About the 1inch Network
The 1inch Network is a collection of decentralized protocols that work together to optimize crypto trading for users in the Web3 space. It acts as a decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator, pulling liquidity from hundreds of sources across multiple blockchains to ensure users get the most favorable rates. The main components of the network are the 1inch Aggregation Protocol, the 1inch Liquidity Protocol, the 1inch Limit Order Protocol, and the 1inch Wallet.
The **1inch Swap Engine**, which is built on the Aggregation Protocol and Limit Order Protocol, is a decentralized trading and matching system that connects DEX users. It executes trade orders using a Dutch auction model, which is more flexible and efficient than traditional swaps or limit orders. A key feature of the Swap Engine is **Fusion mode**, which allows users to swap tokens without paying network fees and provides protection against Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) attacks. Swaps in Fusion mode are executed by "resolvers," who are professional traders that compete to fill orders.
History of the 1inch Network
The history of the 1inch Network began in May 2019 at the ETHGlobal hackathon in New York. At the time, finding the best swap rates required users to manually compare prices across multiple DEXs. To solve this, co-founders Sergej Kunz and Anton Bukov developed a prototype of a DEX aggregator that became the foundation of the 1inch Network. Their solution for aggregating distributed liquidity in an efficient and user-friendly way addressed a significant problem in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
About the 1INCH token
The 1INCH token was released in December 2020 by the 1inch Foundation. It serves as both a **governance** and **utility** token for the network. Holders of 1INCH can stake their tokens to participate in the network's Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) governance, giving them a voice in key decisions. Following the Fusion upgrade in December 2022, users can also stake 1INCH tokens to receive "Unicorn Power" (UP), which can be delegated to 1inch Fusion resolvers in exchange for rewards.