EdgeX

EdgeX has quietly built one of the most technically impressive perpetual DEXes in crypto, and in 2026 it is making its biggest push yet with the V2 upgrade and native EDGE token launch. Backed by Amber Group's institutional-grade infrastructure and powered by StarkEx zero-knowledge rollup technology, EdgeX offers a trading experience that prioritizes raw speed and liquidity depth above all else. We spent weeks testing the platform across desktop and mobile, and found a product that punches well above its weight - though it still has ground to cover before matching the name recognition of larger competitors.

What is EdgeX?

EdgeX is a decentralized perpetual futures exchange built on StarkEx, the ZK-rollup scaling engine developed by StarkWare. The platform launched its mainnet in 2024 and was incubated by Amber Group, one of the largest digital asset trading firms in the industry. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Hong Kong, Amber Group manages over $3 billion in assets and serves more than 2,000 institutional clients. That institutional pedigree shows in every aspect of how EdgeX operates.

The founding team includes former engineers from Binance, Bybit, and Morgan Stanley, which explains the platform's focus on professional-grade execution quality. The order book engine can process over 200,000 orders per second with matching latency under 10 milliseconds. For context, that is faster than most centralized exchanges and significantly faster than any AMM-based DEX.

EdgeX uses a ZK-rollup architecture where all trades are matched off-chain for speed, then batched into zero-knowledge proofs that are verified on Ethereum L1. This design gives traders the performance of a centralized exchange while maintaining Ethereum-level security for fund settlement and withdrawals. Your assets are always secured by Ethereum, even though the trading happens at much higher speeds on the rollup layer.

The platform gained significant traction throughout 2025, reaching a milestone in October with all-time highs of $137.9 billion in monthly volume and $52.4 million in monthly fees. Total value locked reached $432 million with approximately 149,000 users. In January 2026, EdgeX briefly overtook Tron and Hyperliquid in 24-hour fee revenue, generating over $1.3 million in a single day.

The biggest news for 2026 is the V2 transition, which transforms EdgeX from a perpetual DEX into a market-focused Layer 2 network. V2 introduces modular multi-VM execution, deterministic parallel transaction processing, spot markets, Polymarket integration, and plans for tokenized stocks. The native EDGE token launches alongside V2, with 25% of the total 1 billion supply distributed to points holders and NFT holders. The Token Generation Event (TGE) was initially scheduled for earlier in Q1 2026 but has been pushed to March 31, 2026.

Features and Functionality

Trading Interface

The EdgeX trading interface takes a mobile-first approach, which is unusual in the perp DEX space where most platforms design for desktop first. The web application features a clean, modern layout with the order entry panel, real-time chart, order book visualization, and position management all accessible without excessive scrolling or panel switching.

The platform supports standard order types including market, limit, stop-loss, and take-profit orders. We found the order execution to be very fast - limit orders placed near the mid-price were matched within milliseconds, and market orders filled with minimal slippage on major pairs. The charting interface provides all the standard technical indicators and drawing tools you would expect, though it does not quite match the depth of TradingView-integrated platforms.

One feature we appreciated is the MPC (multi-party computation) social login system. Instead of requiring users to manage MetaMask or other external wallets, EdgeX allows sign-up through email or social accounts. This dramatically lowers the onboarding barrier compared to most DEXes, which require users to already understand wallet management. For crypto-native users, traditional wallet connections are still fully supported.

The interface does feel somewhat minimalist compared to platforms like Hyperliquid or dYdX. Some advanced traders might miss features like TWAP orders or detailed portfolio analytics on the current V1 interface. However, the V2 upgrade promises to expand the feature set considerably.

Supported Markets

EdgeX currently supports over 110 perpetual futures markets, covering major cryptocurrencies, mid-cap altcoins, and an expanding selection of smaller tokens. The platform has been adding new markets regularly, and the V2 upgrade will introduce permissionless market listings that should accelerate this growth significantly.

Maximum available leverage reaches up to 100x on major pairs like BTC and ETH, which is higher than what Hyperliquid offers (50x) and on par with centralized exchanges. Smaller, more volatile assets have lower leverage caps, which is a sensible risk management approach.

With V2, EdgeX plans to expand beyond perpetual futures into spot markets, prediction markets through Polymarket integration, and eventually tokenized stocks. This broader product offering could make EdgeX a more complete trading platform rather than a single-product perp DEX.

