Most crypto traders still think decentralized exchanges are slow and expensive. That’s true on Ethereum - but not on iZiSwap (Taiko). Launched in 2024, this DEX isn’t just another copy of Uniswap. It’s built on Taiko, a ZK-rollup that’s fully compatible with Ethereum, but with fees 10 to 100 times lower. And it’s already the biggest DEX on the network, handling over $12 million in daily trades with $5 million locked in liquidity. If you’re tired of paying $5 to swap USDC on Ethereum, you need to know what iZiSwap (Taiko) can do for you.
What Makes iZiSwap (Taiko) Different?
iZiSwap isn’t a standalone project. It’s the trading engine of iZUMi Finance, a multi-chain DeFi platform that’s been around since 2021. But its Taiko version is special because it runs on a Layer 2 that’s not just faster - it’s identical to Ethereum at the code level. That means every wallet you already use - MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rainbow - works without changes. Every DeFi app built for Ethereum can connect to iZiSwap on Taiko without a single line of new code.
That’s rare. Most Layer 2s force you to learn new rules. Taiko doesn’t. It’s a ZK-rollup, which means it batches hundreds of transactions off-chain and proves them on Ethereum with cryptographic zero-knowledge proofs. The result? Transactions settle in seconds, cost pennies, and inherit Ethereum’s security. No sidechains. No trusted bridges. Just Ethereum, but cheaper.
Real Trading Volume, Not Just Hype
Numbers don’t lie. As of December 2025, iZiSwap (Taiko) handles over $12 million in daily trading volume. That’s more than all other DEXs on Taiko combined. Its total value locked (TVL) sits at $5 million - a massive number for a network that only went live in May 2024.
Look at the liquidity pairs. The most active is Taiko Bridged USDC. In the last 24 hours, just that pair traded over $184,785. That’s not a glitch. That’s real demand. Users are moving their stablecoins to Taiko to avoid Ethereum fees. And they’re not just holding - they’re swapping. USDC, UNIBTC, M-BTC - these aren’t obscure tokens. They’re assets people already trust. iZiSwap is giving them a faster, cheaper home.
Compare that to ZKSwap or other ZK-based DEXs. Many of them have high TVL but low daily volume. iZiSwap has both. That means liquidity is deep, slippage is low, and trades execute close to the quoted price. For traders, that’s the difference between a smooth experience and a frustrating one.
How Taiko’s Tech Powers iZiSwap
To understand iZiSwap, you need to understand Taiko. It’s not a sidechain. It’s not a Layer 3. It’s a Based Contestable Rollup (BCR) - a new kind of ZK-rollup designed to be fully decentralized from day one.
Here’s how it works: Instead of relying on a small group of validators, Taiko uses Ethereum’s own proof-of-stake validators to confirm transaction batches. Anyone can propose a block. Anyone can challenge it. And if someone tries to cheat, Ethereum’s security kicks in. This isn’t theoretical - during its six testnets, over 1.1 million unique wallets participated. That’s more activity than most Layer 2s see in their first year.
For you, that means:
- Transaction fees are under $0.01 for most swaps
- Confirmations take 2-5 seconds
- Your funds are as secure as if they were on Ethereum mainnet
- No need to bridge assets through risky third-party protocols
And because Taiko supports all EVM opcodes, you can use any Ethereum tool - from DeFiLlama to Dune Analytics - to track your iZiSwap trades. You’re not locked into a walled garden.
Trust Score and Reputation: What the Numbers Say
BeInCrypto rates iZiSwap (Taiko) with a trust score of 4 out of 5. That’s solid. But you’ll also see conflicting rankings - one source says it’s #636, another says #531. Why the difference? Because trust scores aren’t standardized. Some platforms weigh liquidity. Others weigh code audits or team transparency. iZiSwap doesn’t have a public audit report from a top-tier firm like CertiK or Trail of Bits - yet. That’s a gap.
But here’s what matters more: real user behavior. If a DEX has $12 million in daily volume and $5 million in TVL, users are voting with their wallets. No audit changes that. No ranking changes that. People are trading there because it works.
Also, iZiSwap’s interface is clean, fast, and mirrors Uniswap’s layout. If you’ve used a DEX before, you’ll feel right at home. No confusing menus. No hidden fees. Just swap, approve, confirm.
