AFX, a decentralized Layer 1 blockchain focused on derivatives, has launched its mainnet. The platform is built specifically for perpetual futures trading, setting it apart from general-purpose blockchain networks. It provides a dedicated execution environment for on-chain trading activities.
At launch, the platform supports perpetual markets for both crypto and traditional assets. Users can trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, gold, and crude oil with leverage up to 40x. The company says this design aims to improve capital efficiency and allow access to different market categories from one place.
Custom Infrastructure and Performance
AFX uses a custom infrastructure based on DAG-based consensus and a modular ABCI architecture. According to the company, the system can process over 100,000 transactions per second with median latency around 100 milliseconds. The network also introduces a zero-gas model, removing transaction fees from trade execution.
Pro-Trader Suite for High-Volume Traders
The launch includes the Pro-Trader Suite, a trading engine designed for high-volume and algorithmic market participants. The system offers a low maintenance margin requirement and supports the FIX protocol, a standard widely used by institutional trading firms for market connectivity. This move could attract more professional traders to the platform.
The development marks a step toward more specialized blockchain infrastructure for derivatives trading. Whether it can sustain performance under real market conditions remains to be seen, but the technical claims are noteworthy.
