1inch pivot to DeFi infrastructure is a strategic shift from a consumer-facing DEX aggregator to an API-first provider that enables centralized exchanges and wallets to route trades to decentralized exchanges. Sergej Kunz says this transition could unfold over five to ten years as CEXs adopt non‑custodial on‑chain routing.
-
1inch repositions as a DeFi infrastructure provider to power DEX liquidity for exchanges and wallets
-
Centralized exchanges are increasingly integrating on‑chain systems and APIs to offer non‑custodial swaps to users
-
1inch’s API integrations now account for most business volume; recent cross‑chain and routing upgrades claim improved swap rates
1inch pivot to DeFi infrastructure: 1inch shifts from exchange frontend to API-based DeFi provider, enabling DEX access for major platforms. Read expert insights and timeline.
What is the 1inch pivot to DeFi infrastructure?
1inch pivot to DeFi infrastructure is the company’s move from a consumer-facing aggregator to a developer-focused, API-first provider that supplies on‑chain routing, liquidity aggregation and cross‑chain swap tools to exchanges and wallet vendors. The change emphasizes integrations over the platform’s own front end.
How will centralized exchanges change as a result?
According to 1inch co‑founder Sergej Kunz, centralized exchanges will progressively adopt on‑chain routing and non‑custodial swap capabilities and may act primarily as frontends to decentralized liquidity. Kunz forecasted a five‑ to ten‑year transition window, noting that integrations with services such as Coinbase (plain text mention) signal the trend.
Sergej Kunz at Token2049. Source: Cointelegraph
Why is 1inch focusing on API integrations?
1inch consolidated products into a single API to provide unified access to liquidity and routing logic for businesses. This approach reflects a shift: most platform volume now comes from API integrations, not direct user swaps, enabling exchanges, wallets and custodial services to embed DEX access without building on‑chain infrastructure themselves.
What recent technical updates support this strategy?
Recent technical moves include intent‑based cross‑chain swaps linking Solana and EVM networks and an updated route discovery algorithm claiming up to 6.5% better swap execution in some cases. The protocol also extended self‑custody cross‑chain swap features and other MEV protection mechanisms to improve trade quality for integrators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon will exchanges act as DEX frontends?
Experts at Token2049 and 1inch leadership suggest a gradual shift. Expect phased adoption over five to ten years as exchanges deploy on‑chain integrations and partner with liquidity aggregators.
Can users expect better rates through API‑based routing?
Yes. 1inch’s route discovery updates and aggregated liquidity pools are designed to deliver improved execution; the team reported algorithmic upgrades claiming up to 6.5% better swap rates in targeted scenarios.
Key Takeaways
- Strategic shift: 1inch has repositioned from a consumer aggregator to an API‑first DeFi infrastructure provider.
- Industry signal: Integrations with institutional platforms indicate growing market demand for non‑custodial DEX routing.
- Actionable insight: Exchanges and wallets should evaluate API integrations and MEV protections to offer competitive swap execution.
Conclusion
The 1inch pivot to DeFi infrastructure reflects a broader industry movement toward integrating decentralized liquidity into centralized user experiences. With API consolidation, cross‑chain features and routing improvements, 1inch aims to become the plumbing for future exchange frontends. Watch for continued API adoption and technical refinements over the next five to ten years.
Published: 2025-10-02 | Updated: 2025-10-02 | Author: COINOTAG
