> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.conduit.financial/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Conversions

> Convert fiat-to-fiat (cross-currency) and crypto-to-crypto (asset/network) with Conduit.

## **Conversions (Fiat and Crypto)**

Conversions let you either exchange fiat between currencies (e.g., USD → EUR) or exchange crypto between assets/networks (e.g., USDC on Ethereum → USDT on Tron).

**Type:** `conversion`

### **When to use conversions**

* Cross-currency fiat payments to international recipients (e.g., USD → MXN)
* Treasury FX rebalancing across operating currencies
* Switching crypto assets (USDC ↔ USDT) or bridging across networks (Ethereum ↔ Tron)
* Optimizing fees or aligning with recipient preferences

### **Key fields (fiat conversions)**

1. Source — Either:
   * Account ID (`acct_...`) for USD balance conversions (fiat-to-fiat only, funds already in system, no external pay-in). **Note:** If both source and destination are account IDs, the system automatically routes to `BALANCE_CONVERSION` transaction type (crypto-to-crypto).
   * Bank account ID (`bank_...`) for external bank account conversions (fiat-to-fiat, requires external pay-in)
2. Source currency
3. Amount to convert
4. Destination — Must be a bank account ID (`bank_...`) for CONVERSION transactions. **Note:** If both source and destination are account IDs, the system automatically routes to `BALANCE_CONVERSION` transaction type (crypto-to-crypto).
5. Quote — locks exchange rate and fees until expiration
6. Documents/purpose — when required for compliance (typically for external bank account conversions)

### **Key fields (crypto conversions)**

1. Source account ID `acct_...`, source asset and network
2. Amount to convert
3. Destination account ID `acct_...`, target asset and network
4. Quote — locks conversion/bridge rate until expiration

### **How conversions work**

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
  A[Initialize] --> B[Create Quote]
  B --> C[Create Conversion Transaction]
  C --> D[Process Conversion]
  D --> E[Completed]
```

* **Create quote**: get a locked rate for your source/target
* **Create conversion**: submit with IDs and quote
* **Process**: Conduit executes FX or crypto swap/bridge
* **Completed**: target funds are delivered to destination

### **Understanding true sender and true recipient**

#### **Why this matters**

Compliance requires visibility into the actual parties involved in each transaction, not just intermediaries. Misidentification can result in:

* Payment delays or rejections
* Compliance review failures
* Risk of limited access or account offboarding

#### **True sender definition**

The true sender is the business that provides the funds for a transaction.

If you’re acting on behalf of a customer:

* The customer is the true sender — not your business, even if funds move through your accounts
* Example: Acme Corp pays a vendor via your platform → Acme Corp is the true sender

If the funds come from your own business account:

* Your company is the true sender
* Example: You pay a vendor directly → Your company is the true sender

#### **True recipient definition**

The true recipient is the person or business that ultimately receives and benefits from the funds.

If you’re paying on behalf of a customer:

* The final beneficiary is the true recipient — not your business
* Example: Acme Corp pays a contractor via your platform → The contractor is the true recipient

If the payment is for your own operations:

* The vendor or account receiving funds is the true recipient
* Example: You pay your supplier → The supplier is the true recipient

<Note>
  These may not always appear as explicit API fields but remain critical for compliance.
</Note>

### **Best practices**

* Always act before quote expiration; regenerate if expired
* Ensure bank accounts and wallet accounts are verified and supported
* For crypto, confirm asset/network support and consider fee differences
* Keep supporting documents ready for compliance

## **What's next?**

* Create a conversion: [Creating a Conversion Transaction](/guides/transaction/first-conversion)
* Learn conversions: [Conversions](/core-concepts/transactions/conversions)

For full request details, see the [API Reference](/api-reference/transactions/create-a-transaction).

## Support

Reach out to our [support team](https://support.conduitpay.com/) to get help and share your feedback.