Lighter (LIT1) is a decentralised exchange built on Ethereum that focuses on high-performance perpetual futures trading. It uses zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup technology to combine the speed and responsiveness of a centralised exchange with the transparency, security, and self-custody of on-chain systems.
Rather than relying on a central operator, Lighter verifies core trading actions such as order matching, liquidations, and balance updates using cryptographic proofs. This allows users to maintain control of their funds while benefiting from fast execution, low fees, and trust-minimised settlement.
Lighter operates as a ZK-rollup layered on top of Ethereum. Most computation happens off-chain for efficiency, while zero-knowledge proofs are generated to prove that all trading activity and state changes are correct.
These proofs are batched and submitted to Ethereum, where smart contracts verify them and finalise the updated state. User funds are secured by Ethereum smart contracts, which act as the system’s trust anchor. Ethereum provides consensus and settlement, while the rollup architecture enables scalability and low latency.
Lighter is primarily designed for decentralised perpetual futures trading, offering high throughput, low fees, and fully verifiable order execution and liquidations. Its performance makes it appealing to active traders, algorithmic strategies, and DeFi-native institutions seeking on-chain guarantees without relying on centralised exchanges.
Beyond trading, Lighter’s ZK-verified infrastructure could support on-chain risk management systems, DAO-governed financial markets, and automated trading platforms. The underlying theme is provable fairness at scale.
Lighter gained traction around 2024–2025 alongside the broader adoption of zero-knowledge rollups within Ethereum DeFi. The project differentiated itself by focusing on zk-powered order matching and decentralised risk controls rather than simple token swaps.
Key milestones include the implementation of ZK-verified trading logic, liquidation systems, and scalability stress tests. While public information about the founding team remains limited, development continues to improve ZK circuit efficiency and expand interoperability across Layer-2 ecosystems.