Amber Group Leads $175M Series B Round in DEX Aggregator 1inch

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The decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with institutional interest reaching new heights. In a landmark development, 1inch Network—one of the most prominent decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregators—has successfully closed a $175 million Series B funding round led by Amber Group, signaling growing confidence in DeFi infrastructure from traditional financial players.

This significant capital infusion underscores the expanding bridge between conventional finance and blockchain-based ecosystems. The round attracted approximately 50 institutional investors, including Jane Street, VanEck, Fenbushi Capital, Alameda Research, Celsius, Nexo, Tribe Capital, and Gemini Frontier Fund—names that represent both crypto-native firms and Wall Street-affiliated entities.

What Is 1inch and How Does It Work?

At its core, 1inch is a DeFi protocol designed to optimize token swaps across multiple decentralized exchanges. Instead of relying on a single liquidity pool—which can result in slippage and suboptimal pricing—the platform aggregates liquidity from various DEXs such as Uniswap, SushiSwap, and Curve. By splitting trades across multiple venues, 1inch ensures users receive the best possible execution price with minimal fees and maximum efficiency.

This smart routing mechanism has made 1inch a go-to solution for both retail traders and sophisticated investors seeking optimal trade outcomes in the volatile cryptocurrency market.

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Strategic Funding Surge: From $70M Target to $175M Close

Initially aiming to raise $70 million, 1inch saw overwhelming demand from institutional backers, prompting the team to increase the target more than double. The final $175 million reflects not only strong investor sentiment but also a strategic shift toward institutional adoption within DeFi.

Sergej Kunz, co-founder of 1inch Network, emphasized this transition:

“The next $1 trillion of assets entering DeFi will come from institutions rather than retail users, and 1inch would like to facilitate entry for them.”

To support this vision, the team has already begun integrating key talent from traditional finance markets—a move expected to accelerate over the coming years.

Introducing 1inch Pro: A Gateway for Institutions

One of the primary use cases for the newly raised capital is the development of 1inch Pro, a secure, scalable platform tailored specifically for institutional investors in the U.S. and Europe. Unlike the public-facing version of 1inch, this new service will operate under a permissioned framework that complies with enterprise-grade security standards and local regulatory requirements.

Kunz explained:

“The mission is to provide access for institutions to a separate and permissioned 1inch Pro service that will deploy the compliance protocol designed to meet both enterprise-grade requirements for accessing DeFi and local laws and regulations where it operates.”

By offering a compliant gateway into DeFi, 1inch aims to lower barriers for hedge funds, asset managers, and fintech institutions looking to diversify into digital assets without compromising on regulatory adherence or operational security.

Expanding Token Utility: 1INCH as an Insurance Mechanism

Beyond infrastructure development, part of the funding will be allocated to enhance the utility of the native 1INCH governance token. In Q1 2022, 1inch launched a protocol allowing users to stake their 1INCH tokens as insurance coverage against potential protocol losses.

Here’s how it works:

Such innovations reinforce the long-term value proposition of holding and participating with the 1INCH token beyond simple governance voting rights.

Transitioning Toward Full Decentralization via DAO

A critical pillar of 1inch’s long-term roadmap is its ongoing transition to a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). This shift aims to fully decentralize control over both the network’s protocols and the 1INCH token itself.

Once complete, decision-making power—including treasury management, feature upgrades, and partnership approvals—will reside entirely with the community of token holders. According to the team, expanding participation in the DAO will make governance more democratic, ensuring every vote carries weight regardless of stake size.

This move aligns with broader trends in Web3, where user ownership and decentralized control are becoming foundational principles.

Scaling Operations: Doubling the Global Team

Currently composed of over 70 professionals spread across multiple continents, 1inch plans to at least double its workforce in the coming years. The expansion will focus on engineering, compliance, product development, and institutional relations—areas crucial for supporting global growth and regulatory alignment.

With operations spanning time zones and jurisdictions, 1inch is positioning itself as a truly international player in the DeFi space.

Who Is Amber Group?

Amber Group, the lead investor in this round, is a premier global crypto-financial services firm founded in 2017. With offices in Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, and Vancouver, it operates 24/7 across more than 100 electronic exchanges. The company serves over 800 institutional clients and manages over $4 billion in assets, having facilitated more than $800 billion in cumulative trading volume.

Having achieved unicorn status in 2021 after its own $100 million Series B raise, Amber Group brings not just capital but deep market-making expertise and institutional connectivity—strategic advantages for 1inch as it scales.

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FAQ: Your Questions About 1inch and the Series B Round – Answered

Q: What is a DEX aggregator?
A: A DEX aggregator scans multiple decentralized exchanges to find the best available prices for token swaps. It improves trade efficiency by splitting orders across platforms, reducing slippage and maximizing returns.

Q: Why did 1inch raise $175 million instead of the initial $70 million goal?
A: Due to strong demand from institutional investors who see strategic value in DeFi infrastructure, 1inch increased its funding target to accommodate broader participation and accelerate development plans.

Q: What is 1inch Pro?
A: 1inch Pro is a permissioned version of the 1inch platform built specifically for institutional investors. It includes compliance protocols to meet regulatory standards in regions like the U.S. and Europe.

Q: How does staking 1INCH tokens provide insurance?
A: Users stake 1INCH to backstop potential losses in the protocol. In exchange for taking on risk, they earn a portion of the fees generated by the system—a model that incentivizes security and participation.

Q: Is 1inch fully decentralized now?
A: Not yet. The network is transitioning toward full decentralization through its DAO initiative. Once complete, governance will be entirely community-driven.

Q: Will retail users still be supported as 1inch targets institutions?
A: Absolutely. While institutional access is expanding via 1inch Pro, the core platform remains open and optimized for retail traders worldwide.

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Core Keywords

With robust funding, clear product vision, and a growing emphasis on compliance and decentralization, 1inch is poised to play a pivotal role in bringing institutional capital into DeFi—ushering in a new era of open, efficient, and globally accessible finance.