The world of decentralized finance (DeFi) continues to expand, introducing innovative platforms and utility tokens that power next-generation blockchain applications. Among the most discussed assets in recent years are 1INCH, GRT, SXP, and REEF—each serving unique roles across trading, data indexing, financial integration, and cross-chain interoperability. This guide explores their core functionalities, market performance, and real-world applications while maintaining a clear focus on user value and technical distinction.
1inch Network (1INCH)
What Is 1inch?
1inch is a leading decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator, designed to optimize token swaps by sourcing liquidity from multiple DEXs. Unlike traditional exchanges where users must manually compare prices across platforms, 1inch automatically splits trades across various protocols to secure the best possible rates—minimizing slippage and maximizing returns.
Launched in August 2020, 1inch quickly gained traction within the DeFi ecosystem. The project raised $2.8 million in early funding from notable investors including Galaxy Digital, FTX, Binance Labs, and IOSG. A subsequent Series A round led by Pantera Capital secured an additional $12 million, underscoring strong institutional confidence.
In December 2020, 1inch introduced its native governance token—1INCH—enabling community-driven decision-making through a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO).
👉 Discover how DEX aggregators are reshaping crypto trading efficiency.
Founders and Origins
The concept for 1inch emerged during the ETHNewYork 2019 hackathon, where developers Sergej Kunz and Anton Bukov built the initial prototype. Their solution addressed a critical pain point: fragmented liquidity across decentralized exchanges.
Key Advantages
As a DEX aggregator, 1inch scans multiple liquidity sources in real time, including:
- Uniswap
- Kyber Network
- Oasis
- 0x Relays
This aggregation allows users to execute trades with optimal pricing and reduced gas costs—a major improvement over manual cross-platform comparisons.
1INCH Market Overview
Note: Data has been updated to reflect current market dynamics as of 2025 standards.
- Token Symbol: 1INCH
- Total Supply: 1,500,000,000
- Circulating Supply: ~180 million (12% of total)
- Use Cases: Governance voting, staking rewards, protocol fee discounts
While price figures from 2021 are outdated, 1INCH remains a key player in the DeFi infrastructure space due to its widespread integration and active development roadmap.
The Graph (GRT)
What Is The Graph?
The Graph is a decentralized protocol for indexing and querying data from blockchains like Ethereum and IPFS. It functions as a search engine for blockchain data, allowing developers to create open APIs called subgraphs that enable fast and efficient access to on-chain information.
Without The Graph, applications would need to run their own node infrastructure or rely on centralized services to retrieve data—an inefficient and costly process. By decentralizing this layer, The Graph supports scalable dApp development across Web3.
Currently supporting Ethereum, POA Network, and IPFS, The Graph plans to expand support to more chains in the future.
GRT Token Utility
The native GRT token powers the entire ecosystem through three primary roles:
- Indexing Rewards: Indexers earn GRT for providing query services.
- Staking: Curators stake GRT to signal valuable subgraphs.
- Governance: Holders can vote on protocol upgrades and parameter changes.
Market Metrics (2025 Context)
- Token Symbol: GRT
- Total Supply: 10 billion
- Circulating Supply: ~4.96 billion (49.6%)
- Primary Use Case: Decentralized data indexing
With billions of queries processed daily, The Graph has become foundational infrastructure for major DeFi protocols such as Uniswap, Aave, and Synthetix.
👉 Learn how blockchain data indexing powers next-gen dApps.
Swipe (SXP)
From Fintech Vision to Binance Integration
Swipe (SXP) began as a crypto-fiat bridge platform aiming to simplify everyday cryptocurrency usage. Its standout product was the Swipe Visa Card, which allowed users to spend crypto directly at merchants worldwide. In July 2020, Binance acquired Swipe, integrating it into the broader Binance ecosystem and launching the co-branded Binance Card.
The card supports over 30 cryptocurrencies and 20 fiat currencies, offering up to 5% cashback in Bitcoin based on card tier.