Liquidity and Order Book Depth

Liquidity is EdgeX\'s biggest strength, and it is the direct result of the Amber Group relationship. The platform benefits from institutional market-making that provides exceptionally deep order books for a DEX of its size.

In our testing, we found BTC order book depth to be impressive. According to Artemis data from November 2025, EdgeX maintained an average BTC order book depth of 126 BTC within 1 basis point of the mid-price. That is deep enough for virtually any retail trader and competitive for smaller institutional orders.

With a TVL of $485 million and daily volume averaging around $5.7 billion (with peaks considerably higher), EdgeX consistently ranks among the top five perpetual DEXes by volume. We placed several test orders in the $5,000-$25,000 range on BTC and ETH pairs and experienced effectively zero slippage at the sizes we tested. Spread was tight, typically just $1-3 on BTC.

The combination of Amber Group's professional market-making and the high-throughput matching engine creates execution quality that is genuinely competitive with top centralized exchanges. For a platform that launched only in 2024, this level of liquidity depth is impressive for a newcomer.

Advanced Features

EdgeX offers several features beyond basic perpetual trading that deserve attention.

Points and Rewards System: EdgeX runs an active points system that rewards trading activity, with points convertible to EDGE tokens at the TGE. There is a 1.2x XP multiplier for trades executed through the mobile app, which incentivizes mobile usage and has helped shape EdgeX's mobile-first identity.

NFT Integration: The platform has issued NFT collections tied to the EDGE token distribution. NFT holders receive a share of the 25% allocation set aside for the community distribution alongside points holders.

Cross-Chain Deposits: Despite running on StarkEx (an Ethereum-based rollup), EdgeX supports cross-chain deposit and withdrawal features that allow users to move funds from multiple networks without complex bridging steps.

Staking (upcoming): With the EDGE token launch, staking will become available, allowing token holders to earn rewards while participating in platform governance and getting fee reductions.

The V2 roadmap adds considerably more to this list: permissionless liquidity modules, RWA (real-world asset) tokenization, and on-chain copy-trading are all planned for 2026. If executed well, these features would position EdgeX as more than just a trading venue.

Fees and Pricing

Fee Structure

EdgeX charges a base taker fee of 0.03% with zero gas fees on all trades. This is a clear pricing model - the protocol absorbs all transaction costs, so the only fee you pay is the trading fee itself. Maker orders also incur minimal fees, creating a fee structure that rewards limit order placement.

With the upcoming EDGE token, holders will receive additional fee discounts, further reducing costs for active traders. The exact discount tiers have not been finalized as of this writing, but early indications suggest discounts of up to 20-30% for significant EDGE holdings.

For a platform running on an Ethereum ZK-rollup, the zero gas fee model is particularly notable. Other StarkEx-based platforms or L2 DEXes often pass rollup costs through to users, even if those costs are small. EdgeX's decision to absorb these costs entirely removes friction from the trading experience.

How EdgeX Fees Compare

EdgeX sits in the middle of the pack on taker fees - slightly higher than Hyperliquid and Vertex, but meaningfully lower than dYdX. The advantage of EdgeX's fee structure becomes more apparent when you factor in the higher maximum leverage (100x) and the institutional-grade liquidity depth, which means less slippage on larger orders.

Compared to dYdX, EdgeX offers a 40% lower taker fee (0.03% vs 0.05%) and 5x higher maximum leverage (100x vs 20x). Against Hyperliquid, EdgeX trades a slightly higher fee (0.03% vs 0.025%) for double the maximum leverage (100x vs 50x) and the security advantages of an Ethereum-settled ZK-rollup.

Real-World Cost Examples

Here is how EdgeX fees play out in practice:

Example 1: Opening a $10,000 BTC long position at 10x leverage Taker fee: $10,000 x 0.03% = $3.00. Gas fee: $0.00. Total cost: $3.00. The same trade on dYdX would cost $5.00. On Hyperliquid: $2.50.

Example 2: A day trader doing 15 round-trip trades of $8,000 each Total volume: $240,000. EdgeX cost: $240,000 x 0.03% = $72 in taker fees, $0 gas. On dYdX: $120. On GMX: $120-$168 plus gas fees.

Example 3: A swing trader executing a $50,000 position with limit order entry and market exit Entry (maker): $50,000 x 0.01% = $5.00. Exit (taker): $50,000 x 0.03% = $15.00. Total round-trip cost: $20.00. This compares favorably to most alternatives and represents solid value for the execution quality received.

