N1, a Layer 1 blockchain network supported by Founders Fund, has entered into an agreement to acquire 01 Exchange, a decentralized derivatives platform originally built within its ecosystem. The acquisition, structured entirely in equity and tokens, is expected to close within six months, with operational integration beginning immediately.
01 Exchange has processed over $3 billion in trading volume and attracted more than 25,000 users since its incubation within the N1 network. Under the deal, the exchange's application layer, trading product, market structure expertise, and user community will become part of N1's broader network strategy.
Vertically Integrated Network Strategy
The acquisition reflects N1's push to bring key ecosystem components under direct ownership rather than relying solely on independent third-party applications. By integrating infrastructure, liquidity, and its flagship trading application, N1 aims to align product development, distribution, and network economics while reducing fragmentation.
“01 Exchange has already shown what is possible on N1, and bringing it into the network lets us move faster, deepen liquidity, and deliver a more integrated trading experience,” said Dima Romanov, CEO and co-founder of N1. “With N1 2.0, our next version, we’re expanding that foundation across RFQ markets, vaults, equities, mobile, and other on-chain financial products. We believe vertically integrated networks will define the next generation of exchanges, and N1 is being built to lead that shift.”
This move comes as competition among blockchain networks intensifies to attract developers, users, and liquidity. For context, other networks are also evolving their tokenomics and infrastructure — for example, Berachain Retires BGT, Launches PoL Next Upgrade Targeting Up to 3× Higher Staking APRs.
N1 2.0 to Expand On-Chain Financial Products
The acquisition precedes the planned launch of N1 2.0, the next major version of the blockchain network. According to the company, the upgrade will introduce deeper liquidity, request-for-quote (RFQ) markets, vaults, equities, and additional on-chain financial products. N1 also plans to expand access through native mobile applications for both iOS and Android, allowing users to trade via dedicated mobile platforms.
These additions are intended to broaden the range of financial services available on the network while supporting increased user participation. The company said existing 01 Exchange users will not need to migrate their assets as part of the integration. The exchange will continue operating under the N1 brand, with the upgraded version deployed without requiring users to move funds or accounts. Points earned before the N1 launch will continue to be recognized.
Founded as a Layer 1 blockchain focused on scalability and low-latency performance, N1’s network is designed to support next-generation crypto applications through horizontal scalability, sub-millisecond latency, and high throughput. The acquisition and upcoming upgrade position N1 to compete more directly with other platforms seeking to dominate the on-chain finance space. In a related development, Orbs Debuts Perpetual Hub Ultra 2.0, Unifying Infrastructure for White-Label Futures Exchanges.
As the crypto derivatives market continues to mature, vertically integrated networks like N1 may offer a more cohesive user experience, potentially attracting both retail and institutional participants. The company’s focus on integrating liquidity and application layers could reduce friction and improve capital efficiency for traders.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
