Log in

🎊 Cryptonary New Year Sale! 50% OFF. Save $500 Now Only ⏰ : 0d 4h 19m 22s

Simply Explained

Simply Explained: Perpetual Protocol (PERP)

Updated: Aug 5, 2024
Published: Feb 15, 2023
0
Share:

Perpetual Protocol is a decentralised exchange (DEX) for futures.

Post Feature Image

It’s an interesting perps platform that was the reigning champion until dYdX launched on Layer 2, allowing it to dominate the market.

We discussed Perpetual Protocol in our futures article and in our The Next DYDX | A High-Risk, High-Reward Opportunity.

So, let’s dive in!

What are perpetual futures?

Futures are a type of derivative. Derivatives are complex financial instruments whose value is derived from an underlying asset. For example, crude oil is a commodity and the underlying asset. Crude oil futures are financial contracts that derive their value from the underlying asset (crude oil) that people trade. You can’t easily trade oil itself, but you can trade its derivative. 

A traditional future is an agreement to purchase an asset, such as gold (or Bitcoin), for a fixed price at a set point in the future.

Unlike traditional futures, Perpetual Futures or perps for short, don’t have a settlement date (they are perpetual) and are cash settled, rather than requiring physical delivery of the asset.  

Perps give traders access to huge leverage and the ability to go long (buy) or short (sell), which was previously very challenging for the everyday investor. Right now, Perpetual Protocol offers up to 10X leverage. This means your buying power is 10 times the collateral you deposit. For example, if you deposit $100, your buying power will be $1000.

How does Perpetual Protocol work?

Perpetual Protocol allows users to trade perpetual futures. It offers up to 10X leverage on a range of assets like BTC, ETH, SOL, BNB and 13 more.

The platform uses a virtual Automated Market Maker (vAMM) model. This uses a mathematical function to determine the prices of assets. 

Who are the founders of Perpetual Protocol?

Perpetual Protocol was created by Taiwanese crypto entrepreneurs Shao-Kang Lee and Yenfen Weng in 2019. It was first launched on mainnet in 2020.

DeFi legos

Perpetual Protocol embodies the ‘DeFi legos’ ethos by building upon other DeFi protocols, and allowing other projects to build on its own product. Learn more about the Perpetual Protocol ecosystem and its partnerships here.

PERP token

PERP is the native token of Perpetual Protocol. 

The PERP token is a utility and governance token used by holders to vote on ecosystem updates and development proposals. Learn more about how PERP governance works here.

Investors who stake in PERP can earn 15% of the protocol’s revenue. This is possible thanks to the launch of vePERP (vote-escrowed PERP), which means the token is locked up for between a week and a year. When locked, holders get voting rights in governance decisions and a share of the fees and PERP rewards. Stakers are currently earning 30-50% APY.

Our Top Picks:

DOGWIFHAT

DOGWIFHAT

120,650%

SPX6900

SPX6900

17,000%

POPCAT

POPCAT

66,567%

PENDLE

PENDLE

5,002%

SOLANA

SOLANA

2,500%

HYPE

HYPE

1,740%

Don’t miss our next 100X

Trusted by 230K+ investors

Tokenomics

The total supply of PERP is 150 million. The current circulating supply is 68.7 million, with the token distribution as follows:
  • 54.8% allocated to ecosystem and rewards 
  • 21% allocated to team and advisors
  • 15% allocated to strategic investors
  • 4.2% allocated to seed investors
  • 5% allocated to Balancer Liquidity Bootstrapping Pool (LBP)

Where can you buy PERP?

PERP can be purchased on Binance, Kraken, Uniswap and more.

How to trade on Perpetual Protocol 

To trade on Perpetual Protocol, you need an Ethereum-compatible wallet like MetaMask and USDC tokens for collateral. For more details on how it works, click here. You can also trade through Optimism.

For Cryptonary’s transparent opinion on Perpetual Protocol, check out our Rating Guide here and our research report, The Next DYDX | A High-Risk, High-Reward Opportunity.

