Thorchain is a decentralized liquidity protocol that enables users to swap native crypto assets across multiple blockchains without relying on centralized exchanges or wrapped tokens. Unlike traditional trading platforms, Thorchain eliminates the need for intermediaries and trust, using innovative on-chain mechanisms to facilitate seamless, cross-chain swaps.
Thorchain uses an Automated Market Maker (AMM) model, where users provide liquidity in pairs (e.g., BTC/RUNE) to earn fees from traders. The protocol's native token, RUNE, plays a central role in bonding, governance, and liquidity.
Each asset is paired with RUNE, creating RUNE-based pools. This design allows Thorchain to facilitate trades between any supported assets via RUNE as the intermediary.
With the growing number of layer-1 blockchains and the fragmentation of liquidity, Thorchain solves a critical problem: interoperability. It provides a decentralized, secure way to move assets across chains, making it a powerful tool for traders, DeFi protocols, and liquidity providers alike.
Thorchain is used to swap native cryptocurrencies across different blockchains without using wrapped assets or centralized exchanges.
Thorchain uses RUNE liquidity pools and a decentralized network of nodes to facilitate native asset swaps between blockchains.
RUNE is Thorchain’s native token. It’s used for bonding nodes, providing liquidity, and as a settlement layer for trades.
Thorchain uses decentralized security mechanisms, including economic bonding and continuous audits, though risks in DeFi always exist.
Yes. By providing liquidity to pools, users earn trading fees and RUNE rewards.
Popular wallets like XDEFI Wallet, Trust Wallet, and Keplr (via integrations) support Thorchain swaps.