The October 2025 milestone of $52.4 million in monthly fees across $137.9 billion in volume tells us that users are actively trading at scale on the platform, suggesting the fee structure is competitive enough to attract and retain volume.

Security and Safety

Smart Contract Audits

EdgeX has undergone three major audits from reputable firms:

1. StarkWare conducted the initial audit in June 2024, covering the StarkEx integration layer that handles the core rollup mechanics. Given that StarkWare developed StarkEx themselves, this audit carries particular weight - they understand the technology better than anyone.

1. CertiK audited the smart contracts in February 2025, examining the trading logic, position management, and liquidation mechanisms.

1. Zellic performed the most recent audit in August 2025, focusing on the V2 architecture ahead of its planned launch. Zellic is highly respected in the industry and has audited major protocols including StarkWare itself, LayerZero, and Wormhole.

Three audits from three different firms provides a reasonable level of assurance, especially with the V2-specific Zellic audit covering the newest code. However, as with any protocol in active development, new features and updates may introduce code that has not yet been externally reviewed.

Security Track Record

As of February 2026, EdgeX has not experienced any significant security exploits or incidents. The platform has processed hundreds of billions in volume since its 2024 launch without any reported loss of user funds. This clean track record is promising, though it is worth noting that EdgeX is still relatively young compared to protocols that have weathered multiple market cycles.

The underlying StarkEx technology has a strong security record across all implementations. StarkWare's ZK-rollup infrastructure is used by several major platforms (including dYdX V3, Immutable X, and others), and the core technology has been battle-tested with billions in cumulative volume across the ecosystem.

User Protection Features

EdgeX employs several security measures to protect users:

Multisig governance controls critical protocol operations, preventing any single key from making unilateral changes.

48-hour timelock delay on smart contract upgrades gives users time to review and react to any proposed protocol changes before they take effect. This is a meaningful safeguard - many newer protocols have shorter or no timelocks.

$500,000 bug bounty program incentivizes responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities. While smaller than Hyperliquid's $2 million bounty, it is still a substantial reward that encourages security researchers to probe the protocol.

ZK-rollup security model means that even if the EdgeX matching engine were compromised, user funds would remain secured by Ethereum L1. Withdrawals can always be forced through the Ethereum base layer, providing a security backstop that purely L1-based DEXes cannot match.

The main security concern is the closed-source codebase. Like several competitors, EdgeX does not publish its source code publicly, limiting the ability of independent researchers to verify the implementation. This is a trade-off the team has made, likely to protect proprietary trading technology, but it does require additional trust from users.

Getting Started with EdgeX

Connecting Your Wallet

Getting started with EdgeX is notably easy compared to most DEXes. Visit edgex.exchange and you will see two onboarding paths:

1. Social Login (MPC): Click "Sign Up" and enter your email address or connect through a social account (Google, Apple). This creates an MPC wallet behind the scenes - you do not need MetaMask or any external wallet software. This is ideal for users who are newer to DeFi or prefer a CEX-like onboarding experience.

1. Wallet Connect: Click "Connect Wallet" to link MetaMask, WalletConnect, Coinbase Wallet-wallet), or other supported wallets. This is the standard DEX connection method and preferred by more experienced users who want full control over their private keys.

No KYC verification is required. The social login option is what truly sets EdgeX apart from competitors on onboarding - we were trading within 60 seconds of creating an account through email, which is faster than any other perp DEX we have tested.

Making Your First Deposit

EdgeX supports deposits in USDC and USDT. Because the platform runs on StarkEx (an Ethereum L2), deposits from Ethereum mainnet are supported natively. The cross-chain deposit feature also allows deposits from other networks including Arbitrum, Optimism, BSC, and Polygon.

The deposit process is simple: select your asset and network, enter the amount, and approve the transaction in your wallet. Deposits from Ethereum typically confirm within a few minutes. Cross-chain deposits may take slightly longer depending on the source network.

One advantage of the StarkEx architecture is that withdrawals back to Ethereum L1 are trustlessly guaranteed by the ZK-rollup proofs. Even in a worst-case scenario where the EdgeX sequencer goes offline, users can force-withdraw their funds directly through Ethereum. This is a meaningful security advantage over platforms that use their own L1 chains.

Placing Your First Trade

Once funded, select your desired market from the pair list. BTC-USDT and ETH-USDT are good starting points for testing execution. Choose your leverage level (start low if you are new to perpetual trading), enter your position size, select market or limit order, and submit.

