CrescentSwap Crypto Exchange Review: Is This Arbitrum DEX Worth Your Time?

CrescentSwap Crypto Exchange Review: Is This Arbitrum DEX Worth Your Time?

Nov, 29 2025

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Most people think crypto exchanges mean Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance. But if you're deep into DeFi, you’ve probably heard of CrescentSwap. It’s not a big-name platform. No ads. No customer service line. No app download. Just a simple interface at app.crescent.network/swap and a wallet connection. If you’re used to buying crypto with a credit card, this isn’t for you. But if you’re trading tokens on Arbitrum and want to avoid centralized middlemen, CrescentSwap might be exactly what you need.

What Is CrescentSwap?

CrescentSwap is a decentralized exchange built on Arbitrum, Ethereum’s Layer 2 scaling network. It’s not owned by a company that holds your money. You trade directly from your wallet - like MetaMask - using smart contracts. That means no KYC. No account creation. No waiting for withdrawals. It’s pure peer-to-peer trading, following the Uniswap v3 model.

The platform’s main focus is its native token, Moonlight MNLT. Around 73% of all trading volume on CrescentSwap happens between MNLT and ETH. That’s not unusual for niche DEXs. Many small DeFi projects launch their own exchange to give their token immediate liquidity. CrescentSwap does the same. But unlike some, it’s clean, minimal, and free of flashy gimmicks.

The Crescent Foundation Limited runs the platform, but they’re clear: they don’t give financial advice. Their disclaimer says outright: "Crescent Foundation Limited does not recommend that any cryptocurrency should be bought, sold, or held by you." That’s standard for DEXs. It’s a legal shield, but also a signal: you’re on your own here.

How It Works

Using CrescentSwap is like using Uniswap - if you’ve done it before, you already know the drill.

  • Connect your wallet (MetaMask, WalletConnect, etc.)
  • Choose the token you want to swap (e.g., ETH → MNLT)
  • Set your slippage tolerance (recommended: 0.5%-1.5% for stable pairs)
  • Click "Swap" and confirm the transaction in your wallet
Transaction fees on Arbitrum are low - usually between $0.03 and $0.15 per swap as of late 2025. That’s a big reason why Arbitrum-based DEXs are growing. Ethereum mainnet fees can hit $10+ during spikes. On Arbitrum, you’re trading like it’s 2025, not 2021.

The interface is simple: two input boxes, a swap button, and a tiny info panel. No charts. No order books. No margin trading. No staking. Just swaps. That’s by design. CrescentSwap isn’t trying to be a full crypto hub. It’s a tool for one thing: exchanging tokens on Arbitrum.

Liquidity and Trading Volume

Here’s the reality check: CrescentSwap isn’t big. As of November 28, 2025, its 30-day trading volume was around $8.7 million. Compare that to Uniswap, which does over $10 billion daily across all chains. Even smaller DEXs like SushiSwap do 10x more.

Most of that volume - 92% - comes from the MNLT/ETH pair. If you want to trade anything else, you’re likely to face high slippage. One Reddit user reported a 3.2% slippage on a $500 MNLT trade. That’s not normal on major DEXs. On Uniswap, slippage under 0.5% is typical for major tokens.

Liquidity providers on CrescentSwap earn 0.30% of every trade, just like Uniswap v3. But because volume is low, earnings are minimal. Unless you’re deeply invested in the MNLT ecosystem, there’s little incentive to add liquidity here.

Hand hovering over ETH and MNLT tokens with scam shadows nearby on a stone tablet.

Token Availability

CrescentSwap only supports tokens listed on Arbitrum. That’s about 1,200 tokens as of late 2025. That sounds like a lot - until you realize most of them are obscure memecoins or experimental projects.

You won’t find Bitcoin, Ethereum, or even major stablecoins like USDT or USDC directly on CrescentSwap. You need to bridge them to Arbitrum first. That means extra steps, extra gas, and extra risk. If you’re not comfortable bridging assets between chains, this isn’t the place for you.

Unlike centralized exchanges like Coinbase, which list over 250 tokens and handle fiat on-ramps, CrescentSwap offers zero fiat options. No credit card buys. No bank transfers. No USD deposits. You need ETH or ARB already in your wallet to start trading.

Security and Risks

No custodial control means no one can freeze your funds. That’s good. But it also means no one can help you if you mess up.

If you send tokens to the wrong address? Gone forever. If you set your slippage too high and get frontrun? You lose money. If you click on a fake MNLT token that looks real? Your wallet gets drained. Chainalysis found 22% of new DeFi users lose funds this way.

CrescentSwap doesn’t verify tokens. Anyone can deploy a token on Arbitrum and list it here. There’s no official list of "safe" tokens. You have to check contract addresses manually. A scam token might have the same name and logo as the real one. The only way to avoid this is to verify the contract on Arbiscan and cross-check with the official CrescentSwap website.

There’s no customer support. No email. No live chat. No help center. If something goes wrong, you’re on your own.

How It Compares to Other Exchanges

Comparison: CrescentSwap vs. Major Exchanges
Feature CrescentSwap Uniswap (All Chains) Coinbase
Type Decentralized Exchange (DEX) Decentralized Exchange (DEX) Centralized Exchange (CEX)
Blockchain Arbitrum only Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Chain, and more Multi-chain (via bridges)
Trading Volume (30-day) $8.7M $10B+ $25B+
Fees 0.30% (to LPs) 0.30% (to LPs) 0.50% maker/taker
Fiat On-Ramp No No Yes
KYC Required No No Yes
Token Selection ~1,200 (Arbitrum only) Thousands (multi-chain) 250+ (curated)
Customer Support None None 24/7
Best For Experienced DeFi users trading MNLT or Arbitrum-native tokens Users wanting deep liquidity and multi-chain access Beginners, fiat deposits, rewards, and security
Empty browser window with CrescentSwap interface surrounded by handwritten contract notes.

