What is Avantis and how does it work?
Avantis is a decentralized perpetuals exchange built on the Base network (Ethereum Layer 2). It enables traders to open leveraged positions on a wide range of global assets — including FX pairs, precious metals, commodities, and cryptocurrencies — with up to 500x leverage.
The protocol is entirely non-custodial: all positions, settlements, and liquidity management happen through audited smart contracts. Traders interact directly from their Web3 wallets without depositing funds to a centralized entity.
Avantis uses a liquidity pool model where USDC depositors act as the counterparty to traders, earning fees and capturing trader losses when trades close in the pool's favor.
Which blockchain network does Avantis use?
Avantis is deployed on Base, the Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain developed by Coinbase. Base offers fast transaction finality, low gas fees, and full EVM compatibility, making it ideal for high-frequency trading activity.
To use Avantis, you need to connect a wallet that supports the Base network, such as MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or any WalletConnect-compatible wallet. You will also need a small amount of ETH on Base for gas fees.
How do I start trading on Avantis?
Getting started on Avantis is straightforward:
1. Set up a wallet — Install MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or any WalletConnect-supported wallet and switch to the Base network.
2. Fund your wallet — Bridge or transfer USDC and a small amount of ETH (for gas) to Base. You can use the official Base Bridge or supported on-ramps.
3. Connect to Avantis — Visit the Avantis app and click "Login" to connect your wallet.
4. Open a position — Select your asset, set your leverage (up to 500x), enter your position size, and confirm the trade.
What assets can I trade on Avantis?
Avantis supports a diverse range of global assets, including:
Cryptocurrencies — BTC/USD, ETH/USD, and many more major and mid-cap crypto pairs.
FX (Forex) — Major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, JPY/USD and others.
Metals — Gold (XAU/USD), Silver (XAG/USD) and other precious metals.
Commodities — Energy and commodity markets available for leveraged trading.
This makes Avantis one of the most diverse on-chain trading platforms, offering access to global markets that were previously only available through traditional finance brokers.
What leverage is available and what are the trading fees on Avantis?
Avantis offers up to 500x leverage on supported trading pairs. The maximum leverage available varies by asset class — crypto pairs may allow higher leverage than FX or commodities depending on liquidity and protocol risk parameters.
On fees, Avantis is designed to be highly competitive:
Zero trading fees — Avantis does not charge a per-trade opening or closing fee for most pairs. Instead, the protocol uses a spread model.
Borrowing fees — Open positions accrue a small borrowing fee over time, which is redistributed to LP Vault depositors.
Always check the current fee schedule in the Avantis app before placing a trade, as parameters can be updated by governance.
How are prices determined on Avantis?
Avantis uses decentralized oracle networks to source real-time price feeds for all tradable assets. These oracles aggregate prices from multiple sources to provide accurate, tamper-resistant price data on-chain.
This ensures that position liquidations and settlement prices reflect fair market values rather than being susceptible to single-source price manipulation.
How does the Avantis LP Vault work?
The Avantis LP Vault is a unified liquidity pool where users can deposit USDC to earn yield. When you deposit, you receive avUSDC shares representing your proportion of the vault.
As the counterparty to traders on the platform, vault depositors earn:
100% of trading fees collected from all active positions.
Trader losses — when a trader's position is closed at a loss, those funds flow into the vault, increasing the value of avUSDC shares.
Conversely, when traders are profitable, the vault pays out those profits. The LP Vault previously had Junior and Senior tiers, which have now been unified into a single vault for simplicity.
Current APY and TVL figures are displayed in real time on the Earn page.
What is the AVNT token and the Avantis Security Module?
AVNT is the native token of Avantis. It serves governance and staking functions within the protocol ecosystem.
The Security Module is a staking contract where AVNT holders can lock their tokens to earn additional protocol rewards. In exchange, staked AVNT acts as a backstop of last resort — in the event of a significant shortfall in the LP Vault, a portion of staked AVNT could be slashed to cover the deficit.
Current staking APY and total AVNT staked figures are shown live on the Earn page. Staking through the Security Module is managed via the Avantis Foundation staking portal.
What are the risks of providing liquidity on Avantis?
Like all DeFi protocols, providing liquidity on Avantis carries risks that users should understand before depositing:
Counterparty risk — When traders are net profitable over a period, the LP Vault pays out those winnings, which can reduce the value of avUSDC shares and lower effective APY or result in temporary drawdowns.
Smart contract risk — Although Avantis contracts are audited, no smart contract is 100% risk-free. Bugs or exploits could potentially affect deposited funds.
AVNT staking slashing risk — Stakers in the Security Module face potential slashing in extreme shortfall scenarios.
Always do your own research and only deposit what you can afford to lose.
Is Avantis audited and non-custodial?
Yes. Avantis is a fully non-custodial protocol. Your funds remain in smart contracts on-chain at all times — Avantis never holds or controls user assets. You retain full self-custody via your wallet at every stage.
The Avantis smart contracts have undergone security audits by reputable third-party auditing firms. Audit reports are published and accessible through the official Avantis documentation and GitHub repositories.
The Security Module adds an additional layer of protection by ensuring AVNT stakers have economic incentives to maintain protocol solvency.
What wallets are supported by Avantis?
Avantis supports a wide range of Web3 wallets. You can connect using:
MetaMask — the most popular browser extension wallet, available for Chrome, Firefox, and Brave.
Coinbase Wallet — native support for Base network, ideal for seamless onboarding.
WalletConnect — allows connection from hundreds of mobile and desktop wallets that support the WalletConnect protocol.
Social / Email Login — Avantis also supports Privy-powered social logins for users who prefer not to manage a seed phrase.
Make sure your wallet is configured for the Base network before connecting.
How can I participate in the Avantis community and governance?
Avantis is a community-driven protocol. There are several ways to get involved:
Governance — AVNT token holders can participate in protocol governance by voting on proposals that affect protocol parameters, fee structures, and upgrades.
Twitter / X — Follow @avantisfi for the latest announcements, updates, and community discussions.
Discord — Join the Avantis Discord server to connect with traders, liquidity providers, and the core team.
Referral Program — Earn rewards by referring new traders to Avantis through the official referral program.
Leaderboard — Compete with other traders on the Avantis leaderboard for prizes and recognition.
Does Avantis have a referral program?
Yes! Avantis has an active referral program that rewards users for bringing new traders to the platform. When someone you refer opens and closes positions on Avantis, you earn a percentage of the fees generated by their activity.
Referred users also benefit from reduced fees or other incentives depending on the current referral tier structure.
You can access and manage your referral links through the Referral page on the Avantis app. Simply connect your wallet and generate your unique referral code to start earning.