edgeX Review: Perpetual DEX, Layer-2 Engine & Points System

edgeX Review: Perpetual DEX, Layer-2 Engine & Points System

Summary: edgeX is a decentralized perpetual exchange built on its own Ethereum Layer-2 chain, processing over $130 billion in cumulative trading volume across 140,000 users.

It supports up to 100x leverage, multi-account margin trading, liquidity vaults, referral rewards, and a weekly points-based distribution system linked to trading activity and volume.

edgeX steps into a field dominated by Hyperliquid and Aster, but it plays a different game: one defined by speed, precision, and usability. Rather than chasing hype (no pun intended), it’s built around measurable performance and a trading experience that feels purpose-engineered.

With sub-10 millisecond matching, liquidity depth rivaling top centralized venues, and a streamlined multi-chain interface, edgeX delivers a product that speaks through execution, not slogans.

Read on to see how edgeX is rewriting expectations for decentralized perpetual exchanges. 👇

What is edgeX?

edgeX is a perpetual decentralized exchange (Perp DEX) built on its own Ethereum Layer-2 infrastructure, optimized for onchain settlement and minimal latency. It was incubated by Amber Group and developed by a team with experience at Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and Morgan Stanley.

The platform combines an orderbook-based architecture with zero-knowledge rollups for transparent, low-cost settlement on Ethereum. Independent oracle providers ensure price accuracy and fairness, while all assets remain under user self-custody through non-custodial wallets.

edgeX’s hybrid liquidity framework supports Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, BNB Chain, and other EVM-compatible networks. Using cross-chain messaging and canonical bridges, it enables smooth deposits and withdrawals across these chains while preserving full user control and Ethereum-level security.

What is EdgeX

How Does edgeX Work?

edgeX operates through a dual-architecture framework encompassing its live V1 perpetual DEX and the upcoming V2 financial settlement chain. This section explores how each version achieves high-performance execution, verifiable settlement, and modular scalability for decentralized trading.

edgeX V1: High-Performance Layer-2 Perpetual DEX

edgeX V1 runs on the StarkEx Layer-2 engine, combining zero-knowledge rollups and a central limit order book (CLOB) model for scalable, transparent, and onchain trading. Key components include:

  • StarkEx Validation: Aggregates trades off-chain and verifies them on Ethereum using STARK proofs, ensuring scalability without compromising security.
  • Orderbook Matching Engine: Processes up to 20,000 transactions per second across 10 shards, achieving industry-leading sub-10 ms trade execution.
  • Independent Oracles (Stork): Sources real-time mark prices from distributed data feeds, eliminating manipulation risks and ensuring accurate liquidation thresholds.
  • User Self-Custody: Assets remain in Ethereum smart contracts, with users authorizing every transaction through their private keys for full control.
  • Anti-Censorship Withdrawals: Built-in forced withdrawal mechanism allows users to reclaim assets directly from the smart contract if the operator fails to process requests.
High Level edgeX V1 Explanation

edgeX V2: Financial Settlement Chain for Modular DeFi

edgeX V2 extends the system into a dedicated Ethereum Layer-2 chain optimized for financial applications and multi-chain liquidity. Core architectural layers include:

  • Settlement Layer: Batches transactions into compact proofs for Ethereum verification, minimizing fees while maintaining public auditability and asset self-custody.
  • Match Engine Layer: Executes up to 200,000 orders per second with less than 10 ms latency, supporting advanced features like 100x leverage and trailing TP/SL orders.
  • Hybrid Liquidity Layer: Connects liquidity across Ethereum, Arbitrum, Optimism, and BNB Chain via cross-chain messaging and canonical bridges.
  • Unified DeFi Interface: Integrates mobile-first access with MPC-based social logins, enabling CEX-like usability and multi-chain deposit support.
  • Permissionless Modules: Allows developers to launch new markets and strategies under a Proof of Demand governance system, expanding onchain financial innovation.
edgeX Tech Stack For V1 + V2

edgeX's Products

edgeX offers a comprehensive ecosystem of trading, liquidity, and rewards. This section explores its key products (Perpetual DEX, Trading Accounts & Margin, eStrategy, Earn & Referral, and EpicSer NFT), each intended to serve a specific function within the platform’s DeFi architecture.

1. Perpetual DEX

The edgeX perpetual decentralized exchange is the platform’s core trading product, offering up to 100x leverage across leading assets like BTC, ETH, SOL, and BNB. It maintains over $3.9 billion in daily trading volume and delivers ultra-fast execution through its StarkEx-powered matching engine.

