Lending · Review
ActiveDuckpools Review 2026: Small Ergo Lending Protocol
Duckpools is a small lending and borrowing protocol on the Ergo blockchain with algorithmic interest rates and overcollateralized loans. It has niche appeal and low liquidity, and it lists no audits.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
5.5/10
Mixed
Our verdict on duckpools
5.5/10Duckpools suits Ergo users who want to lend or borrow on-chain without leaving the ecosystem, and who accept the risks of a small, unaudited protocol. Its strength is a focused pool-based lending design with algorithmic rates and a native token. The main caveat is size and trust: TVL is only about 40,700 USD, no audits are listed, and fees are not published. Keep positions small and avoid heavy leverage.
Score breakdown
How duckpools scores
- Security
- 4.0/10
- Ease of use
- 6.5/10
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- 6.0/10
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is duckpools?
Duckpools is a decentralized lending platform built on Ergo. Its homepage has three main areas: Lend, Borrow and Pools. A View DAO link and a Connect button for wallets are also shown.
The protocol describes lending pools, algorithmic interest rates, overcollateralized loans and leveraged borrowing. A community post describes it as the sole pool-based lending protocol on Ergo. It has its own token, QUACKS, and a search result says lifetime revenue is intended to be controlled by QUACKS holders.
Its scale is small. Total value locked is about 40,700 USD, down about 5.7% over seven days, and it has been tracked since August 2023. The team has also worked on optionPools, an options project presented at an Ergo hackathon.
How duckpools works
Duckpools uses a pool model. Lenders deposit assets into a shared pool and receive a token that represents their share. Borrowers draw from the pool and pay interest, which accrues to lenders.
Loans are overcollateralized. A borrower locks collateral worth more than the loan. If the collateral value falls too far relative to the debt, the position can be liquidated to protect the pool. Interest rates are described as algorithmic, which usually means they rise as more of the pool is borrowed and fall as it frees up.
The protocol also mentions leveraged borrowing. This lets users take larger positions with borrowed funds, but it makes liquidation more likely when prices move against them.
6 features
Key features
01
Lending pools
Users deposit assets into shared pools and earn interest from borrowers. A pool token represents the depositor's share.
02
Algorithmic interest rates
Interest rates are described as algorithmic, so borrowing costs and lender yields adjust with pool conditions rather than being fixed by hand.
03
Overcollateralized loans
Borrowers lock collateral worth more than the loan, which is the usual safeguard in on-chain lending.
04
Leveraged borrowing
The protocol lists leveraged borrowing, which lets users take larger positions. It also raises liquidation risk.
05
DAO link
The homepage includes a View DAO link, suggesting community governance. The details of that governance are not on the homepage.
06
OptionPools development
Public reporting points to an optionPools project developed by the duckPools team during an Ergo hackathon, showing work beyond basic lending.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Focused lending and borrowing app on Ergo, with a simple Lend, Borrow and Pools layout.
- Pool-based model with algorithmic rates avoids manual rate setting.
- Overcollateralized design is the standard safeguard for on-chain loans.
- Has its own governance-linked token, QUACKS, and a DAO link.
- Active community channels on Discord, Telegram, Twitter and Reddit, and the team has built projects such as optionPools.
Watch out for
- TVL is very small at roughly 40,700 USD, so liquidity for large loans or withdrawals may be thin.
- No audits are listed, and a community thread asks whether the protocol has been audited.
- Runs only on Ergo, which has a smaller user base and fewer integrations than larger chains.
- Leveraged borrowing and overcollateralized loans carry liquidation risk in volatile markets.
- The homepage footer shows a 2022-2024 copyright, so the pace of recent development is unclear.
- Fees and interest rate ranges are not published on the homepage.
duckpools fees
Duckpools does not publish a fee schedule on its homepage. Borrowers pay interest set algorithmically by pool conditions, and the rates appear in the app's Lend, Borrow and Pools views.
Users also pay normal Ergo network transaction fees. Any protocol fee taken from interest is not stated.
Is duckpools safe?
No audits are listed for Duckpools, and a community thread asks whether the protocol has been audited. Without a published audit, smart-contract risk should be treated as higher than for audited lending protocols.
Users keep funds in their own wallet and interact through smart contracts, but deposits sit in pools that depend on contract code and price data. The team is not named. Small liquidity can make liquidations and exits less predictable, and leveraged positions can be wiped out. Only use funds you can afford to lose.
6 steps
How to get started with duckpools
- 1
Set up an Ergo-compatible wallet and fund it with ERG for transaction fees.
- 2
Open the Duckpools site and use the Connect button to link the wallet.
- 3
Review the Pools page to see available markets and current rates.
- 4
To earn interest, use the Lend section and deposit into a pool.
- 5
To borrow, open the Borrow section, supply collateral and choose a loan amount well below the liquidation threshold.
- 6
Start with a small amount and check your position regularly.
Who duckpools is for
Duckpools is for Ergo holders who want to earn interest on idle assets or borrow against collateral without selling. It fits users comfortable with small DeFi protocols and with liquidation risk. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs deep liquidity or audited code.
duckpools FAQs
What is Duckpools?
Duckpools is a decentralized lending platform built on Ergo. Users can supply assets to lending pools to earn interest, or borrow against collateral. It also describes algorithmic interest rates and leveraged borrowing.
Which blockchain does Duckpools use?
It runs on Ergo. The site's connect button points to Ergo-compatible wallets, and the protocol has no listed deployments on other chains.
What is the QUACKS token?
The protocol has a token called QUACKS. One search result says revenue from the lending protocol will be controlled by QUACKS holders, but the project's tokenomics details are not on the homepage.
Is Duckpools audited?
No audits are listed for Duckpools, and a community thread asks whether it has been audited. Treat it as unaudited unless the team publishes a report. Any DeFi lending protocol carries smart-contract risk.
What are the main risks of borrowing on Duckpools?
Loans are overcollateralized, so you deposit more value than you borrow. If the collateral value falls too far, it can be liquidated. Leveraged borrowing increases that risk.
How does Duckpools set interest rates?
Interest rates are set algorithmically, so they move with pool conditions. Specific rate figures are not published on the homepage, so check the Lend and Pools pages in the app.
Compare
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How we checked
Sources
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