In a strategic move that bridges the gap between centralized exchange (CEX) performance and decentralized finance (DeFi) principles, Crypto.com has integrated dYdX’s order-book engine into its Onchain App, enabling users to trade on-chain perpetuals with full self-custody. This integration marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of mobile crypto trading—delivering high-performance derivatives without compromising control over private keys.
The new feature allows traders to open leveraged positions, set stop-loss orders, and execute API-driven trades—all from their smartphones—without ever leaving the app or exposing their seed phrases. It’s a seamless blend of speed, security, and sovereignty.
Bridging Two Worlds: CEX Usability Meets DEX Control
For years, a clear divide has existed in the crypto ecosystem:
- Centralized exchange users enjoy intuitive interfaces, deep liquidity, and advanced charting tools.
- DeFi purists prioritize ownership, transparency, and censorship resistance—but often at the cost of speed and user experience.
Crypto.com’s integration with dYdX aims to dissolve this trade-off. By embedding dYdX’s battle-tested on-chain order-book infrastructure, the Onchain App now offers professional-grade derivatives trading with full custody retention.
👉 Discover how on-chain perpetuals are redefining mobile trading
This means users get:
- Up to 20× leverage on major crypto pairs
- Real-time order execution via dYdX’s high-throughput matching engine
- Transparent, verifiable settlement on-chain
- No need to bridge assets or interact with complex DeFi interfaces
It’s designed for traders who want the responsiveness of Binance Futures—but with the peace of mind that comes from never surrendering control of their funds.
Why dYdX? Three Key Advantages
1. Proven Scale and Performance
dYdX is no experimental protocol. With over $1.5 trillion in lifetime trading volume, it stands as one of the most robust on-chain derivatives platforms in existence. Its order book consistently maintains spreads comparable to top centralized exchanges—even during periods of extreme volatility.
By leveraging dYdX’s infrastructure, Crypto.com taps into deep, liquid markets while maintaining full on-chain settlement. Every trade is provably transparent, with risk calculations and margin positions recorded immutably on the blockchain.
2. Scalable, Modular Architecture
Unlike many DeFi protocols bottlenecked by Ethereum’s congestion, dYdX runs on its own Cosmos-based application-specific chain. This design separates order matching from settlement, allowing for fast fills even when gas fees spike on Ethereum.
More importantly, dYdX offers a “bring-your-own-frontend” model, meaning platforms like Crypto.com can fully customize the user interface while offloading complex backend operations—such as funding rate calculations, liquidation logic, and cross-margin risk management—to dYdX’s proven system.
This modular approach enables rapid deployment and consistent performance across different apps and ecosystems.
3. Shared Philosophy: Self-Custody Without Sacrifice
Both Crypto.com and dYdX share a vision: advanced financial tools should not require surrendering control. The Onchain App already supports swaps, staking, and wallet management—all within a non-custodial environment. Adding perpetual futures was the natural next step.
Now, pro traders can access sophisticated derivatives directly from their mobile devices without needing to trust third-party custodians or navigate fragmented DeFi landscapes.
👉 See what’s next for self-custodied derivatives trading
A Strategic Expansion for Both Platforms
For Crypto.com, this integration strengthens its position as a gateway to real DeFi functionality—offering millions of users an easy path into on-chain trading without onboarding friction.
With over 80 million registered wallets, Crypto.com provides dYdX with unprecedented distribution reach. Instead of relying solely on crypto-native users, dYdX can now access mainstream audiences who may have previously avoided DeFi due to complexity or security concerns.
But the implications go beyond user growth.
dYdX’s Vision: The “Stripe” of On-Chain Trading
Behind this partnership lies a broader ambition: dYdX wants to become the embedded infrastructure layer for on-chain derivatives—much like Stripe powers payments across the web.
Any wallet, neo-bank, or super-app could soon integrate perpetual futures via dYdX’s API, retain their own branding and UX, and let dYdX handle the heavy lifting:
- Order matching
- Risk engine operations
- Funding rate calculations
- Cross-margin accounting
This “plug-and-trade” model could accelerate the adoption of truly decentralized derivatives across consumer finance apps worldwide.
If successful, we may see a future where:
- Mobile banking apps offer Bitcoin futures alongside savings accounts
- Gaming platforms enable in-game asset hedging
- Social wallets allow leveraged speculation without leaving the chat
And all of it—fully self-custodied, transparent, and on-chain.
The Future Is On-Chain by Default
This integration signals a shift in how we think about crypto finance. Rather than forcing users to choose between convenience and control, platforms are beginning to offer both.
“CEX liquidity, DEX custody” is emerging as a powerful hybrid model—one that combines the best of both worlds:
- Speed and depth from mature trading engines
- Security and transparency from decentralized settlement
As more users demand ownership without complexity, expect to see similar integrations across other major platforms.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are on-chain perpetuals?
On-chain perpetual futures are derivative contracts that allow leveraged trading without expiration dates, where all aspects—order matching, settlement, collateral management—are executed and recorded directly on the blockchain. Unlike traditional DeFi derivatives that rely on oracles or off-chain components, true on-chain perpetuals offer full transparency and auditability.
How does self-custody work with leveraged trading?
In this setup, your funds remain in your own wallet at all times. When you open a perpetual position via Crypto.com’s Onchain App powered by dYdX, you sign transactions locally. The dYdX protocol handles margin accounting and liquidations on-chain, so no third party ever holds your assets.
Is this available globally?
Availability depends on regional regulations. While the Onchain App is accessible in many countries, certain features like leveraged derivatives may be restricted in jurisdictions with strict financial oversight. Users should check local compliance requirements before trading.
Can I use API trading with this integration?
Yes. The dYdX engine supports API access, allowing advanced traders to automate strategies directly from the Crypto.com Onchain App environment—while still retaining full control over their keys and funds.
Does this use Ethereum or another blockchain?
While dYdX originated as an Ethereum-based protocol, its current chain is built using Cosmos SDK and operates as a standalone Proof-of-Stake blockchain. However, it maintains strong interoperability with Ethereum through bridges and shared security models.
Will other platforms adopt this model?
It’s highly likely. As demand grows for non-custodial yet high-performance trading experiences, more wallets and fintech apps will look to embed modular DeFi infrastructure like dYdX’s. This “embedded finance” trend mirrors earlier shifts in traditional fintech and could define the next phase of crypto adoption.
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