ethereum holdings into Bitcoin. Here’s my personal experience, detailing the process and the factors influencing my decision.

Why I Made the Swap

Honestly, the recent news is what pushed me. I’ve been reading reports all day about significant outflows from both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. It seems investors are getting spooked by the possibility of continued high interest rates and the recent surge in US layoffs – over 153,000, according to the latest data. I felt a need to consolidate into what I perceive as the slightly ‘safer’ asset, which, in my experience, is usually Bitcoin during times of market uncertainty. I wasn’t necessarily predicting a massive crash, but I wanted to reduce my exposure to Ethereum’s current volatility.

I also noticed the Ethereum funding rates had dipped below zero, indicating a bearish sentiment. While some analysts are predicting a short squeeze, I wasn’t willing to gamble on that. I prefer a more conservative approach, especially with a substantial portion of my portfolio.

The Process: Using a Centralized Exchange

I opted to use StellarX, a centralized exchange I’ve used for years. I find their interface relatively straightforward and their fees are competitive. I’ve tried decentralized exchanges (DEXs) before, but for a larger swap like this, I prefer the speed and security of a reputable CEX.

1. Verification: I logged into my StellarX account and, as always, had to go through the two-factor authentication process.
2. Deposit Ethereum: I initiated a withdrawal of 5 ETH from my Ledger Nano X hardware wallet. It took about 20 minutes for the transaction to confirm on the Ethereum network.
3. Trade ETH/BTC: Once the ETH was in my StellarX account, I went to the trading pair ETH/BTC. The price was showing around 0.030 BTC per 1 ETH.
4. Limit Order: I didn’t want to execute the trade immediately at the market price, fearing a slight dip. I set a limit order to sell my 5 ETH for 0.0305 BTC per ETH.
5. Execution & Confirmation: Thankfully, my order filled within about an hour. The exchange confirmed the trade, and the equivalent amount of Bitcoin (0.1525 BTC) was credited to my StellarX account.
6. Withdraw Bitcoin: Finally, I initiated a withdrawal of the 0.1525 BTC to my Trezor Model T hardware wallet. This took approximately 30 minutes to confirm on the Bitcoin network.

Fees and Slippage

The fees were fairly standard: StellarX charges a 0.1% trading fee. I also paid the standard Ethereum network gas fees for the initial deposit, which were around $15. The Bitcoin network fee for withdrawal was minimal, around $3. I was fortunate to avoid significant slippage because I used a limit order. Had I used a market order, I suspect I would have gotten a slightly worse exchange rate.

My Observations & Final Thoughts

The entire process took around 2.5 hours, primarily due to network confirmation times. I did notice a slight delay in the execution of my limit order, likely due to the overall market caution. The outflows from the ETFs definitely created a bit of downward pressure, and I suspect that’s why my order wasn’t filled immediately;

I’m not saying this is the right move for everyone. I made this decision based on my own risk tolerance and my assessment of the current market conditions. I believe Bitcoin, while not immune to downturns, offers a degree of stability that Ethereum currently lacks, given the prevailing economic anxieties. I’ll continue to monitor the market closely, and I’m prepared to re-evaluate my position if things change. For now, I feel more comfortable with a larger allocation to Bitcoin.