# Actions: key swaps

Replace a coldkey or hotkey from the browser with Taostats Actions: announce, execute, cancel or dispute a coldkey swap, or swap a hotkey.

_Source: https://taostats.io/docs/understanding-taostats/taostats-actions/key-swaps_

_Last reviewed: 2026-10-28_

Key swaps move everything a key controls to a new key. They are the way out when a key is exposed or you are rotating keys, and they are among the most consequential transactions you can sign. [Open Key Swaps](https://taostats.io/pro/actions/key-swaps).

> [!NOTE]
> **Paid plan**
>
> Anyone can open an action, fill it in and review the transaction. Signing and submitting requires a paid Taostats plan. Compare plans on [Billing](https://taostats.io/pro/billing), or see [Plans](https://taostats.io/docs/understanding-taostats/taostats-pro/your-taostats-account#plans).

## Coldkey swaps

A coldkey swap happens in two steps with a waiting period between them, so the owner has time to spot and stop a swap they did not start. For the full rules (fee, delay, what the coldkey can do while a swap is pending), see [Coldkey swap](https://taostats.io/docs/concepts/wallets-accounts/coldkeys#coldkey-swap).

### [Swap Coldkey Announcement](https://taostats.io/pro/actions/key-swaps/announce-coldkey-swap)

Starts a coldkey swap by announcing the new coldkey. The chain checks the new coldkey and reserves it until the swap, so no one else can register it as a hotkey in the meantime.

[Taostats Actions: Announce a Coldkey Swap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdEwo2hbGvA)

### [Execute Coldkey Swap](https://taostats.io/pro/actions/key-swaps/execute-coldkey-swap)

Completes the swap once the announcement delay has passed. Enter the same address you announced: the chain compares its hash with the announcement. Everything the old coldkey controls moves to the new one, and this cannot be undone.

[Taostats Actions: Execute a Coldkey Swap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm1nJ_qNYE0)

### [Cancel Coldkey Swap](https://taostats.io/pro/actions/key-swaps/cancel-coldkey-swap)

Cancels a pending swap you announced. The chain clears an announcement only after the re-announcement delay, and only if the swap has not been disputed.

[Taostats Actions: Cancel a Coldkey Swap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOR8rFZUWtw)

### [Challenge Coldkey Swap](https://taostats.io/pro/actions/key-swaps/dispute-coldkey-swap)

Disputes a swap you did not start. It blocks every further action on the swap until the triumvirate resolves it, so use it only when the announcement is not yours.

[Taostats Actions: Challenge a Coldkey Swap](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHn_em7NQVw)

### [Release Swap Destination Reservation](https://taostats.io/pro/actions/key-swaps/release-coldkey-swap-reservation)

Frees a wallet that a coldkey swap reserved as its destination. Sign with the reserved wallet (the swap's new coldkey), not the coldkey that announced the swap.

[Taostats Actions: Release a Swap Destination Reservation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOOoH69LTlM)

## Hotkey swaps

### [Swap Hotkey](https://taostats.io/pro/actions/key-swaps/swap-hotkey)

Replaces a hotkey with a new one while keeping its stake and network identity. The swap is immediate and cannot be undone, and the chain may charge a swap cost on top of the transaction fee. See [Hotkeys](https://taostats.io/docs/concepts/wallets-accounts/hotkeys).

[Taostats Actions: Swap a Hotkey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89IFNP4h6zU)

> [!TIP]
> **Sign as a proxy**
>
> Every action on this page has a **Complete as proxy wallet** switch. Turn it on to sign with your connected wallet on behalf of a wallet that made yours its proxy. See [Proxies](https://taostats.io/docs/understanding-taostats/taostats-actions/proxies#sign-as-a-proxy-wallet).