1inch Launches Shared Liquidity Layer 'Aqua' Across Multiple Chains
On July 28, 2026, decentralized exchange aggregator 1inch launched its shared liquidity layer Aqua to the public after an initial developer-only release in November. The protocol is now live on 13 EVM-compatible chains including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, BNB Chain, and Robinhood Chain. Aqua operates as a registry-based system rather than traditional liquidity pools. Liquidity providers approve token balances for positions without depositing tokens into contracts; swaps execute atomically using verified counterparties like market makers or arbitrage bots. The platform emphasizes risk control by ensuring that only actual wallet holdings are used in trades, limiting exposure and reducing the potential for fee skimming attacks. 1inch has committed 10 million 1INCH tokens plus 500,000 USDC from its DAO to incentivize liquidity providers during Aqua’s launch. The product is designed for experienced users due to market risks such as price slippage and smart contract vulnerabilities.
Topics: 1inch Aqua DeFi innovation liquidity layer