Apex

ApeX (apex.exchange) is a decentralized, non-custodial derivatives exchange for trading perpetual contracts. Launched in early 2022 on Arbitrum, the platform is designed for permissionless crypto derivatives trading, enabling users to trade perpetual swap markets for various token pairs on the Ethereum blockchain without intermediaries while retaining control of their private keys. The exchange was developed by Bybit, a major centralized crypto exchange.

The platform offers two main products: ApeX Pro and ApeX Omni. ApeX Pro is a decentralized platform for trading cross-margined perpetual contracts with features like an order book model, leverage up to 100x, and instant settlement. It operates on StarkWare's Layer 2 scalability engine, StarkEx, which facilitates high-performance trades. ApeX Omni is an aggregated multichain liquidity trading platform built on a modular, intent-centric architecture, designed to offer a seamless user experience across different chains with deep liquidity and low slippage. The exchange supports multi-chain deposits and withdrawals from networks like Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Arbitrum, ensuring fast transactions with minimal gas fees. It does not require KYC, allowing users to trade by connecting a Web3 wallet.

The business model centers on trading fees, charging a 0.02% maker fee and a 0.05% taker fee, with no gas fees for transactions. The protocol's ecosystem includes two native tokens: $APEX, a governance token used for staking, voting, and protocol incentivization, and $BANA, a rewards token distributed through a "Trade-to-Earn" program. Revenue is also shared with users through staking programs that distribute trading fees to participants. The platform aims to provide open and transparent financial tools to a global user base, though it is not available in the United States.

Keywords: decentralized exchange, crypto derivatives, perpetual contracts, ApeX Protocol, multi-chain trading, self-custody, low fees, high leverage, StarkEx, layer 2, Trade-to-Earn, APEX token, Bybit, non-custodial, permissionless trading, crypto futures, order book DEX, Arbitrum, perpetual swaps, social trading