1inch has opened its Aqua liquidity protocol to users across 13 EVM-compatible chains. The launch follows the protocol's initial unveiling last year and a developer-only release eight months ago.
Aqua lets liquidity providers use the same wallet balance across multiple positions without splitting assets. Tokens remain in the provider's wallet until a matching swap executes. Co-founder Sergej Kunz explained that this design allows "tokens to stay in your wallet, under your control, while one balance backs multiple positions."
1inch gave an example of a $100,000 balance supporting three positions quoting a combined $300,000.
1inch also illustrated the mechanics with an alternative example: a $10,000 liquidity supporting $30,000 in positions. The public interface allows users to create positions across chains including Ethereum, Base, BNB Chain, Arbitrum, and Robinhood Chain.
Research commissioned by 1inch found that 85% of $1.84 billion tracked across major concentrated-liquidity exchanges was underutilized in the first half of 2026. Roughly $542 million sat fully outside active trading ranges in an average week, missing an estimated $150 million in annual fees.
Aqua underwent eight independent security audits by firms including OpenZeppelin, Nethermind, Hexens and Bailsec. However, liquidity providers face price movements, impermanent loss, and smart-contract risk.
The launch includes a liquidity incentive program distributed through Merkl, with the 1inch Foundation committing 10 million 1INCH and the 1inch DAO adding $500,000 in USDC over three months. At current prices, the token portion is worth roughly $870,000, putting the combined program around $1.37 million.
Aqua works as a registry rather than a pool. Every swap is executed by a "verified counterparty," defined as "a market maker or arbitrage bot that has been verified," with the check "enforced on-chain at swap time." 1inch calls Aqua the first risk-controlled liquidity venue and part of a shift toward "risk-controlled and regulated DeFi."
A front end had originally been slated for the first quarter. Aqua is built for "experienced users," with fees not guaranteed, prices can move against a position, and providers carry market and smart contract risk.
Aqua has the potential to transform how capital and yield strategies operate in DeFi.