What you will accomplish
- Compare quotes, custody, settlement, and support
- Compare self-custody and institutional custody choices
- Compare automation and access to quotes
- Choose the model that fits the trade
Before you begin
- A defined order size and frequency
- Custody and counterparty requirements
- Counterparty, custody, settlement, and support requirements
Compare how quotes are requested
An OTC desk often involves bilateral chat, RFQ, or API interaction with a named counterparty. Quote.Trade offers automated all-in execution through app and programmatic interfaces. Determine whether each quote is firm, its expiry, and who bears last-look or hedge risk.
Compare custody and settlement
Quote.Trade permissionless access uses smart-contract funding and public position state; Quote.Trade Pro is described as a permissioned qualified-custodian path. OTC desks may require pre-funding, credit, bilateral settlement, or third-party custody. Do not call all of these models “non-custodial.”
Compare counterparty and legal relationship
Identify whether the trade is with a venue, principal, liquidity provider, or desk and what terms govern disputes, errors, and settlement. A technical interface does not eliminate counterparty or contractual analysis.
Compare automation and scale
Quote.Trade’s Binance-compatible API, WebSocket, bots, and MCP can support repeated or embedded execution. A human desk may provide negotiation and bespoke service but be slower to automate. Assess integration time, limits, and service coverage.
Compare the full outcome
Compare the all-in price, available size, fill or rejection, latency, settlement cost, collateral use, reporting, and support. Privacy alone does not tell you which option is better.
Common problems and fixes
Who is the counterparty in an “OTC” app?
Ask who the legal counterparty is, when the quote becomes binding, and how settlement and disputes work.
What if the price is better but the custody model does not work for me?
Use a custody model that meets your requirements, including a permissioned route where available, or decline the trade.
How do I compare an OTC quote with Quote.Trade?
Use the same side, time, size, fees, settlement terms, and quote firmness.