Vertex Protocol
Vertex
Vertex was a cross-chain DEX with a unified orderbook bringing spot, perpetuals and lending into a single app, plus VRTX token staking. The protocol has been wound down: in July 2025 the team was absorbed by the Ink Foundation (the Kraken-backed L2), trading was closed across all chains between 8 July and 14 August 2025 and the VRTX token was sunset (INK airdrop to holders, snapshot 8/7/2025). As of 23 July 2026 vertexprotocol.com returns a 404.
Data & conditions
| Liquidity model | Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Maker / Taker fee | 0% / 0.02% |
| Markets | Spot + Perp |
| Supported chains | Arbitrum, Mantle, Base, Sei, Sonic |
| TVL (as of Jun 13) | $40M |
| 24h volume | $0 |
| Native token | VRTX |
| Fund custody | Non-custodial (funds in your wallet) |
| Supported wallets | MetaMask, WalletConnect |
| Audits | OtterSec (2023/2024) — audit smart contract core, Three Sigma (2024) — audit motori spot/perp, order book ibrido e cross-margin |
| Governance | VRTX token + Vertex DAO. V1: direct Snapshot voting by VRTX holders. V2 (active): sub-council governance model with elected core contributors, quarterly elections, quadratic voting. VRTX staking yields xVRTX and voVRTX for fee sharing and enhanced voting rights. |
| KYC | Full |
| Supported countries | US, EEA, APAC, LATAM, MENA, AFRICA · 200+ countries |
| Regulator | None |
| Segment | B2C |
| MiCA / License status | None (decentralized protocol) |
Strengths
- Cross-chain orderbook unificato; spot+perp+lending in a'app; VRTX staking.
- Self-custody: funds stay in your wallet — the platform cannot touch them.
- Permissionless and decentralized: no approval needed to operate.
- Public security audits.
Weaknesses
- Protocol wound down: trading closed on all chains by 14/8/2025, team absorbed by the Ink Foundation, VRTX token sunset; website returning 404 as of 23/7/2026.
- Full KYC required: verified identity, zero pseudonymity.
Verdict
The decisive point is that the protocol no longer exists as a service: trading was closed on all chains between 8 July and 14 August 2025, the team merged into the Ink Foundation and the website returns a 404. VRTX holders received an INK airdrop (snapshot 8/7/2025). With nothing left to use, the score drops to tier D due to the service's status.
From a crypto-native angle Vertex offered a strong profile: a non-custodial cross-chain DEX, unified order book, zero maker fee, on-chain settlement. The orderly shutdown — with a public announcement, a wind-down window and compensation to VRTX holders via the INK airdrop — is the right way to retire a protocol, and the non-custodial design protected funds until the end. But today there is no service left to assess.
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
Is Vertex Protocol truly decentralized?
Vertex Protocol is no longer operational: trading was closed on all chains by 14 August 2025, the team was absorbed by the Ink Foundation and the VRTX token was sunset. It was a non-custodial decentralized exchange with a hybrid CLOB+AMM liquidity model.
Which blockchains does Vertex Protocol support?
Vertex Protocol is available on Arbitrum, Mantle, Base, Sei and Sonic.
What is Vertex Protocol's TVL?
Vertex Protocol's TVL is not available in this snapshot; check DefiLlama for the live figure.
What are Vertex Protocol's fees?
Vertex Protocol's trading fees range 0% – 0.02%. On top of these there are on-chain gas fees, which vary with network congestion.
Does Vertex Protocol support perpetuals and leverage?
Vertex Protocol offers perpetual contracts, with up to 20x leverage. It supports spot token swaps.
Sources
- Official service page Liquidity model · TVL · Blockchain · Fees · +7 Data verified on Jul 23, 2026
- theblock.co Data verified on Jul 23, 2026
- tradingview.com Data verified on Jul 23, 2026
- blog.vertexprotocol.com Data verified on Jun 14, 2026
Show 9 more sources
- cbinsights.com Legal name · Company type · Stock ticker · Stock listing · +1 Data verified on Jun 14, 2026
- defillama.com 24h volume Data verified on Jun 14, 2026
- docs.vertexprotocol.com Bug bounty · Trustpilot reviews · Supported wallets Data verified on Jun 14, 2026
- threesigma.xyz Past incidents · Security audit Data verified on Jun 14, 2026
- tokeninsight.com Latest funding round · Investors Data verified on Jun 14, 2026
- aicoin.com Governance Data verified on Jun 13, 2026
- dexrank.com TVL Data verified on Jun 13, 2026
- official-vertex-protocol-net.pages.dev Third-party audit Data verified on Jun 13, 2026
- rootdata.com Founders Data verified on Jun 13, 2026
Update history
- Protocol wound down: team and technology absorbed by the Ink Foundation (Kraken-backed L2) in July 2025, trading closed on all chains between 8/7 and 14/8/2025, VRTX token sunset with an INK airdrop to holders (snapshot 8/7/2025). vertexprotocol.com returns a 404. Score adjusted to the service's status (1.5, tier D).