Validate Transaction Details Before Signing
Introduction
Signing a transaction without validating its details can lead to permanent loss of funds or failed transactions. Errors like incorrect gas fees, mismatched recipient addresses, or misconfigured slippage settings are common and irreversible. This guide explains how to rigorously review transaction details before signing to protect your assets.
Key Transaction Details to Validate
Before approving any transaction, verify the following:
Gas Fees: Network fees required to process the transaction.
Recipient Address: The destination wallet address (e.g.,
0x...for Ethereum).Slippage Tolerance: Allowed price fluctuation for swaps (e.g., 1-3%).
Transaction Data: Hex payloads for smart contract interactions.
Network Compatibility: Ensure the address matches the chain (e.g., BSC vs. Ethereum).
Best Practices
1. Review Gas Fees
Use the Gas Fee Selector: Adjust fees based on urgency:
Gas Tier
When to Use
Risk of Failure
Economy
Non-urgent transactions (e.g., staking)
High
Fast
Most transactions
Low
Fastest
Time-sensitive trades
Very Low
Economy: Slow but cheap (low-priority transactions).
Fast: Balances speed and cost (recommended for most users).
Fastest: High priority (time-sensitive trades).
Check Network Congestion: Use tools like Etherscan Gas Tracker to estimate fees.
2. Double-Check Recipient Addresses
Verify Character-by-Character: Malware can alter copied addresses.
Common Address Formats:Common Address Formats:
Chain
Address Format Example
Ethereum (ETH)
0x1f9090aaE28b8a3dC...Bitcoin (BTC)
bc1qxy2kgdygjrsqtz...BSC (BEP-20)
0x7423270d0c9...Test with a small amount first for unknown addresses.
3. Use the "Preview Swap" Feature
Confirm Rates and Fees: Ensure the expected output matches market rates.
Adjust Slippage:
Low volatility: Set slippage to 1-2%.
High volatility: Use 3-5% to avoid failed swaps.
Below is the preview swap page.
4. Enable Advanced Mode (For Experts)
Inspect Transaction Data: View raw hex payloads to detect malicious smart contracts.
Validate Contract Addresses: Ensure you’re interacting with verified contracts (e.g., check Etherscan’s “Verified” badge).
Step-by-Step Workflow
Before Signing a Transaction:
Open Transaction Preview: Review the summary screen.
Confirm Recipient Address:
Manually type the first/last 4 characters of the address.
Use wallet features like ENS domains (e.g.,
vitalik.eth).
Adjust Gas Fees:
Select a gas tier (Economy/Fast/Fastest) based on urgency.
Preview Swap Details:
Check slippage, minimum received, and network fees.
Enable Advanced Mode (if needed):
Review raw data for suspicious function calls.
After Signing:
Track Transaction Status: Use block explorers (e.g., Etherscan) to monitor progress.
Cancel/Replace Stuck Transactions:
Speed up: Resubmit with higher gas.
Cancel: Send a $0 transaction with the same nonce and higher gas.
Common Errors & Solutions
Error
Cause
Solution
Insufficient Funds
Balance < (Amount + Gas Fees)
Deposit more funds or reduce amount.
Invalid Signature
Wrong signing algorithm (e.g., EdDSA instead of ECDSA)
Recheck wallet-network compatibility.
Transaction Stuck
Gas too low for network congestion
Speed up or cancel/replace the tx.
Troubleshooting Failed Transactions:
"Insufficient Funds": Ensure your balance covers amount + gas fees.
"Invalid Signature": Confirm the wallet’s signing algorithm (e.g., ECDSA, EdDSA) matches the network.
Note :
Validating transaction details is your last line of defense against irreversible errors. By rigorously checking gas fees, addresses, and swap settings—and leveraging tools like Preview Swap and Advanced Mode—you minimize risks and protect your assets. Always assume mistakes are costly. Stay vigilant, double-check, and never rush.
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