We recommend placing a small limit order first to experience the matching speed. In our tests, limit orders placed at or near the best bid/ask were filled within milliseconds. The confirmation appears almost instantly in your positions panel. It is genuinely fast - noticeably faster than most DEXes we have used.

User Experience

Desktop Platform

The EdgeX desktop web application is clean and functional, though it prioritizes simplicity over the information density that some professional traders prefer. The dark-themed interface is easy on the eyes during long trading sessions, and page load times are quick.

The chart occupies the center of the screen with the order book and trade entry on either side. Position management, order history, and trade history are tabbed below. The layout is responsive and works well on different screen sizes, though the customization options are limited - you cannot rearrange panels or create custom layouts like some more mature platforms allow.

Performance was consistently strong during our testing. We experienced no crashes, no stuck orders, and no display glitches even during high-volatility market events. The platform handled everything we threw at it without breaking a sweat.

Mobile Experience

This is where EdgeX genuinely differentiates itself. The mobile app, available on both iOS and Android, is not an afterthought - it is arguably the primary product. The mobile-first design philosophy is apparent throughout: the interface feels native and purpose-built for touch interaction, not a scaled-down version of the desktop site.

The app mirrors the full trading functionality of the desktop platform. You can view charts, manage positions, set stop-losses, and execute trades with the same speed and reliability. Push notifications for fills, liquidation warnings, and price alerts keep you informed when away from the screen.

The 1.2x XP multiplier for mobile trading is a clever incentive that has clearly driven adoption. During our testing, the mobile experience felt comparable to trading on a well-built centralized exchange app. We were able to monitor and manage multiple positions comfortably while on the move.

Customer Support

EdgeX provides customer support through Discord and Twitter. The Discord community is active, and team members respond to technical queries within a few hours during business hours. Documentation is available at docs.edgex.exchange and covers the basics of depositing, trading, and withdrawing.

That said, the documentation could be more comprehensive, particularly around advanced trading features and the technical details of the StarkEx integration. There is no live chat or ticket-based support system yet, which is a gap that should be addressed as the user base grows. For a platform handling billions in daily volume, the support infrastructure needs to scale alongside the product.

EdgeX vs Competitors

EdgeX vs Hyperliquid: The comparison everyone wants to make. Hyperliquid has roughly 5x the TVL, higher daily volume, and slightly lower fees. However, EdgeX offers double the maximum leverage (100x vs 50x) and the security advantage of being settled on Ethereum through ZK-rollup proofs. Hyperliquid's custom L1, while extremely fast, requires trusting its smaller validator set for fund security. EdgeX also has a significantly better mobile experience. For traders who prioritize Ethereum-level security and higher leverage, EdgeX is worth serious consideration. For maximum liquidity and the lowest possible fees, Hyperliquid still leads.

EdgeX vs dYdX: Both use order book architecture, but EdgeX is faster (sub-10ms vs dYdX's higher latency), cheaper (0.03% vs 0.05% taker), and offers higher leverage (100x vs 20x). dYdX has more trading pairs (200+) and is open-source, providing transparency advantages. dYdX also has a longer track record and larger community. EdgeX is the better choice for active traders who want speed and competitive fees; dYdX appeals to those who value decentralization credentials and broader market selection.

EdgeX vs Drift: These platforms target somewhat different audiences. Drift operates on Solana with an AMM/CLOB hybrid model and lower leverage limits (10x). EdgeX offers significantly higher leverage, deeper order book liquidity, and faster matching. Drift's advantage lies in the Solana ecosystem integration and lower barriers to entry for smaller traders. For serious perpetual futures trading, EdgeX is the stronger platform.

Who Should Use EdgeX?

EdgeX is best suited for:

1. Mobile-first traders who want a genuine mobile trading experience, not a compromised desktop adaptation
2. Active perpetual futures traders who value ultra-low latency execution and deep order book liquidity
3. Security-conscious DeFi users who want Ethereum-settled ZK-rollup security rather than trusting a standalone L1 chain
4. Higher leverage traders who need up to 100x on major pairs
5. Newcomers to DEX trading who prefer email/social login onboarding over wallet management
6. Points farmers looking to accumulate allocation ahead of the EDGE token launch

EdgeX may not be ideal for:

1. Traders who need the deepest possible liquidity, as Hyperliquid still leads significantly on TVL and volume
2. Users who insist on open-source transparency, since the codebase is proprietary
3. Spot traders (at least until V2 launches with spot market support)
4. DeFi builders looking to deploy smart contracts on the platform (V2 will address this)
5. Users who dislike platform transitions, as the V1 to V2 migration may cause temporary disruptions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EdgeX V2 and when does it launch?

