How intention-based transactions protect against Bitcoin price fluctuations in the DeFi world

Imagine you want to swap Bitcoin for a stablecoin, but while calculating your trading path, the Bitcoin price suddenly drops. Now, your gas fees cost more than you expected. Or even worse – the transaction fails because the Bitcoin price was outside your acceptable range. This is a common problem faced by users of decentralized finance. Transactions based on intentions need to flip this logic: instead of worrying about Bitcoin price, gas fluctuations, or specific routes, you simply specify what you want, and the system delivers it.

Traditional DeFi models like execution mempools require you to navigate all the details yourself. But a new generation of protocols uses a different approach—one based on intentions. Instead of saying: “Take my Bitcoin, find the best route, check the price, pay fees,” you just say: “I need $5000 USDC for my Bitcoin,” and that’s it.

What are intentions and how do they work?

In simple terms, an intention is your goal expressed as an outcome, not as a series of steps. In traditional DeFi, you need to understand how each part of the system works: choose a token, calculate optimal rates, predict gas fees. A mistake in predicting Bitcoin price can disrupt the entire transaction.

With intentions, the system shifts from you to specialized agents called solvers. They are experts at finding optimal execution paths, regardless of price changes or network fee increases. Instead of worrying about Bitcoin price at the moment of sending your transaction, the solvers do that for you.

Classic approach: You handle all the details

Here’s how a traditional transaction looks:

1. You open a DEX and see Bitcoin at $42,000
2. You calculate how much USDC you’ll get after all fees
3. You sign the transaction
4. Between signing and execution, Bitcoin drops to $41,500
5. Gas fees increase
6. The transaction either doesn’t go through or results in a worse outcome than expected

You needed to know all the technical details, predict market moves, and hope for the best.

New approach: Just set your goal

With intentions, the process is different:

1. Set an intention: “I need at least 40,000 USDC for my Bitcoin”
2. Sign a message
3. Solvers compete to give you the best possible result
4. Even if Bitcoin price fluctuates, solvers ensure you get at least 40,000 USDC
5. The transaction executes—no surprises about price or fees

It’s an electronic choice—you specify what you need, and the system ensures it.

How do solvers compete for better Bitcoin rates?

At the core of this new model are solvers—trading firms and algorithms that find liquidity and execute your intentions. Each solver wants to be the first to fulfill your intention at the best possible prices.

Here’s what happens behind the scenes:

1. Gathering offers: Solvers collect liquidity from DEXs, centralized exchanges, and their own reserves
2. Combining orders: If multiple people want to swap Bitcoin for USDC, solvers can bundle orders to get a better rate thanks to larger transaction size
3. Bidding: Several solvers offer to execute—winner is the one providing the best result
4. Paying fees: The solver pays gas fees and recovers costs through the price difference they save you

Result? Better Bitcoin rate for you because solvers compete—not just a single set price.

Benefits: Why is this better than the traditional approach?

Protection from Bitcoin price fluctuations

Traditional DeFi leaves you at the mercy of market moves. If Bitcoin price changes even a few seconds between clicking “confirm” and actual execution, you lose. With intentions, you only need a specific rate—solvers ensure you get it or they don’t execute at all.

Simpler user experience

No more needing to be a gas mathematician, a rate predictor, or a route navigator. Just tell what you need, and that’s it. You can even pay with your favorite token—solvers pay gas fees in ETH or other tokens if cheaper.

Protection from MEV attacks

The biggest hidden risk in classic DeFi is MEV—maximal extractable value. Bots can see your transaction in the mempool, front-run you (priority ordering), or sandwich you (front and back running). With intentions, solvers have an incentive to protect you—they profit from fulfilling your goal without causing you losses.

Better prices through competition

Since solvers compete, you get the best possible Bitcoin rate or any other crypto exchange rate. It’s like having a competitive marketplace of solvers eager for your business.

Protocols adopting intentions

Several major DeFi protocols have already embraced this model:

• CoW Protocol: Uses batch auctions to match traders and protect against MEV. If multiple people want to swap the same tokens, CoW can bundle and give everyone a better rate.
• UniswapX: Uniswap’s new solution pooling liquidity from various sources and offering swaps without gas fees via auctions.
• 1inch Fusion: Lets you set orders that solvers execute. You pay only the difference the solver secures, often better than direct DEX trading.
• Across Protocol: Uses intentions for fast cross-chain transfers. Want to move Bitcoin from Ethereum to Arbitrum? Set an intention, and Across handles it without you needing technical details.

Risks you should be aware of

Like all finance, this approach isn’t without risks:

Centralization risk

Currently, becoming a solver requires capital, technology, and expertise. This means a few large trading firms may dominate. If only Wintermute, Thales, or a few bots control most executions, the system becomes less decentralized than DeFi promises.

Reduced transparency

Since part of the execution happens off-chain (solvers often operate in private mempools), it’s harder to see what’s happening exactly. Traditional DEXs are fully on-chain—visible to everyone.

Trust in solvers

You need to trust that solvers act fairly. While they have a financial incentive not to harm you (they need your business), oversight is more complex than in a traditional on-chain model where everything is public.

Conclusion: The future is intentions

Intent-based transactions aim to make DeFi simpler. Instead of worrying about Bitcoin price, gas fluctuations, and execution routes, you just specify what you want. Solvers work hard to give you the best possible outcome.

Technology is shifting—from requiring technical expertise to a system that adapts to you. As companies focus more on intentions, we can expect DeFi to become more accessible and cheaper for everyone—not just those who understand every technical detail.

Whether you’re tracking Bitcoin prices, Ethereum changes, or just swapping tokens, intentions should make it easier—and probably cheaper—than ever before.