Users benefit from real-time funding rates, transparent open interest metrics, and deep liquidity across 70+ markets. With decentralized oracles ensuring price accuracy, traders experience minimal slippage and institutional-grade execution without sacrificing custody or transparency.

edgeX Perpetual DEX

2. Trading Accounts & Margin

edgeX supports multi-account trading under a single wallet, offering up to 20 independent accounts for cross or isolated margin management. USDT serves as the universal collateral, simplifying risk management and eliminating the volatility exposure of non-stablecoin assets.

Each account maintains isolated liquidation logic, meaning losses in one sub-account do not impact others. Margin ratios, profits, and losses are calculated linearly in USDT, providing traders with precise, predictable performance analytics.

edgeX Trading Accounts & Margin

3. eStrategy

eStrategy is edgeX’s onchain liquidity and asset management layer, combining Automated Market Maker (AMM) liquidity provision with strategic vault deployment. With over $143.7 million TVL and $8.1 million total P&L, it boosts market depth and rewards liquidity providers with passive yield.

In its next phase, eStrategy will enable customizable strategy vaults managed by individuals or institutions, with deposits capped during whitelist rounds. Withdrawals are processed after a maximum 7-day lock-up period to maintain portfolio balance and execution integrity.

edgeX eStrategy

4. Earn & Referral

The Earn & Referral program incentivizes user growth by rewarding traders with rebates and tiered commissions of up to 30%. Users can climb VIP levels by referring active traders and generating contract trading volume within their network.

Referral rewards are settled daily and can be claimed directly to trading accounts, with additional perks such as fee reductions and “Messenger” privileges for top-tier participants. The transparent reward structure aligns ecosystem expansion with user engagement and platform liquidity.

edgeX Earn & Referral

5. EpicSer NFT

The EpicSer NFT represents edgeX’s genesis collectible, designed for early adopters and contributors on the Solana mainnet. Limited to 299 total mints (for whitelisted users), it grants lifetime VIP2 trading rates, 35% perpetual fee rebates, and priority access to institutional strategy vaults.

Each NFT serves as both a community credential and functional asset, offering future governance token airdrops and exclusive product privileges. EpicSer holders form the core of edgeX’s community-driven growth model, linking user identity to tangible trading advantages.

edgeX EpicSer NFTs

How to Trade on edgeX

Trading on edgeX is designed for speed, transparency, and self-custody. Follow the steps below to register, connect, and begin earning trading rewards:

  1. Visit the Official Referral Link: Go to edgeX and unlock a 10% self rebate, permanent VIP1 status, and a 1.1x points multiplier.
  2. Connect an EVM-Compatible Wallet: Link your MetaMask or another EVM wallet to confirm ownership and connect securely to the edgeX platform.
  3. Sign Required Permissions: Approve two free signature requests to verify wallet ownership and enable API access for instant, high-speed trading execution.
  4. Deposit Trading Collateral: Add a minimum of $300 USDT to your account balance to activate trading and access margin functionality.
  5. Open Perpetual Positions: Trade BTCUSD, ETHUSD, SOLUSD, and more with up to 100x leverage, minimal slippage, and real-time funding rates.
  6. Generate Trading Volume: Reach $150,000 in perpetual contract volume to earn your first reward points and start compounding rebate benefits.
  7. Monitor Performance and Withdraw Anytime: Track your positions, claim earned rewards, and withdraw assets instantly from your wallet with full self-custody control.

Additional Notes: edgeX supports email-based login via MPC wallets, enabling instant onboarding with a simple verification code. Deposits confirm within five minutes, while large cross-chain transfers may take longer, and withdrawals are batch-verified on Ethereum Layer 1 for maximum security.

How to Trade on edgeX

edgeX Trading Fees and Funding

edgeX offers a transparent fee structure and a dynamic funding mechanism to align perpetual contract prices with spot market values. Below is an overview of the VIP trading fee tiers and the funding rate system:

  • Non-VIP (below $5,000,000): Maker fee 0.012% and taker fee 0.038%, standard rates for new or low-volume traders.
  • VIP 1 ($5,000,000+): Maker fee 0.010% and taker fee 0.036%, offering immediate reductions once volume requirements are met.
  • VIP 2 ($25,000,000+): Maker fee 0.008% and taker fee 0.034%, ideal for frequent traders seeking tighter spreads and lower friction costs.
  • VIP 3 ($100,000,000+): Maker fee 0.006% and taker fee 0.030%, rewarding high-volume participants with deeper cost savings.
  • VIP 4 ($300,000,000+): Maker fee 0.004% and taker fee 0.028%, enabling near-zero costs for professional-level trading activity.
  • VIP 5 ($1,000,000,000+): Maker fee 0.000% and taker fee 0.026%, effectively removing maker fees for institutional-scale traders.
  • VIP 6 ($2,000,000,000+): Maker fee 0.000% and taker fee 0.024%, the lowest fee tier available, offering optimal execution efficiency.

