Pending inbound marks the first stage of a crypto swap

Pending inbound means a crypto swap’s deposit has been sent but has not yet cleared the protocol’s checks for processing. On THORChain, that can mean the source-chain transaction is awaiting confirmation, node observation or finality; the status alone does not mean the swap has completed.

What happens during pending inbound?

THORChain’s developer documentation describes a sequence: the source blockchain confirms the deposit, network nodes observe it, and the protocol waits for any required additional confirmations before processing. A swap then runs through liquidity pools, and the destination asset is sent in a separate outbound transaction.

For a swap between two assets other than RUNE, THORChain routes value through its pools, with RUNE connecting them. The user initiates one swap, while the protocol handles the pool steps; thor swap offers more detail on presenting that cross-chain flow to integrators.

Why can pending inbound take time?

The wait depends on the source chain’s block time, the number of confirmations required and how quickly nodes reach agreement that they saw the same transaction. THORChain’s wait-time documentation says confirmation requirements can vary by chain and transaction value, while network traffic can affect later stages.

That makes pending inbound different from a destination-side delay. If the deposit has not reached the protocol’s observation and confirmation thresholds, the swap itself may not yet have started. Once it has, the transaction can still wait for outbound scheduling and confirmation on the destination chain.

What should you check when a swap is pending?

Start with the source transaction hash in the relevant blockchain explorer. Check that the transaction is confirmed, that it went to the intended deposit address, and that its amount and any required memo match the swap instructions.

• If the transaction is unconfirmed on its source chain, the protocol cannot process it yet.
• If it is confirmed but not reflected in the swap tracker, check the tracker’s transaction details or status endpoint.
• If the inbound stage is complete, look for a separate outbound transaction or an explicit error or refund status.

Do not resend the deposit just because a tracker has not updated; first verify the transaction on the source chain and use the swap provider’s support route if the status remains unclear. THORChain’s documentation says total wait times vary from seconds to longer periods depending on chain, swap size and network conditions. The next step is observation and confirmation; whether a particular pending transaction will proceed or be refunded remains unconfirmed until its status updates.