Introduction

Definitive is a non-custodial on-chain trading platform that replicates the functionality and interface of centralized exchanges while operating within decentralized infrastructure. It supports execution across multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains and Solana. The platform enables advanced trading features such as market, limit, stop loss, take profit, and time-weighted average price (TWAP) orders. These functions are supported by an aggregated liquidity engine that sources pricing from over 100 decentralized exchanges and more than 15 off-chain private market makers. Gas abstraction and transaction batching simplify the trading process by removing the need for users to manage gas fees or interact with multiple blockchain signatures.

What is Definitive (EDGE)?

Definitive is a non-custodial trading platform that facilitates on-chain trade execution across multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible chains and Solana. The platform offers advanced order types such as Market, Limit, and Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP) orders, enabling users to execute complex trading strategies directly on-chain. By aggregating liquidity from over 100 decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and more than 15 off-chain private market makers (PMMs), Definitive aims to provide optimal execution prices for traders. ​

The platform abstracts gas fees and chain complexities, allowing users to execute transactions without the need to manage gas funding or sign multiple transactions. This feature simplifies the trading process and enhances user experience by reducing the technical overhead associated with on-chain transactions.

Definitive offers features tailored for institutional clients, including automated post-trade reporting, sub-accounts, role-based access control, order flow masking, and pre-trade compliance screening. These features are designed to meet institutional asset managers’ operational and regulatory requirements. ​

History, Team and Investors

Definitive was founded in 2022 by former Coinbase Institutional trading alumni and active DeFi experts. The team comprises professionals with experience from companies such as Coinbase, Google, Meta, Alpaca, FactSet, and Entrust Global. The co-founders include Dennis Qian, Jai Prasad, and Blake Arnold.

In November 2023, Definitive raised $4.1 million in a seed funding round. Notable investors include Strobe (formerly BlockTower Capital), Coinbase Ventures, CMT Digital, Robot Ventures, Nascent, Matrixport, and Geometry.

Definitive Main Features

Definitive Advanced Trading

Definitive’s platform supports advanced order types such as Market, Limit, and Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP) orders. Market orders execute immediately at the current market price. Limit orders allow traders to set a specific price at which they are willing to buy or sell an asset, executing only when the market reaches that price.

TWAP orders break down large orders into smaller segments executed over a specified period to minimize market impact and slippage. For example, a trader wanting to purchase a significant token amount without affecting its price might use a TWAP order to spread the purchase over several hours or days. The platform aggregates liquidity from over 100 decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and over 15 off-chain private market makers (PMMs), ensuring competitive execution prices.

Definitive Claim

The Definitive Claim feature enables users to claim tokens distributed through various programs, such as airdrops or rewards. This mechanism ensures that tokens are securely and efficiently delivered to eligible participants. Users can connect their wallets to the platform and, if eligible, claim their tokens directly through the interface. This process eliminates the need for manual distribution and reduces the risk of errors or fraud.

Definitive Staking

Definitive offers a staking mechanism for its native token, EDGE. Users can access various benefits by staking EDGE tokens, including reduced trading fees and eligibility for exclusive platform features. Staking involves locking some EDGE tokens in the platform’s smart contract for a specified period. In return, stakers may receive rewards or incentives, such as a percentage of the platform’s revenue or additional tokens. This process incentivizes holding EDGE tokens and contributes to the platform’s stability and liquidity.

Airdrop

Definitive conducts airdrop programs to distribute EDGE tokens to the community. These airdrops serve various purposes, such as rewarding early adopters, incentivizing platform usage, or promoting community engagement. Participants typically need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for an airdrop, such as holding a certain amount of EDGE tokens or engaging in particular platform activities. Once eligible, users can claim their airdropped tokens through the Definitive Claim feature.

Definitive Launchpad

The Definitive Launchpad is designed to facilitate the introduction and support of new blockchain projects. It provides a platform for emerging projects to conduct token sales, reach potential investors, and gain market exposure. By leveraging Definitive’s infrastructure, new projects can access a broad user base and benefit from the platform’s security and compliance features. Investors, in turn, gain early access to innovative projects and investment opportunities.

Definitive’s Technical Architecture

Definitive’s technical architecture is designed to replicate advanced trading infrastructure within a non-custodial environment. It supports multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains and Solana. The architecture is built around smart contracts executing orders and managing assets on-chain, ensuring that user funds remain in their wallets throughout the process. This structure removes dependency on centralized intermediaries, with wallet connections serving as the primary access point to the platform.

The trading system uses a custom-built Order Management System (OMS) to support advanced order types. Users can execute Market, Limit, Stop Loss, Take Profit, and Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP) orders. The OMS monitors real-time market data and determines when and where to send each order. When a limit condition is met, for example, the OMS routes the trade to the relevant liquidity source. The platform also breaks large trades into smaller orders using TWAP logic to reduce price impact, a method commonly used in traditional trading environments to manage slippage.