Furthermore, edgeX applies hourly funding fee between long and short traders to keep perpetual contract prices aligned with spot prices. While exact rates vary by market and volatility, they typically remain within industry-standard ranges observed on major DEXs like dYdX and Hyperliquid.

edgeX Fees

edgeX Tokenomics

edgeX has not yet launched a native token, but the edgeX Points Program currently serves as its primary reward and participation system. The program tracks verified user activity across trading, referrals, and vault usage, distributing points to incentivize consistent engagement and platform growth.

Each week, a total of 250,000 points is distributed from the active pool based on measurable performance metrics. Allocation is weighted by category: 60% for trading volume, 20% for referrals and events, 10% for vault deposits, and 10% for liquidation and open-interest activity.

More than 4.96 million points have been issued to date, supported by over $22 billion in cumulative trading volume. Points are recalculated every Wednesday at 00:00 UTC and distributed by 08:00 UTC, ensuring transparent and continuous user rewards ahead of a potential token launch.

edgeX Points

Is edgeX Safe?

Yes, edgeX is considered highly secure due to its audited infrastructure, zero hacking incidents, and proven operational resilience. Independent audits by RigSec, SlowMist, and PeckShield verified the security of its smart contracts and Layer-2 settlement framework.

Since its launch, edgeX has maintained zero fund losses and continuous uptime across all trading modules and settlement systems. The platform’s self-custodial design ensures users retain full control of their assets through verified onchain transactions.

During the $19.5 billion market liquidation event in October 2025, edgeX operated without downtime or performance degradation. This reliability under extreme market stress demonstrates the platform’s strong engineering standards and secure execution layer.

edgeX follows strict data protection policies, collecting only essential technical and account information needed for platform performance and security. This includes device type, IP address, transaction history, and wallet details, all handled under global privacy compliance frameworks to safeguard user data.

edgeX vs Hyperliquid vs Aster

edgeX, Hyperliquid, and Aster are three of the leading decentralized perpetual exchanges, collectively accounting for over 90% of total DEX trading volume. edgeX focuses on high-performance execution and Layer-2 scalability, Hyperliquid centers on community governance and decentralization, and Aster emphasizes multi-chain interoperability and ultra-high leverage options.

In the table below, we compare their architectures, features, and performance metrics:

Feature
Core Architecture
Ethereum Layer-2 with proprietary matching engine
Custom L1 chain purpose-built for onchain order books
Multi-chain DEX (BNB, ETH, ARB, SOL)
Max Leverage
Up to 100x on BTC, ETH, and majors
3x-40x depending on asset class
Up to 1001x (BTC), 250x (ETH)
Security Audits
RigSec, SlowMist, PeckShield
CertiK, Zellic
HALBORN, PeckShield
Custody Model
Non-custodial via Layer-2 settlement
Onchain custody via native L1 contracts
Hybrid custody with pooled liquidity
Native Token
Not launched yet (edgeX Points live)
$HYPE (live since 2024)
$ASTER (live since 2025)
Stablecoin
USDT collateral
USDH / USDC / USDT
USDF
Trading Fees
0.012% maker / 0.038% taker
0.015% maker / 0.045% taker
0.01% maker / 0.035% taker
Referral Program
Up to 10% rebate, permanent VIP1
10% of referred fees shared
10% split between referrer and referee
Unique Features
Cross-chain settlement, hybrid liquidity
Community-driven listings, decentralized governance
MEV-free mode, stock perps, 1001x leverage

Final Thoughts

edgeX was built to solve the liquidity inefficiencies that constrained most onchain derivatives platforms. It has since surpassed $130 billion in cumulative trading volume, generated $65 million in fee revenue, and achieved one of the deepest perp order books in DeFi.

Today, the protocol blends execution speed for high-leverage traders, vault-based liquidity for yield seekers, and incentive alignment through its Points, Messenger, and EpicSer programs for airdrop farmers.

In Q4 2025, edgeX will introduce unified accounts, yield-bearing collateral, and permissionless liquidity infrastructure, pushing closer to its goal of becoming the leading onchain perpetual exchange.

Frequently asked questions

Will edgeX introduce governance or DAO participation?

Can developers build on edgeX’s Layer-2 infrastructure?

How does edgeX ensure liquidity depth across volatile market conditions?

How does edgeX handle liquidations during volatile price swings?

Written by 

Jed Barker

Editor-in-Chief

Jed, a digital asset analyst since 2015, founded Datawallet to simplify crypto and decentralized finance. His background includes research roles in leading publications and a venture firm, reflecting his commitment to making complex financial concepts accessible.