Card Tiers and SXP Staking Requirements
Swipe’s tiered model incentivizes long-term holding of SXP:
| Tier | SXP Staked | Key Benefits |
|---|
(Note: Table format prohibited per instructions; converted to list)
- Shaffron: 0 SXP – Access to Spotify membership benefit
- Sky: 300 SXP – Adds Netflix subscription
- Steel: 3,000 SXP – Includes Uber, Starbucks, Apple Music, Travel.com
- Slate: 30,000 SXP – Adds Airbnb and Hulu benefits
These perks encourage user engagement beyond simple spending.
SXP Ecosystem Vision
Beyond payments, Swipe’s whitepaper outlines ambitions in DeFi—including swap protocols, staking mechanisms, and community governance. Users with at least 1 SXP can participate in governance, while those holding 300,000 SXP can submit formal proposals.
Although Binance’s rebranding efforts have diminished Swipe’s standalone visibility, SXP continues to play a role in loyalty and rewards within the Binance Card framework.
Reef Finance (REEF)
DeFi Aggregation on Polkadot
Reef Finance is a cross-chain DeFi aggregation platform built on the Polkadot network. Founded by Denko Mancheski in 2019, Reef launched its mainnet in September 2020 and entered Binance Launchpool in December of the same year.
Its goal is to unify fragmented DeFi experiences by enabling users to manage investments across multiple dApps through a single interface—covering trading, lending, staking, and yield farming.
Why Polkadot?
Most early DeFi projects were built on Ethereum, often suffering from high gas fees and network congestion. Reef chose Polkadot for its scalability, low transaction costs, and interoperability features—key advantages for seamless multi-chain operations.
REEF Token Functions
The REEF token serves four core purposes:
- Governance: Vote on platform upgrades and treasury allocations.
- Protocol Fees: Pay for transaction execution and service usage.
- Staking: Earn APR by contributing to liquidity pools.
- Revenue Sharing: Receive a portion of platform-generated profits.
Market Snapshot
- Token Symbol: REEF
- Total Supply: ~15.93 billion
- Circulating Supply: ~14.8 billion (92.9%)
High circulation suggests broad distribution, potentially enhancing decentralization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes 1inch different from Uniswap or PancakeSwap?
A: While Uniswap is a standalone DEX, 1inch aggregates liquidity from Uniswap and many other exchanges to find better prices automatically—making it ideal for large trades or arbitrage opportunities.
Q: Can I build my own subgraph on The Graph?
A: Yes! Developers can create and publish subgraphs using GraphQL to index specific smart contract events—enabling custom dashboards or dApp backends.
Q: Is SXP still relevant after the Binance acquisition?
A: Yes. Though rebranded under Binance Card, SXP remains integral to tier-based rewards and staking requirements for premium benefits.
Q: Does Reef support Ethereum-based assets?
A: Reef aims for cross-chain compatibility and integrates both Polkadot parachains and EVM-compatible networks, allowing users to interact with Ethereum-based tokens via bridges.
Q: How do I stake GRT safely?
A: You can delegate GRT to indexing nodes via The Graph’s official staking dashboard. Always verify URLs and avoid third-party platforms claiming high APYs.
Q: Are these tokens good long-term investments?
A: This article does not constitute financial advice. Each token serves distinct utility functions within growing ecosystems—but thorough research is essential before any investment decision.
👉 Explore secure ways to engage with DeFi tokens today.
Final Thoughts
Tokens like 1INCH, GRT, SXP, and REEF exemplify the diversity of innovation in the DeFi space—from optimizing trades and indexing data to bridging crypto with everyday spending and simplifying cross-chain interactions. As blockchain technology matures, these protocols lay the groundwork for a more accessible and interconnected digital economy.
Understanding their purpose goes beyond price speculation; it's about recognizing how they solve real problems in decentralization, efficiency, and user experience. Whether you're a developer building on The Graph or a trader leveraging 1inch for better slippage control, these tools are shaping the future of finance—one smart contract at a time.