Definitive routes orders through a Smart Order Router (SOR) that scans over 100 decentralized exchanges and over 15 off-chain private market makers. The router analyzes available liquidity across these sources and chooses the execution path that provides the best pricing and fill probability. This mechanism is similar to a flight aggregator comparing ticket prices across multiple airlines, except here it compares liquidity pools and market maker quotes. By combining on-chain and off-chain liquidity, the architecture provides more consistent fills and reduced execution costs.

Gas fee abstraction is integrated into the architecture to improve usability. Users do not need to maintain native tokens for gas on each chain or sign multiple approval transactions. The platform wraps necessary gas fees into the trade itself and executes the process in a single step. This eliminates friction associated with multi-chain trading and makes execution more accessible to users who may not be familiar with managing different blockchain fee structures. It also supports automated transaction batching to reduce operational complexity.

What is the EDGE Token?

EDGE Token Utility

Staking EDGE tokens provides users with immediate reductions in trading fees on the Definitive platform. Users unlock discounted trading fees by staking a minimum of 1,000 EDGE, with specific rates determined by their 30-day rolling trading volume. For instance, users with trading volumes between $0 and $99,999 can reduce their market order fees from 0.25% to 0.15% and advanced order fees from 0.50% to 0.25% by staking the required amount. Additionally, staking EDGE grants access to upcoming advanced platform features, enhancing the overall trading experience. ​

EDGE Supply and Allocation

The total supply of EDGE tokens is capped at 1,000,000,000 and is allocated to support platform operations, incentivize participation, and manage long-term ecosystem development. The distribution is structured as follows:

• Community (33%) – This is the largest allocation, designated for community-related initiatives such as liquidity mining, future incentive programs, and on-chain activity rewards. These tokens are currently locked and reserved to maintain long-term alignment with active users and participants.
• Team (27%) – Allocated to the Definitive team, this portion is fully locked and subject to vesting schedules. It is intended to incentivize sustained contribution from founders, developers, and contributors directly involved in the platform’s development and maintenance.
• Airdrop (16%) – Set aside for airdrop distribution, this portion is already unlocked. It supports early user acquisition and platform engagement by rewarding eligible participants for predefined on-chain activities and platform usage.
• Investors (14.5%) – This segment is locked and designated for Definitive’s early investors. The lockup is in place to encourage long-term alignment with the project’s success and likely follows a structured release schedule.
• Treasury (9.5%) – Fully unlocked, this allocation is reserved for the platform’s treasury. It can be used for operational costs, strategic initiatives, grants, and liquidity support where needed. Treasury access enables flexibility in funding ongoing development and responding to ecosystem demands.

EDGE Vesting Schedule

The EDGE token vesting schedule spans from April 2025 to April 2028 and applies structured release timelines to specific allocations. The team allocation, representing 27% of the total supply (270 million EDGE), starts fully locked at the Token Generation Event (TGE) and is gradually unlocked over three years, incentivizing sustained participation from project contributors. Similarly, the 14.5% allocated to investors (145 million EDGE) begins at 0% unlocked and follows a comparable linear vesting pattern through 2028, ensuring delayed access and long-term alignment. In contrast, the 16% airdrop allocation (160 million EDGE) is entirely unlocked at TGE, making it immediately available for eligible claimants. The treasury allocation, comprising 9.5% of the total supply (95 million EDGE), is also fully unlocked from the beginning, enabling the platform to access funds for operations, ecosystem support, and development without restriction. The remaining 33% of the supply (330 million EDGE) is categorized as “Untracked” in the schedule, with no defined vesting timeline.

Definitive’s Economic Design

Definitive Finance’s economic design centers around a non-custodial trading infrastructure that integrates advanced order types, liquidity aggregation, and gas abstraction to support efficient on-chain execution across multiple blockchain networks. The platform charges transaction fees automatically embedded in the trade output, avoiding manual fee management and simplifying the user experience. Users who stake EDGE tokens—Definitive’s native ERC-20 asset—receive immediate trading fee discounts based on their 30-day rolling volume, creating a direct incentive structure for continued platform use. The platform supports institutional operations through sub-accounts, automated reporting, pre-trade compliance checks, and order flow masking, which aligns with common requirements in professional trading environments. The fixed EDGE supply of 1 billion tokens is allocated across community rewards, airdrops, treasury, investors, and team reserves, with portions subject to lock-ups and vesting schedules.

Conclusion

Definitive is structured to replicate centralized exchange functionality within a decentralized, non-custodial environment. Its trading infrastructure includes advanced order types and cross-chain execution, supported by a liquidity engine that combines on-chain and off-chain sources. Gas abstraction and automated routing systems simplify transactions while maintaining user control over assets. The platform also includes institutional tools for compliance, order management, and reporting. Its native token, EDGE, is integrated into platform economics through staking-based fee reductions and access to advanced features. The supply of EDGE is fixed and distributed across stakeholders, including the team, investors, community, treasury, and airdrop participants, with defined lockups and vesting schedules to support long-term sustainability.