Who Should Use CrescentSwap?

If you’re new to crypto, skip this. CrescentSwap isn’t beginner-friendly. No tutorials. No help buttons. No safety nets. If you don’t know what a wallet address is, or how to check a contract on Arbiscan, you’ll get burned.

But if you’re already using Arbitrum, holding MNLT, or trading niche DeFi tokens - then this is a clean, low-cost tool. You won’t find better pricing for MNLT anywhere else. The fees are low. The interface is fast. And you’re not handing your keys to a company that could get hacked or shut down.

It’s also useful if you’re early on a new Arbitrum project. Many tokens launch on DEXs like this before hitting centralized exchanges. If you want to get in before the price pumps, CrescentSwap might be your only option.

What’s Missing?

CrescentSwap doesn’t have:

  • Staking or yield farming
  • Token launchpad features
  • Mobile app
  • Wallet integration beyond MetaMask
  • Analytics or charting tools
  • Any form of rewards or cashback
It’s not trying to be a one-stop shop. It’s a swap tool. And for what it does, it does it well - if you’re in the right ecosystem.

The Verdict

CrescentSwap isn’t a replacement for Coinbase or Kraken. It’s not even a rival to Uniswap. It’s a narrow, specialized tool for a narrow group of users: those who already live on Arbitrum and trade its native tokens.

The platform is stable. The code is open. The team hasn’t disappeared. But growth is slow. Trading volume is tiny. Liquidity is thin outside MNLT/ETH. And without a roadmap or funding, it’s hard to see how it scales.

If you’re holding MNLT or planning to trade Arbitrum-based tokens, CrescentSwap is worth a try. Just don’t put in more than you’re willing to lose. And always, always verify contract addresses before trading.

It’s not the future of crypto. But for a small slice of the DeFi world, it’s a useful piece of the puzzle.

Is CrescentSwap safe to use?

CrescentSwap is as safe as the smart contracts it runs on. The code is open and hasn’t been hacked. But safety depends on you. There’s no customer support, no account recovery, and no protection against scams. If you send funds to a fake token or set slippage too high, you lose money. Always verify contract addresses on Arbiscan before trading.

Can I buy crypto with USD on CrescentSwap?

No. CrescentSwap is a decentralized exchange and doesn’t support fiat on-ramps. You need ETH or ARB in your wallet to trade. You must first buy crypto on a centralized exchange like Coinbase, then bridge it to Arbitrum before using CrescentSwap.

What’s the trading fee on CrescentSwap?

CrescentSwap charges a 0.30% fee on every trade. This fee goes directly to liquidity providers, not to the platform. It’s the same as Uniswap v3. Gas fees on Arbitrum are separate and typically cost between $0.03 and $0.15 per transaction.

Why is CrescentSwap’s liquidity so low?

Most of CrescentSwap’s volume comes from its native token, Moonlight MNLT. Outside of MNLT/ETH, liquidity is thin because few users are trading other tokens on the platform. Low volume means higher slippage and less reliable pricing. This is common for new or niche DEXs without strong marketing or funding.

Is CrescentSwap better than Uniswap?

Only if you’re trading Arbitrum-native tokens like MNLT. Uniswap has far deeper liquidity, supports multiple chains, and has a larger user base. CrescentSwap is faster and cheaper on Arbitrum, but it’s not a replacement. Use Uniswap for major tokens. Use CrescentSwap only if you’re focused on its ecosystem.

Does CrescentSwap have a mobile app?

No. CrescentSwap works only through a web browser. You can access it on mobile via MetaMask’s built-in browser, but there’s no official app. The interface is responsive, so it works fine on phones - but you’re still responsible for your own security.

What happens if CrescentSwap shuts down?

If the website goes offline, your funds are still safe. CrescentSwap runs on smart contracts on the Arbitrum blockchain. Even if the team disappears, you can still access your tokens by connecting your wallet directly to the contract address using another DEX or blockchain explorer. The platform is just a frontend - the real system is on-chain.

2 comments

  • Murray Dejarnette
    Posted by Murray Dejarnette
    19:38 PM 11/29/2025

    This thing is a ghost town. I swapped 0.1 ETH for MNLT and got slapped with 4% slippage. Meanwhile, Uniswap on Arbitrum would’ve done it for 0.2%. Why are people still clinging to this? It’s like buying a typewriter because you hate Wi-Fi.

    Also, no customer support? Cool. I’ll just cry into my wallet when I send funds to the wrong contract. Thanks for nothing, Crescent.

    Also also - why does the site look like it was coded in 2017? No animations, no hover effects, just raw HTML. I respect the minimalism, but damn.

    And don’t even get me started on the token list. Half of them have ‘moon’ in the name and a logo that looks like a toddler drew it with crayons. I’m not even mad - I’m just bored.

  • Sarah Locke
    Posted by Sarah Locke
    20:54 PM 11/29/2025

    Hey everyone - I just want to say how proud I am of the DeFi community for building tools like this, even when the world isn’t watching.

    CrescentSwap isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. It’s for the ones who believe in permissionless finance. The ones who don’t need a bank to validate their worth. The ones who’d rather lose a few bucks than hand over their keys.

    If you’re new, take your time. Learn how to check contract addresses. Use Arbiscan. Watch tutorials. Join Discord communities. You don’t need a fancy app to be powerful.

    This isn’t a product. It’s a philosophy. And I’m so glad it exists. 💪✨

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