EdgeX V2 transforms the platform from a perpetual DEX to a market-focused Layer 2 network, introducing modular multi-VM execution, spot markets, Polymarket integration, and plans for tokenized stocks. V2 is targeting Q1 2026 launch alongside the EDGE token, with the Token Generation Event scheduled for March 31, 2026. The upgrade represents a significant expansion of the platform's scope and capabilities.

How is EdgeX connected to Amber Group?

Amber Group incubated EdgeX and provides institutional-grade liquidity to the platform. Amber Group is one of the largest digital asset trading firms globally, managing over $3 billion in assets. This relationship ensures deep order books and tight spreads on EdgeX, and Amber Group's trading expertise directly informed the platform's architecture and feature design.

Is EdgeX safe to use?

EdgeX has been audited by StarkWare, CertiK, and Zellic, uses a 48-hour timelock on smart contract upgrades, multisig governance, and a $500,000 bug bounty program. The platform runs on StarkEx's ZK-rollup technology, meaning funds are ultimately secured by Ethereum L1. Users can force-withdraw through Ethereum even if the EdgeX sequencer goes offline. There have been no security incidents as of February 2026.

What are EdgeX trading fees?

EdgeX charges a 0.03% taker fee with zero gas fees on all trades. Maker orders incur minimal fees. The protocol absorbs all transaction costs. The upcoming EDGE token will provide additional fee discounts for holders, with estimated reductions of 20-30% based on token holdings.

When will the EDGE token launch?

The EDGE token is scheduled to launch alongside EdgeX V2, with the Token Generation Event set for March 31, 2026. Twenty-five percent of the 1 billion total supply will be distributed to points holders and NFT holders. The token will be used for governance, trading fee discounts, staking rewards, and platform utilities.

Does EdgeX have a mobile app?

Yes, EdgeX has dedicated mobile apps for both iOS and Android. The platform takes a mobile-first design approach, and the mobile apps are arguably the strongest aspect of the EdgeX user experience. Mobile traders receive a 1.2x XP multiplier on trading activity, incentivizing mobile usage.

How does EdgeX use ZK-rollup technology?

EdgeX runs on StarkEx, StarkWare's ZK-rollup engine. All trades are matched off-chain for speed (sub-10ms latency), then batched into zero-knowledge proofs that are verified on Ethereum L1. This provides centralized exchange-level performance while maintaining Ethereum-level security for settlements and withdrawals. The ZK-rollup guarantees that even if EdgeX goes offline, users can always access their funds through Ethereum.

How does EdgeX compare to Hyperliquid?

EdgeX offers higher maximum leverage (100x vs 50x), Ethereum-settled ZK-rollup security, a better mobile experience, and easier onboarding through social login. Hyperliquid has deeper liquidity ($2.5B TVL vs $485M), higher daily volume ($8B+ vs $5.7B), slightly lower fees (0.025% vs 0.03%), and a more mature ecosystem through HyperEVM. The choice depends on your priorities: security and leverage favor EdgeX; liquidity and fees favor Hyperliquid.

Final Verdict

EdgeX is a seriously impressive perp DEX that deserves more attention than it currently receives. The combination of sub-10ms execution speed, 200,000+ orders per second throughput, institutional-grade liquidity from Amber Group, and Ethereum-settled ZK-rollup security creates a platform that excels on the fundamentals of trading.

The mobile-first approach is refreshing in a space where most platforms treat mobile as secondary. The email and social login onboarding is the smoothest we have tested on any DEX. And the upcoming V2 launch with the EDGE token, spot markets, and expanded product offerings could significantly broaden the platform's appeal.

The honest drawbacks are the closed-source codebase, the relatively modest TVL compared to Hyperliquid, and the fact that the EDGE token has not yet launched, leaving some uncertainty about tokenomics execution. The V1 to V2 transition also carries inherent risks of any major platform migration.

We rate EdgeX 9.2 out of 10 - a strong platform that is doing many things right and has significant room to grow. For mobile traders, security-focused DeFi users, and anyone who values institutional-quality execution, EdgeX belongs on your shortlist. Keep a close eye on the V2 launch - if executed well, EdgeX could move from a strong contender to a market leader.