Learned by 6 usersPublished on 2024.06.27 Last updated on 2024.12.03
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In an ever-evolving landscape of decentralised finance (DeFi), ZKX emerges as a pioneering social decentralised perpetual exchange built on Starknet and Ethereum. The project aims to merge the efficiency of centralised exchanges with the trust and self-custody features of decentralised finance, redefining the trading experience for users. By establishing a platform that integrates social trading elements, ZKX seeks to make complex financial instruments accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
ZKX, represented by its token $ZKX, is a permissionless protocol designed for derivatives trading. It embraces a decentralised order book model and introduces a distinctive approach to offering advanced financial instruments through swaps. The objective of the platform is to foster a social trading environment, particularly through gamified trading battles centred around perpetual futures. This innovative model enhances user engagement and encourages participation in the DeFi space.
By offering a unique blend of trading features, ZKX positions itself as an attractive option for both novice and experienced traders looking to interact with derivatives in a more socially connected manner. The platform's design emphasises accessibility and user-friendliness, ensuring that DeFi remains open to everyone, regardless of their financial background.
The founding team behind ZKX comprises three visionary individuals: Eduard, Naman, and Vitaly. Collectively, they bring a wealth of expertise in areas such as venture capital, emerging markets, and technological scale-up management. The inception of ZKX arose from their recognition of significant opportunities within emerging markets, paired with a desire to address existing gaps in the derivatives trading space. Their combined experiences and insights have been instrumental in shaping the project's vision and direction.
ZKX has attracted attention from several prominent investment firms and foundations, bolstering its development and expansion efforts. Notable backers include Flowdesk, HashKey Capital, Amber Group, StarkWare, Global Coin Research, and Dewhales Capital. Through a dedicated fundraising initiative, ZKX successfully raised $7.6 million in strategic financing, complementing an earlier seed round that garnered $4.5 million. This substantial financial backing showcases the project's credibility and potential within the crypto ecosystem.
ZKX employs a sophisticated and innovative structure to deliver a user-centric trading experience. The platform's unique features contribute to its scalability and responsiveness, making it an optimal choice for traders seeking reliability and efficiency. Key components of ZKX's functioning include:
ZKX Account: The platform provides users with a self-custodial, account abstraction-based wallet, empowering them with absolute control over their funds. This feature not only enhances security but also fosters user confidence.
ZKX AppChain: This dedicated chain offers rapid execution of trades, transparent order matching, and a gasless trading experience. By minimising costs and delays, ZKX aims to enhance the trading experience significantly.
Decentralised Limit Order Book (DLOB): ZKX enables direct interactions between users, ZKX nodes, and smart contracts, ensuring both security and efficiency in trade executions. This mechanism promotes a decentralised trading environment, challenging traditional models.
Data Provider Service (DPS): This innovative service acts as a conduit between the platform's pricing engine and external data sources, providing price updates with sub-second refresh rates. This enhances trading accuracy and responsiveness to market changes.
By leveraging these advancements, ZKX positions itself as a leader in the decentralised derivatives trading space, appealing to traders who seek an edge in their trading strategies.
The evolution of ZKX can be traced through several pivotal milestones:
July 2022: ZKX raised $4.5 million in seed round funding, marking the project's initial financial foundation.
March 2023: The platform went live on the testnet, inviting users to experience its offerings in a controlled environment.
June 2024: ZKX successfully raised an additional $7.6 million in strategic financing, while also launching its native token, $ZKX.
July 2024: Following a series of developments, ZKX announced that it would shut down, concluding an impactful yet brief chapter in the DeFi landscape.
ZKX distinguishes itself through several innovative features designed to enhance the trading experience:
Gamified Trading: ZKX’s platform is tailored for short-term traders, scalpers, and swing traders, incorporating elements such as Player Versus Player (PVP) battles and trading competitions for perpetual futures. This gamification encourages active participation and engagement among users.
Social Trading Experience: By focusing on social trading principles, ZKX aims to create a sense of community among users, emphasising collaborative governance and self-custody as fundamental aspects of its ecosystem.
Cross-Chain Interoperability: Looking to the future, ZKX has plans to extend its reach across various Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) blockchain ecosystems. Such interoperability positions ZKX as a versatile and adaptable platform capable of meeting the needs of diverse blockchain communities.
ZKX, represented by its token $ZKX, stands as a noteworthy project within the decentralised finance sector, merging elements of social trading with innovative derivatives offerings. Despite its recent announcement regarding a shutdown, the impact and contributions of ZKX to the DeFi space remain significant. Its dedication to user engagement, paired with cutting-edge technology and a unique trading model, serve as valuable learnings and case studies for future developments in the crypto industry.
As the landscape of decentralised finance continues to evolve, projects like ZKX catalyse discussions around efficiency, accessibility, and community-driven initiatives. The insights gleaned from ZKX's journey will undoubtedly influence future endeavours within the vibrant and rapidly changing world of blockchain-based finance.