Perpetual contracts have become a key tool for traders who want to hold leveraged positions without worrying about expiration dates. Multichain decentralized exchanges take this a step further by allowing access to these contracts across different blockchain networks. This combination gives traders more flexibility, more market options, and greater control over their positions.
As more platforms support trading across multiple chains, the choices can feel overwhelming. However, focusing on exchanges that offer strong liquidity, transparent execution, and secure on-chain settlement can make a big difference. This article explores five leading multichain DEXs for perpetual contracts and what sets each apart in today’s market.
1. Apex – Popular Decentralized Platform Offering High Leverage Perpetual Trading Across Multiple Blockchains
ApeX is a decentralized exchange that focuses on perpetual contracts for cryptocurrency traders. It operates without custody of user funds, allowing traders to keep control of their assets while executing trades directly on the platform.
The platform supports multiple blockchains, which allows users to trade across different networks without moving funds through centralized services. This multi-chain approach can help reduce friction for traders who hold assets on various chains. ApeX offers leverage of up to 50x on certain markets, giving traders the ability to open larger positions with smaller amounts of capital. However, higher leverage also increases the risk of liquidation.
It supports cross-margined perpetual contracts, meaning traders can use a shared margin balance across multiple positions. This can make capital use more efficient while still providing flexibility in trading strategies.
Low fees and instant settlement help make the platform appealing to active traders who value speed and cost efficiency in their transactions.
2. dYdX – Leading Multichain DEX for Perpetual Contracts with Strong Liquidity and User Control
dYdX is a decentralized exchange that focuses on perpetual contracts across multiple blockchains. It launched in 2017 and uses smart contracts to let users trade directly from their wallets without giving up control of their funds. This setup removes the need for intermediaries.
The platform supports over 35 popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ether. Traders can access leverage of up to 25x or more on selected markets, which allows both short and long positions. Liquidity remains strong due to active market participation.
dYdX uses a layer 2 scaling solution to process trades faster and with lower fees compared to the Ethereum mainnet. This makes it more practical for frequent trading.
Its design appeals to users who want transparency and direct control over their assets. The combination of high liquidity, multiple asset options, and decentralized settlement has made it a leading choice for perpetual contract trading.
3. Perpetual Protocol – Known for Transparent Pricing and Permissionless Perpetual Futures on Various Chains
Perpetual Protocol operates as a decentralized exchange focused on perpetual futures contracts. It allows traders to open long or short positions without an expiry date, which offers more flexibility compared to traditional futures.
The platform uses a funding rate system to keep contract prices close to the spot market. This mechanism helps maintain fair and transparent pricing over time.
It supports multiple blockchains, giving users access to markets across different networks. This multichain approach can help reduce congestion and offer lower transaction costs in some cases.
Trading on the protocol does not require approval from a central authority. Users can connect a compatible wallet and start trading directly on-chain.
Its native token plays a role in governance and staking, giving the community influence over protocol changes. This structure aligns the interests of traders, liquidity providers, and developers.
4. Kwenta – Multichain DEX Focused on Decentralized Perpetual Contracts with Low Fees
Kwenta is a decentralized exchange that offers perpetual futures across multiple blockchains. It operates on networks such as Optimism, Base, and Arbitrum, which provide faster transactions and lower costs compared to many mainnet platforms.
The platform uses smart contracts to allow traders to open and close positions without a central authority. It supports high leverage, up to 50x, on a range of cryptocurrency markets. This gives users flexibility to trade with different strategies.
By integrating with established liquidity protocols, Kwenta can offer deep on-chain liquidity and competitive pricing. This helps reduce slippage, especially for larger trades.
Its deployment on Layer 2 solutions like Optimism also reduces gas fees, making frequent trading more cost-effective. Lower fees and smaller minimum trade sizes make it accessible to a wider group of traders.
Kwenta’s multichain setup allows users to choose the network that fits their needs for speed, cost, and asset availability. This approach helps it serve both casual and active derivatives traders.
5. Mango Markets – Offers perpetual contract trading with cross-margining on Solana and Ethereum
Mango Markets is a decentralized exchange that supports perpetual contracts on both Solana and Ethereum. It uses an on-chain order book to match trades, which allows users to place precise limit orders without relying on centralized systems.
The platform offers cross-margin trading, meaning traders can use their entire account balance as collateral across multiple positions. This approach can help manage risk more efficiently compared to isolated margin setups.
Users can access up to 5x leverage on supported assets. The exchange also provides lending features, allowing traders to earn interest on idle funds while keeping them available for margin use.
Low transaction fees come from the high throughput of the Solana blockchain, while Ethereum integration expands asset availability. This combination gives traders more market options without sacrificing speed.
By merging perpetual contracts, margin trading, and lending in one interface, Mango Markets aims to give traders a flexible toolset for managing positions across two major blockchain networks.
Conclusion
Multichain DEXs for perpetual contracts give traders more flexibility by allowing access to multiple networks in one place. This reduces the need to move assets between chains and can save both time and fees.
The top platforms stand out for their liquidity depth, transparent pricing, and consistent execution speed. These factors help traders manage positions more effectively across different market conditions.
As the market develops, users may see more tools for risk control and better integration between chains. This could make perpetual contract trading smoother and more accessible for a wider range of participants.
