Overview

Synthetic assets are digital representations of real-world assets that allow users to gain exposure to their price movements without holding the underlying assets themselves. These assets are collateralized by stakers through the Synthetix Network Token (SNX), which, when locked in a staking contract, enables the issuance of synthetic assets (called synths). This system uses a pooled collateral model, allowing for direct conversions between synths via smart contracts, eliminating the need for counterparties and solving liquidity and slippage issues often faced by decentralized exchanges (DEXs). The Synthetix protocol powers a wide range of decentralized financial instruments like perpetual futures and spot synths, enabling seamless trading, hedging, and investing in various markets.

Whitepaper & Documents