What Is Pendle?

1. What Is Pendle?

Pendle is a DeFi protocol that enables the trading of tokenized future yield. By separating yield from the principal of yield-bearing assets, Pendle allows users to lock in fixed yield or speculate on variable yield—something that traditional DeFi platforms do not offer. Built on Ethereum and other EVM-compatible chains, Pendle brings greater flexibility and efficiency to yield management by leveraging tokenization and automated markets.

2. Why Pendle Was Created

In traditional DeFi systems, users who deposit into yield-generating protocols cannot isolate or manage the yield component independently from the principal. This creates inefficiencies and limits advanced strategies such as yield speculation, hedging, or fixed-income products. Pendle was created to solve this by introducing a new primitive: the ability to split yield-bearing tokens into two separate components—principal and yield—giving users enhanced control over their DeFi strategies. It aims to unlock a deeper yield derivatives market within Web3.

3. How Pendle Works

1. Users deposit yield-bearing tokens such as stETH, aUSDC, or GLP into Pendle.
2. These deposits are tokenized into two parts: PT (Principal Token) and YT (Yield Token).
3. PT and YT can be traded independently on Pendle’s custom AMM.
4. Buyers of PT can lock in fixed yields, while YT holders speculate on future yield rates.
5. At maturity, PT holders redeem their full face value and YT expires.
6. vePENDLE holders gain voting rights, boosted rewards, and revenue share from protocol activity.

4. Key Features of Pendle

• Yield tokenization enabling separate trading of principal and future yield
• Fixed and variable yield markets within a single protocol
• Custom AMM optimized for time-decaying assets like PT and YT
• Integrations with top DeFi protocols such as Lido, Aave, and GMX
• veToken governance model for long-term incentives and rewards
• Multi-chain deployment across Ethereum, Arbitrum, and others

5. Who Can Use Pendle?

• Retail investors seeking stable or speculative DeFi yield strategies
• Institutional investors interested in fixed-income DeFi products
• Yield farmers looking to enhance or lock in their returns
• Developers building on composable yield primitives
• DAOs and treasuries optimizing capital efficiency

6. What Is the $PENDLE Token?

$PENDLE is the native token of the Pendle ecosystem, serving as both a governance and utility token. Users can lock $PENDLE to receive vePENDLE, which grants voting rights and access to boosted yield opportunities. vePENDLE holders can direct emission incentives to specific liquidity pools, participate in protocol decisions, and earn a share of protocol fees. Additionally, $PENDLE is used to incentivize liquidity providers and secure long-term ecosystem growth.