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ShapeShift can exchange user's crypto currency almost instantly. They state that most transactions don't require any confirmations:

Small deposits are processed with zero confirmations. Larger deposits wait for at least 1 confirmation.

How can they do this and cover themselves from double-spending?

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They're not saying that larger deposits will take 1 confirmation. They're saying that they will take at least 1 confirmation.

How can they do this and cover themselves from double-spending?

Sure, doing this increases the risks of double-spending. However, that might be an acceptable risk. They may have done the math and figured that the additional business they get is worth it.

They might be doing it to distinguish themselves from the bajillion other exchanges out there.

Also, they're charging a fee of 3.7%.

Edit: Clarification

With ShapeShift, what you see is what you get. The exchange rate shown is exactly what you'll receive, minus only the "miner fee."
There is no exchange fee, or service fee.

This is true, but the spread is noticeably higher than on other sites.

I arrived at 3.7% by taking the BTC -> LTC exchange rate and comparing it to the LTC -> BTC exchange rate.

1.00 BTC = 137.1636 LTC
1.00 LTC = 0.00685688 BTC

If you multiply 137.1636 and 0.00685688, you get 0.9405. This means that if you exchanged 1 Bitcoin for Litecoins and back, you would have 0.9405 Bitcoins left. (Ignoring transaction fees.) This is a change of 5.95%. Divide that by two, because you'd only exchange once.

This gets you 3.0%, which is different from my original calculation because the prices on ShapeShift have changed since then.

So there is a fee, but it's baked into the price they show you. On the other hand, if you're exchanging less than 0.33 BTC, the fee is lower than what BTC-E would charge you.

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  • The important point is that there is no fixed fee. The difference between our price and a price at a different exchange is variable and based on the specifics of that transaction.
    – ShapeShift_io
    Jan 8, 2015 at 21:35
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The answer above is correct, however, the 3.7% fee is incorrect. You can read about our fees on the site on our about section. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page. Let us know if you have any questions!

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    Saying "there is no exchange fee, or service fee" is highly misleading, borderline fraudulent. If there is a non-zero spread, there is a fee.
    – Flavien
    Jan 29, 2015 at 14:54
  • The important point is that there is no fixed fee. The difference between our price and a price at a different exchange is variable and based on the specifics of that transaction.
    – ShapeShift_io
    Jan 30, 2015 at 15:34
  • Please feel free to email us with any questions you have about the details of our fee system. The instant rate that people see at the top of the screen is exactly what they will get minus miner fee. To make sure there is no slippage, we do go down the spread in order to offer that one fee and we get a very small percentage from this. But the fee you see when you purchase is what you see is what you get. Email [email protected] if you would like to discuss further or leave another comment here! We are happy to disclose!
    – ShapeShift_io
    Jan 30, 2015 at 15:39
  • 1. You should report the spread up front so people aren't tricked into thinking this is some sort of "for the good of all" cryptocharity. 2. If I don't need my exchange until 1 or 2 conf's - then I'd like a reduced spread. (Get a better rate for longer wait times.)
    – Erik Aronesty
    Feb 12, 2016 at 9:43

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