Hydranet Launches Off-Chain DEX Testnet

Hydranet, a decentralized trading platform leveraging off-chain technology, achieved a major milestone with its first successful trades on the testnet. Conducted on October 6, 2024, these trades demonstrated high-speed execution, completing EVM token trades in under one second and Bitcoin-to-EVM trades in 1.4 seconds. The team has since integrated backend and frontend systems, which are now in internal testing.

Innovative Off-Chain Approach

Hydranet uses state channel protocols for its off-chain trading. Bitcoin trades rely on the Lightning Network, while EVM and other smart contract-based blockchains, such as Ethereum and Arbitrum, use Hydranet’s proprietary Lithium Network. This off-chain method allows for low-cost, high-speed trading while maintaining user control over private keys, unlike traditional centralized exchanges.

A Hybrid Model: AMM Meets Order Book

Hydranet combines features of Automated Market Maker (AMM) systems and traditional order book models. It employs liquidity pools typical of AMMs while allowing users to place precise limit orders akin to centralized exchanges. The hybrid system ensures continuous liquidity and advanced trading options without incurring high gas fees.

Testnet Launch Details

The initial testnet pairs include BTC/ETH, BTC/USDC, and ETH/USDC, using Bitcoin’s Signet and Ethereum’s Holesky testnets. A closed beta will grant limited access to waitlist users, ensuring a controlled rollout while developers monitor performance and address issues.

Broader Implications

By integrating the speed and cost-efficiency of centralized platforms with the security of decentralized protocols, Hydranet aims to redefine decentralized trading. With its hybrid model, it bridges the gap between AMM-based DEXs and traditional exchanges, providing a flexible and user-centric trading experience.

As Hydranet’s beta testing progresses, the platform promises to offer the crypto community a first-of-its-kind decentralized exchange. The upcoming public testing phase will likely determine its potential to revolutionize DeFi trading.