Gate is a centralized crypto exchange founded in 2013 offering spot, futures, stocks and earn products for traders who want one multi-asset account.
TVL $5.84B−4.6%Ethereum · Bitcoin · BNB Chain +129
Ecosystem guide
The dYdX ecosystem
The best dApps on dYdX by sector: DeFi, games, NFTs and more. 6 projects tracked, 6 reviewed in full.
Full dYdX ranking →- dApps
- 6
- Reviewed
- 6
- TVL tracked
- $72.1M
- Native token
- DYDX
dYdX is a standalone Layer 1 blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK, designed to run one thing: a decentralized exchange for perpetual futures. It is not an EVM chain. A set of validators, around 60 active at launch, keep the network running and process the order book. Trading therefore happens on the chain's own infrastructure rather than as smart contracts on Ethereum, which is where earlier dYdX versions lived.
The native token is DYDX. It is staked to secure the network and used in governance votes. Traders pay fees on the exchange, and those fees flow to stakers and validators under the protocol's rules. Because the chain is built around a single application, there is no broad gas-token economy like on general-purpose networks. At the time of writing, DeFi TVL on the chain was about $71.0M.
The ecosystem is small and centered on derivatives. The main applications are dYdX and dYdX V4, both aimed at experienced traders who want non-custodial leverage. Stride offers liquid staking for Cosmos-based tokens, and KPK manages curated vaults and treasury mandates. Bitget and Gate also appear on this page, but they are centralized exchanges with a wider multi-chain footprint. Leveraged trading carries a high risk of loss, and readers must be 18+ (21+ where required) and check that derivatives trading is legal where they live.
dYdX ecosystem in numbers
- Tracked
- 6
- Reviewed
- 6
- Total TVL
- $12.0B
- Avg. score
- 7.1/10
Reviewed
Top-rated dApps on dYdX
Bitget is a centralized exchange for crypto spot and futures that also offers tokenized stocks, commodities and forex in one account, for active traders.
TVL $5.82B−1.3%Bitcoin · Solana · Ethereum +68
KPK is a noncustodial onchain asset manager that runs curated vaults, tokenised funds and treasury mandates for DAOs, institutions and capital allocators.
TVL $210M−0.4%Ethereum · dYdX · xDai +8
dYdX is a decentralized perpetual futures exchange on its own Cosmos-based chain, for experienced traders who want non-custodial leverage.
dYdX
dYdX V4 is a decentralized perpetual futures exchange on its own Cosmos SDK chain, aimed at experienced crypto derivatives traders.
TVL $72.1M+2.6%dYdX
Stride is a Cosmos-focused liquid staking protocol for users who want to stake ATOM, OSMO and other tokens while keeping a tradable receipt token.
TVL $3.70M−11.2%Cosmos · Celestia · Injective +7
By sector
Best dYdX dApps by sector
Guides
dYdX guides
DeFi
dYdX Governance Token (DYDX): What It Does and Its Status in 2026DYDX is the governance and utility token of the dYdX perpetuals exchange. This guide explains what it does, how it moved from Ethereum to the dYdX Chain, what the buyback debate covers, and how to check its current status before you hold or trade it.
DeFi
dYdX Review: How the Perpetual Futures Exchange Works in 2026dYdX is a non-custodial perpetual futures exchange built for experienced derivatives traders. This guide explains how it works, how its token and governance fit in, what the main risks are, and where to check current fees, markets and status before you use it.
Blockchain
Blockchain Examples and How They WorkLearn how blockchains record and verify transactions, how consensus keeps a shared ledger in sync, and how Bitcoin, Ethereum and other networks put the technology to work. See practical examples, key trade-offs and ways to assess whether a blockchain is a good fit.
Blockchain
Blockchain for Data: Uses, Limits and How It WorksBlockchains can create shared records that are difficult to alter, but they are not a general-purpose replacement for databases or file storage. Learn what belongs on-chain, how blockchains connect to outside data, and when the trade-offs make sense.
Blockchain
Casper Network and CSPR: A Practical Guide for 2026Casper Network is a proof-of-stake blockchain, and CSPR is its native token. This guide explains the network’s purpose, how CSPR is used, and what to check before staking or transacting.
Blockchain
Cosmos Network Guide: Chains, IBC and ATOM in 2026Cosmos is an ecosystem of independent blockchains, not one chain that processes every app and token. Learn how the Cosmos Hub, Cosmos SDK and IBC fit together, what ATOM does, and how to assess transfers, staking and risks in 2026.
dYdX FAQs
What is the dYdX chain?
dYdX Chain is an independent Layer 1 blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK to run a decentralized perpetual futures exchange. It moved away from earlier versions that relied on Ethereum. Validators run the network and the order book, and the chain is secured by staking the DYDX token.
Is dYdX an EVM chain?
No. dYdX runs on the Cosmos SDK with its own validator set, not on the Ethereum Virtual Machine. Ethereum-style smart contracts and wallets do not work on it directly. You typically use a Cosmos-compatible wallet or an interface that handles the connection for you.
What is the DYDX token used for?
DYDX is the native token. It is used for staking to help secure the network and for governance votes. Trading fees on the chain are generally paid in USDC, and part of the fees goes to stakers and validators, according to the protocol's design.
Which dApps are on dYdX?
Our site lists six dApps tied to dYdX. They include the dYdX and dYdX V4 perpetuals exchanges, the Stride liquid staking protocol, the KPK onchain asset manager, and the centralized exchanges Bitget and Gate. Most of the activity on the chain itself is derivatives trading.
What are perpetual futures on dYdX?
Perpetual futures are derivative contracts that track an asset's price without an expiry date. Traders can use leverage, which magnifies both gains and losses. You do not hold the underlying asset, and leveraged positions can be liquidated quickly. They suit experienced traders who understand the risks.
How much value is locked on dYdX?
The on-chain DeFi value on dYdX was about $71.0M at the time of writing, most of it in dYdX V4. Bitget and Gate show much larger figures, but those reflect their exchange reserves across many chains rather than dYdX activity. These numbers change daily.
What is the largest dApp on dYdX by TVL?
Which dApp on dYdX has the highest DappsAtlas score?
How many dApps are on dYdX?
DappsAtlas tracks 6 dApps on dYdX. Of these, 6 have a full review and 5 report value locked, $12.0B in total, counting value on every chain they support.
What are the most common types of dApps on dYdX?
Centralized Exchanges (2), Derivatives (2) and Risk Curators (1) are the largest categories on dYdX, by number of projects.
Which dApps on dYdX grew the most this week?
What is the average score for dApps on dYdX?
The 6 rated dApps on dYdX average 7.1 out of 10. Of these, 0 score 8 or higher and 0 score below 5.