Smart Contracts
Intermediate
What is
Atomic Swap?
A trustless exchange of cryptocurrencies that either completes entirely or not at all.
Atomic swaps use cryptographic techniques (hash time-locked contracts) to enable trustless trading between parties. The 'atomic' property means the swap either executes completely for both parties or fails entirely - no partial execution. Ergo's eUTXO model makes atomic swaps natural and secure.
Key Points
- All-or-nothing execution
- No trusted third party needed
- Uses hash time-locked contracts
- Natural fit for eUTXO model
- Enables cross-chain trading
- No counterparty risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Atomic Swap
Common questions about this topic
What are NiPoPoWs and why do they matter?
NiPoPoWs (Non-Interactive Proofs of Proof-of-Work) are cryptographic proofs that compress blockchain history. Instead of downloading gigabytes of blocks, light clients can verify the chain with just kilobytes of data. This enables true trustless light wallets, efficient cross-chain bridges, and sidechains - all without trusting third parties.
Explainer
Technology
How to provide liquidity on Ergo?
Providing liquidity on Ergo depends on the current active DEX or AMM venue. In general, you deposit equal value of two assets into a pool, receive LP tokens representing your share, and earn a portion of trading fees. Spectrum Finance is historical/frozen since February 2024, so verify the active venue, contracts, liquidity depth, and withdrawal process before depositing funds.
How-to
DeFi
How to build DeFi on Ergo?
Building DeFi on Ergo starts with understanding the eUTXO model and ErgoScript. Unlike account-based chains, Ergo's box model provides deterministic execution, strong MEV-resistance, and predictable fee construction. Use Oracle Pools for price feeds, and study existing patterns from Spectrum Finance and SigmaUSD.
How-to
DeFi
How to get started with Ergo?
Start by getting a wallet (Nautilus for browser, Terminus for mobile). Back up your seed phrase securely offline. Get some ERG from a current exchange or verified venue, then make a small test transaction. After that, explore NFTs, mining, DeFi references, or the developer stack if you're a builder.
How-to
Getting Started