Disclaimer: Not financial nor investment advice. Any capital-related decisions you make are your full responsibility and yours only.

Continue reading by joining Cryptonary Pro

Save 50%

$997 $497/year

Get everything you need to actively manage your portfolio and stay ahead. Ideal for investors seeking regular guidance and access to tools that help make informed decisions.

VisaCardImageMsCardImageCoinbaseCardImageSolanaCardImage

For your security, all orders are processed on a secured server.

As a Cryptonary Pro subscriber, you also get:

  • 3X Value Guarantee - If cumulative documented upside does not reach 300% during your 12-month membership, you can request a full refund.

  • 24/7 access to experts with 50+ years’ experience

  • All of our top token picks for 2025

  • On hand technical analysis on any token of your choice

  • Weekly livestreams & ask us anything with the team

  • Daily insights on Macro, Mechanics, and On-chain

  • Curated list of top upcoming airdrops (free money)

3X Value Guarantee

If cumulative documented upside does not reach 300% during your 12-month membership, you can request a full refund.

Terms & Conditions apply

Star

Trusted by 300,000+ investors

Our track record speaks for itself

With over 2.4M tokens and widespread misinformation in crypto, we cut through the noise and consistently find winning assets.

Our track record speaks for itself

With over 2.4M tokens and widespread misinformation in crypto, we cut
through the noise and consistently find winning assets.

/images/advertorial/corpcomm3.webp
/images/advertorial/corpcomm4.webp
/images/advertorial/corpcomm5.webp

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We've consistently identified winners across multiple cycles. Bitcoin under $1,000, Ethereum under $70, Solana under $10, WIF from $0.003 to $5, PopCat from $0.004 to $2, SPX blasting past $1.70, and our latest pick has already 200X'd since June 2025. Everything is timestamped and public record.

No. When we founded Cryptonary in 2017 the market was new to everyone. We intentionally created content that was easy to understand and actionable. That foundational principle is the crux of Cryptonary. Taking complex ideas and opportunities and presenting them in a way a 10 year old could understand.

Signal vs noise. We filter out 99.9% of garbage projects, provide data backed analysis, and have a proven track record of finding winners. Not to mention since Cryptonary's inception in 2017 we have never taken investment, sponsorship or partnership. Compare this to pretty much everyone else, no track record, and a long list of partnerships that cloud judgements.

We share highly sensitive, time-critical research. Once it's out, it can't be "returned." That's why membership is annual only. Crypto success takes time and commitment. If someone is not willing to invest 12 months into their future, there is no place for them at Cryptonary.

Yes. You will have 24/7 to the team that bought you BTC at $1,000, ETH at $70, and SOL at $10. Through our community chats, live Q&As, and member only channels, you can ask questions and interact directly with the team. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience which you can tap into every single day.

Daily. We provide real-time updates, weekly reports, emergency alerts, and live Q&As when the markets move fast. In crypto, the market moves fast, in Cryptonary, we move faster.

We stand behind the value of our research. If the documented upside from our published research during your 12-month membership does not exceed three times (3X) the annual subscription cost, you can request a full refund. Historical context: In every completed market cycle since 2017, cumulative documented upside has exceeded 10X this threshold.

Recommended from Cryptonary
Yield Watch: Safest Passive Income Ranges For 2026
PRO
Yield farming
Yield Watch: Safest Passive Income ...As Christmas approaches and the year comes to a close, markets are entering a quieter, less volatile...
4 min read
Dec 24, 2025
BTC, ETH and More: Markets Remain Range Bound
PRO
Market Direction
BTC, ETH and More: Markets Remain R...Momentum is slowing as markets push into year-end, with repeated rejections keeping price locked in ...
10 min read
Dec 23, 2025
Market Update: How Low Can BTC Go?
PRO
Market Updates
Market Update: How Low Can BTC Go?While US jobs and inflation are clearly cooling, bond markets and central banks are sending a more c...
9 min read
Dec 19, 2025