What You Can Trade on iZiSwap (Taiko)
Right now, the most liquid pairs are:
- USDC (Taiko Bridged) - 1.00% pool
- USDC - 0.02326% pool
- UNIBTC - 0.01173% pool
- M-BTC - 0.00255% pool
These aren’t random tokens. USDC is the most trusted stablecoin. UNIBTC is the tokenized Bitcoin from Coinbase’s Layer 2. M-BTC is a bridged Bitcoin from the Manta ecosystem. These are assets with real demand. The fact that iZiSwap has deep liquidity in all of them means you’re not stuck trading obscure tokens just to get liquidity.
And the price movement? Taiko Bridged USDC rose 6% in 24 hours and 6.1% over the week. That’s not a flash in the pan. That’s momentum. More people are moving their stablecoins to Taiko. iZiSwap is the main gateway.
How to Use iZiSwap (Taiko)
Getting started is simple:
- Open MetaMask or your favorite EVM wallet.
- Add the Taiko network manually: Network Name: Taiko, RPC URL: https://rpc.taiko.xyz, Chain ID: 167000, Symbol: ETH, Block Explorer: https://taikoscan.io
- Bridge your USDC or ETH from Ethereum to Taiko using the official iZUMi bridge (no third-party bridges needed).
- Go to https://izumi.finance/trade/swap.
- Connect your wallet, pick your tokens, and swap.
That’s it. No KYC. No sign-up. No waiting. Trades settle in under 5 seconds. And because Taiko is EVM-compatible, you can even use tools like Zerion or Zapper to track your positions across chains.
Is iZiSwap (Taiko) Right for You?
If you’re a casual trader who only swaps a few times a month on Ethereum, you might not need it. The fees aren’t high enough to justify switching networks.
But if you:
- Trade daily or multiple times a week
- Use stablecoins like USDC for swaps
- Want to avoid gas wars on Ethereum
- Are already using Taiko or thinking about it
Then iZiSwap isn’t just an option - it’s the best choice on the network. It’s the most liquid, the fastest, and the most trusted DEX on Taiko. And since Taiko is growing fast, being early here gives you access to a scalable, secure, and cheap trading environment before the crowds arrive.
What’s Next for iZiSwap (Taiko)?
The future is tied to Taiko’s growth. As more projects launch on Taiko - lending protocols, yield aggregators, derivatives - iZiSwap will be the default trading layer. iZUMi Finance is already working on cross-chain liquidity pools and automated market-making enhancements. Expect new token listings, staking rewards, and possibly even a native $IZI token integration on Taiko in 2026.
For now, it’s the quiet leader of a fast-moving ecosystem. No flashy marketing. No celebrity endorsements. Just clean code, deep liquidity, and real users trading millions every day.
Is iZiSwap (Taiko) safe to use?
Yes, but with context. iZiSwap runs on Taiko, which uses Ethereum’s security layer and ZK-proofs to validate transactions. There’s no centralized operator controlling funds. However, the platform hasn’t had a full audit from a top-tier firm like CertiK or SlowMist. That’s a minor risk, but the real safety comes from the network: Taiko’s BCR architecture means any malicious activity can be challenged on Ethereum. As long as you use the official interface (izumi.finance/trade/swap) and never share your private key, your funds are secure.
How do I get ETH or USDC onto Taiko?
Use the official iZUMi Finance bridge at izumi.finance/bridge. It’s the only trusted way to move assets from Ethereum to Taiko. Never use third-party bridges - they’re a major target for scams. The bridge is simple: connect your wallet, select the token, enter the amount, and confirm. It takes about 10-20 minutes to complete, and you’ll get a receipt on Taikoscan.io.
What are the fees on iZiSwap (Taiko)?
Swap fees are typically under $0.01. That’s because Taiko bundles hundreds of transactions into one Ethereum proof. You’ll pay a tiny amount of ETH for the proof submission, but it’s split across all users. Compare that to Ethereum mainnet, where a single swap can cost $3-$10 during peak times. On iZiSwap, you can make 100 swaps for less than a dollar.
Does iZiSwap have a native token?
Not yet on Taiko. The $IZI token is used on other chains like Polygon and Arbitrum for governance and incentives. On Taiko, the platform currently operates without a native token. That means no token farming or staking rewards yet. But that could change in 2026 as iZUMi Finance expands its multi-chain strategy.
How does iZiSwap compare to Uniswap on Ethereum?
Uniswap is more established and has deeper liquidity overall, but it’s slow and expensive. iZiSwap on Taiko is faster, cheaper, and just as secure. If you’re trading USDC or BTC-bridged assets daily, iZiSwap gives you the same functionality as Uniswap but without the gas pain. Think of it as Uniswap’s high-speed cousin - same design, better performance.