# What Is Rift and How It Works at Picnic

> Rift executes cross-chain swaps, including native bitcoin, seeking the best price across 20+ markets. See what it is and how it competes for swaps at Picnic.

Source: https://usepicnic.com/en/blog/what-is-rift-and-how-it-works-at-picnic · Published 2026-11-12

**Rift is one of the partners that compete for your cross-chain swaps at Picnic.** When you swap a token on one network for a token on another network, Picnic asks several providers for a quote, and Rift is one of them. If it offers the best result, Rift executes the swap.

It is a recent partnership. That is why this post also covers what already works and what is still being built.

## What is Rift?

[Rift](https://www.rift.trade) is an order execution API for blockchains. Its pitch, in Rift's own words, is to execute any on-chain route at the best price, in one click, with no additional Rift fees.

A few points Rift states on its website and in its [documentation](https://www.rift.trade/docs):

- **Best-price search across more than 20 markets.** For each order, Rift's engine builds the most favorable route across several markets and networks.
- **Non-custodial execution.** Rift uses secure hardware enclaves (TEEs, for trusted execution environments) to ensure orders are executed without the company taking custody of the funds.
- **Native bitcoin.** Rift trades BTC on the Bitcoin network itself, not just "wrapped" versions of bitcoin on other networks.
- **Backed by Paradigm.** Rift's website states that the company is backed by the investment firm Paradigm.

The point about native bitcoin deserves attention. Much of the "bitcoin" circulating on other networks is actually a token that represents bitcoin. We explain this difference in [wrapped bitcoin is not bitcoin](https://usepicnic.com/br/blog/wrapped-bitcoin-nao-e-bitcoin-a-diferenca-que-aparece-na-hora-de-sacar) (in Portuguese).

## Why is a cross-chain swap hard?

Swapping one token for another on the same network is relatively simple: both assets are in the same place. Across different networks, the swap becomes a small journey. The value has to leave one network, cross over to another and often go through one or more swaps along the way, each with its own price and timing.

This is the kind of route Rift specializes in. Instead of you choosing the bridge, the market and the order of the steps, Rift's engine decides the path and executes everything as a single order.

## How does Rift work at Picnic today?

At Picnic, Rift takes part in the quote competition for cross-chain swaps, on networks such as Ethereum, Polygon, Base and Arbitrum:

1. **It competes with other providers.** Picnic asks several partners for quotes and shows the best one. Rift only executes your swap when it wins.
2. **The amount shown is an estimate.** Rift recalculates the route when it receives the funds, so the number on the screen is the best estimate at that moment, not a guaranteed minimum.
3. **The swap happens in the background.** After you confirm, the app tracks the operation until the value arrives in your account.

For swaps within the same network, Picnic uses other partners, such as [CoW Swap](https://usepicnic.com/en/blog/what-is-cow-swap-and-how-it-works-at-picnic). And for deposits from other networks, [Relay](https://usepicnic.com/en/blog/what-is-relay-and-how-it-moves-crypto-across-networks-at-picnic) remains the main partner.

## What is still being built

Picnic is also integrating Rift into native bitcoin deposits. This route is not available in the app yet. When it is, it will look the same as always: a deposit address and the estimated amount on the screen, without you having to choose the provider.

In the meantime, if your goal is to buy bitcoin and keep it under your control, the guide [where to buy bitcoin with Pix and keep it in your own wallet](https://usepicnic.com/br/blog/onde-comprar-bitcoin-com-pix-e-guardar-na-sua-propria-carteira) (in Portuguese) shows the way.

## Why does this matter to you?

Every new partner in the quote competition is one more chance for your swap to get a better price. Rift brings a specialty few have: building routes across many markets and networks, including native bitcoin, without taking custody of the funds along the way.

## Thank you, Rift

The Rift integration is recent and has been built side by side with their team. Thank you to Rift for the partnership and for being open to working through the details together, which is where a cross-chain swap succeeds or fails.

_Picnic is a technology platform that lets users independently interact with USDC, a U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Circle, on public blockchains. USDC is not legal tender in Brazil._

_Displayed exchange rates vary with market conditions. The final applicable amount is the one shown on the transaction confirmation screen. Cryptoassets involve risks, including volatility and loss of peg._

_Picnic does not custody user assets and is neither a financial institution nor a virtual asset service provider. Sending and receiving U.S. dollar payments through a U.S. account is offered in partnership with Noah Savings Inc. Terms and conditions apply._

_Information verified in April 2026._