Project Overview

As a web3 enthusiast who's seen countless protocols come and go, I have to say Variational caught my eye right away. Built on the efficient Arbitrum network, this next-gen decentralized P2P derivatives platform is redefining how we handle complex trades in the crypto space.

Picture this: a flexible pricing and settlement system that seamlessly automates the entire journey—from perpetuals and options to basis trades—making it easier than ever for users to dive in without the usual headaches.

The star of the show is Omni, their flagship app zeroed in on retail perpetuals. By pooling liquidity through the clever OLP (Omni Liquidity Provider) mechanism, it merges the best of centralized and decentralized exchanges, unlocking trading access to more than 500 niche assets that often fly under the radar.

What really makes Variational shine is its bold zero-fee approach. Forget those pesky maker or taker charges; instead, it smartly captures value via direct peer spreads and liquidity boosts. This setup slashes costs for high-frequency traders, opening the doors wide for more players to join the action.

 

The Team Behind It

Variational was launched by Columbia University grads with serious quant chops, bringing fresh ideas to the derivatives game.

Leading the charge are CEO Lucas V. Schuermann and Co-founder Edward Yu. These two previously built Qu Capital from the ground up—later snapped up by Genesis Trading—where they also took on pivotal roles in tech and quant strategy at Genesis.

The engineering squad is no slouch either, with core members averaging over a decade in distributed systems. They've pulled talent from heavy hitters like Goldman Sachs, Google, Meta, and Tether, blending quant expertise with battle-tested engineering know-how.

 

Funding Highlights

With $11.8 million raised so far, Variational has earned nods from crypto's elite investors, signaling big potential in the derivatives arena.

The seed round pulled in $10.3 million, spearheaded by Bain Capital Crypto and Peak XV Partners (once known as Sequoia India), alongside backers like Coinbase Ventures, Dragonfly Capital, and Hack VC.

A follow-on strategic round added $1.5 million from the likes of Mirana Ventures, Caladan, Zoku Ventures, and Brevan Howard.

This powerhouse investor mix—spanning major exchanges, quant funds, and Valley VCs—gives Variational the firepower to shape derivatives standards and push boundaries globally. It's the kind of support that makes you optimistic about their long-term impact.

 

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Variational User Guide: How to Earn Points

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