What is Stargate Finance?‍

Stargate Finance is a DeFi platform offering a cross-chain liquidity transport protocol. It simplifies asset transfers across blockchain networks through unified liquidity pools and instant guaranteed finality. Features like transaction batching, Hydra Bridging as a Service (BaaS), and the AI-driven Planning Module (AIPM) significantly reduce costs and improve capital efficiency.

Supporting protocols such as Radiant Capital and LayerZero, Stargate Finance is crucial for cross-chain operations. It handles daily transaction volumes exceeding $37.5 million, with a Total Value Locked (TVL) over $465 million. This showcases its robust infrastructure and essential role in the DeFi ecosystem.

How Does Stargate Work?

Stargate Finance operates with a sophisticated cross-chain liquidity bridge designed to facilitate efficient asset transfers between different blockchain networks. Here’s a look at its core components:

• Cross-Chain Liquidity Bridge: This system allows users to move assets across various blockchains effectively, enhancing connectivity within the DeFi ecosystem.
• LayerZero Protocol: Integral to Stargate, this protocol addresses common bridging challenges by offering immediate transaction finality, unified liquidity, and support for native assets.
• Broad Asset and Network Support: The platform handles multiple cryptocurrencies, including ETH, USDC, and USDT, and operates across over 25 layer 1 and layer 2 networks like Ethereum, Sei and Arbitrum.
• Robust Security: Stargate employs a two-phase security approach within its Stargate Relayer, combining comprehensive audits with a dual-layer protection system to safeguard against threats.
• Yield Generation: Users can earn rewards through transaction fees, liquidity provision, and rebalancing incentives, with fees allocated to the protocol’s treasury, liquidity providers, and token holders.
• Governance Through DAO: Holders of the STG token can participate in governance decisions via veSTG, a governance token within the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).

What is Stargate V2?

Stargate V2 significantly upgrades the platform's cross-chain bridging capabilities by expanding network support to 16 chains with over $465 million in Total Value Locked (TVL). It improves cost efficiency through transaction batching and optimized smart contracts, cutting bridging costs by over 90%.

The integration of Hydra enhances scalability and liquidity by locking assets in core pools and minting equivalent tokens on Hydra chains. Additionally, the AI-Driven Planning Module (AIPM) dynamically manages liquidity and adjusts fees to minimize slippage and ensure deep liquidity. Stargate V2 also guarantees instant transaction finality for reliable and secure cross-chain transfers.

What Chains Does Stargate Finance Support?

Stargate Finance provides extensive cross-chain compatibility, allowing transactions across numerous blockchain networks. The supported chains and their associated assets include:

• Ethereum: Supports USDC, USDT, USDD, FRAX, LUSD, DAI, and SGETH.
• Binance Smart Chain (BSC): Facilitates BUSD, USDT, and USDD transactions.
• Avalanche: Compatible with USDC, USDT, and FRAX.
• Polygon: Handles USDC, USDT, and DAI.
• Arbitrum: Supports USDC, USDT, ETH, and FRAX.
• Optimism: Provides support for USDC, ETH, DAI, FRAX, sUSD, and LUSD.
• Fantom: Facilitates transactions with USDC and lzUSDC.
• Base: Handles USDbC and SGETH.
• Linea: Supports SGETH.
• Mantle: Supports USDC, USDT, and mETH.
• Sei: Supports USDC, USDT and WETH.
• Other Layer 2's: Supports Taiko, zkSync, Mode, Scroll, Fraxtal and many other layer 2 chains on Ethereum.

Additionally, Stargate’s native token, STG, is supported across all these networks, enhancing its utility and integration in the DeFi space.

Stargate Finance Yields

Stargate Finance provides several avenues for earning yield. Users can generate income through transaction fees, liquidity provision, and rebalancing fees. A 0.06% fee (6bps) applies to non-STG transfers, which are distributed among the protocol treasury, veSTG holders, and liquidity providers. Liquidity providers can earn an annual percentage yield (APY) between 5-18% through STG emissions, depending on the liquidity they contribute, with V2 pools having higher APYs.

By locking STG tokens, users receive veSTG, which not only grants governance rights within the platform's decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) but also a portion of transaction fees. Additionally, Stargate Finance imposes rebalancing fees to ensure liquidity pools remain balanced, incentivizing participants who assist in maintaining these balances. The collected rebalancing fees support the protocol’s treasury, especially when pools experience significant imbalances.

Stargate Finance STG Tokenomics

Stargate Finance’s STG token has a total supply of 1 billion, distributed as follows:

• Core Contributors: 17.50% of the total supply is allocated to core contributors, with a one-year lock-up period followed by a two-year linear release.
• Investors: Another 17.50% is designated for investors, also with a one-year lock-up and a two-year linear release.
• Community Allocation: 65.00% is reserved for community-related initiatives. This includes the protocol launch, STG launch auction participants, an STG-USDC pool on Curve.fi, post-launch bonding curve, initial emissions, liquidity on various decentralized exchanges, and future community-driven projects.

The token allocation supports both immediate utilization and long-term growth of the Stargate Finance ecosystem. The lock-up periods ensure stability while allowing gradual access to tokens for contributors and investors.

Is Stargate Finance Safe?

Stargate Finance prioritizes security with a multi-layered approach. The protocol has undergone thorough audits by reputable firms, including Quantstamp, Zelliz, and Zokyo, to ensure its defenses against vulnerabilities. Additionally, Stargate Finance has introduced a comprehensive bug bounty program, offering rewards of up to $15 million for identifying and resolving potential security issues.

The platform employs a dual-layer protection system within its Stargate Relayer. The first layer, known as "The Dome," shields the system from external contract attacks, while the second layer, "Pre-Crime," monitors and addresses internal threats before they can impact the system. This approach aims to maintain the integrity and security of Stargate Finance’s operations effectively.

Bottom Line

Stargate Finance advances decentralized finance by providing a robust cross-chain liquidity bridge that enhances connectivity and efficiency across blockchain networks. Its sophisticated STG tokenomics, broad network support, and strong security measures reflect its critical role in the DeFi landscape. With significant Total Value Locked and ongoing innovations like Stargate V2, the platform is well-positioned to continue driving progress in the DeFi sector.