Purchase Synthetix Network Token (SNX) with Australian Dollar (AUD) easily at Switchere and benefit from fast, secure transactions.
Synthetix (SNX) is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol built on the Ethereum blockchain, with increasing integration on Layer 2 solutions like Optimism, designed to facilitate the issuance and trading of synthetic assets, known as Synths. This innovative platform allows users to gain on-chain exposure to a diverse range of real-world assets, including fiat currencies (like sUSD), commodities, indices, and other digital assets, without needing to hold the underlying asset directly. The core mechanism involves staking the native SNX token as collateral within a pooled collateral model. This staking process secures the network and enables the minting of Synths, which track the price of their real-world counterparts through decentralized oracle price feeds.
The SNX token is central to the Synthetix ecosystem's tokenomics. Its primary utility is staking, where SNX holders lock up their tokens to mint Synths and collateralize the global debt pool. In return for providing this crucial collateral and stabilizing the system, stakers earn rewards, which are generated from exchange fees paid by traders on the Synthetix.exchange platform (and other frontends like Kwenta) and, historically, through inflationary monetary policy. SNX also plays a role in the protocol's governance, allowing token holders to participate in decisions regarding upgrades and parameter changes. Synthetix stands as a pioneering DeFi protocol, significantly contributing to the on-chain derivatives market and offering unique financial instruments within the broader blockchain technology landscape.
To purchase SNX with AUD, you typically use an Australian cryptocurrency exchange that acts as a fiat on-ramp. These platforms require KYC/AML compliance under AUSTRAC regulations. Common payment methods include direct bank transfers, BPAY, and PayID, which offer a straightforward way to fund your account and execute a digital asset purchase on the SNX/AUD order book.
Acquiring SNX with AUD is the first step to participating in the Synthetix ecosystem. Once you hold SNX, you can stake it on a Layer-2 solution like Optimistic Ethereum to mint sUSD, the protocol's native stablecoin. With sUSD, you can then use platforms like Kwenta to trade a wide variety of Synths that track real-world assets, all without leaving the blockchain, thereby gaining exposure to different markets via decentralized finance.
Synthetix has primarily migrated its protocol to Optimistic Ethereum, a Layer-2 (L2) scaling solution. For SNX holders, this means that staking, claiming rewards, and minting Synths occur on L2. This results in significantly lower gas fees and near-instantaneous blockchain transaction confirmations compared to performing these actions on the Ethereum mainnet, making active participation in the protocol more cost-effective and efficient.
The Synthetix Network Token (SNX) serves as the primary collateral within its derivatives liquidity protocol. Users stake their SNX tokens to mint synthetic assets, known as Synths (e.g., sUSD, sBTC, sETH). This staked SNX collateralizes the entire debt pool, enabling a peer-to-contract (P2C) trading model and providing the deep liquidity necessary for the creation and exchange of these on-chain derivatives.
After buying SNX, secure it in a non-custodial digital wallet, preferably a hardware wallet. When staking, the main risk is liquidation. You must actively manage your Collateralisation Ratio (C-Ratio) to keep it above the protocol's target. If your C-Ratio falls too low due to debt fluctuations or SNX price changes, your staked SNX could be liquidated. Always interact with official Synthetix dApps to avoid phishing scams.
Stakers of SNX are entitled to two primary types of rewards. First, they receive inflationary staking rewards, which are newly minted SNX distributed weekly to stakers who maintain a target C-Ratio. Second, they earn a pro-rata share of the trading fees generated by the Synthetix exchange. These fees are paid in sUSD, providing stakers with a stablecoin yield in addition to their SNX rewards, incentivizing them to collateralize the shared debt pool.