GRVT Review — Summary
This is our independent GRVT Review (2026). Can a DEX really pay you to trade with negative maker fees? Is zkSync's zero-knowledge privacy worth the complexity? And should you farm the Q1 2026 airdrop?
What if you could trade perps with CEX speed but keep your positions private? GRVT (pronounced "gravity") is betting that's the killer feature.
The verdict: GRVT is a hybrid perpetuals DEX built on zkSync's ZK Stack, combining off-chain orderbook matching with on-chain settlement. The standout features: negative maker fees (you earn money providing liquidity), sub-millisecond execution, and zero-knowledge privacy that hides your positions from other traders. It's the most technically sophisticated perp DEX we've reviewed.
Backed by a $19 million Series A (September 2025) co-led by ZKsync and Galaxy, plus earlier investments from Coinbase Ventures and other top VCs, GRVT is positioning itself as the institutional-grade alternative to Hyperliquid (and competing with dYdX for institutional traders). The privacy angle is compelling — no more getting hunted by whale watchers or MEV bots.
Who it's for: Privacy-conscious traders tired of getting front-run. Market makers who want to earn rebates. Anyone who cares about Ethereum-level security with CEX-level speed.
Who should skip it: Volume chasers — Hyperliquid still dominates there. Traders who don't care about privacy. Anyone allergic to zkSync's learning curve. For another privacy-focused perp DEX alternative on Starknet, see our Paradex Review.
The Q1 2026 TGE could change everything. If you're farming, now's the time.
GRVT Review — How It Works
GRVT's architecture solves the perpetual DEX trilemma: speed, security, and privacy. Here's how:
Zero-Knowledge Privacy
Every trade on GRVT is validated using ZK proofs without revealing:
- Your position size
- Your entry and exit prices
- Your liquidation levels
- Your PnL
This matters because on most DEXs, whales can see your liquidation price and hunt your stop losses. On GRVT, that information stays encrypted.
Hybrid Execution
- Order Matching: Happens off-chain at sub-millisecond speeds
- Settlement: On-chain via zkSync Validium
- Custody: Self-custodial — your funds, your keys
Technical Specs
- TVL: ~$48M (DefiLlama)
- Throughput: 600,000 trades per second
- Latency: Under 2 milliseconds
- Gas: GRVT covers gas fees for users
- Security: ZK proofs mathematically guarantee validity
The zkSync Validium architecture validates L2 states without publishing data publicly, achieving both scalability and privacy.
For more perp DEX options, see our GMX Review.
GRVT Review — Fees
GRVT's fee structure is unique — makers actually earn money:
| Fee Type | GRVT | Hyperliquid | dYdX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maker Fee | -0.01% (rebate) | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Taker Fee | 0.02-0.05% | 0.025% | 0.05% |
| Gas | $0 (covered) | ~$0 | ~$0 |
| Withdrawal | Free | Free | Free |
On a $100,000 trade (maker):
- GRVT: +$10 (you earn!)
- Hyperliquid: -$10
- dYdX: -$20
The negative maker fee is subsidized by taker fees and VC funding. It's designed to bootstrap liquidity.
GRVT Review — Security
Audit Status
- zkSync Validium: Battle-tested infrastructure from zkSync
- Self-custody: Users maintain control of funds at all times
- ZK proofs: Mathematical guarantees for all state transitions
Risk Assessment
- Smart contract risk: Low (inherits zkSync security)
- Validium trust: Medium (off-chain data availability requires operator trust)
- Track record: Clean — no exploits since late 2024 launch
Our Security Rating: 4.2/5 — Strong zkSync foundation and ZK-proof guarantees, but Validium model requires some trust in data availability operators.
GRVT Review — Yield & Features
Beyond trading, GRVT offers passive income opportunities:
GLP Strategy (10% APY)
Deposit USDC into GRVT's GLP vault and earn approximately 10% annual yield. The vault runs a delta-neutral strategy, hedging market risks while capturing spreads.
After 6 months of testing, the GLP vault reported:
- 48% annualized return (backtested)
- Sharpe ratio: 7.6
Eligibility is based on your total historical trading volume.
Additional Features
- 60+ Markets: Crypto perpetuals, options (coming soon)
- Up to 50x Leverage: Higher than most DEXs
- No Gas Fees: GRVT subsidizes all transaction costs
- Strategies Marketplace: Coming feature for automated trading strategies
GRVT Review — Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Negative Maker Fees: Get paid -0.01% to provide liquidity
- Privacy: ZK-encrypted positions hide your trading activity
- Speed: 600K TPS with sub-2ms latency matches CEXs
- No Gas: GRVT covers all transaction costs
- 10% APY: Passive yield on idle funds
- 50x Leverage: Higher than most DEXs
❌ Cons
- Lower Volume Than Hyperliquid: Still building liquidity
- zkSync Complexity: Bridging and learning curve
- No Token Yet: TGE expected Q1 2026 (farming uncertainty)
- Limited Track Record: Mainnet alpha launched late 2024
- Geographic Restrictions: Travel Rule compliance may limit access
GRVT Token & Airdrop
GRVT plans to launch its token in Q1 2026. Key details:
- Total Community Rewards: 22% of token supply (increased from original 20%)
- Rewards 2.0: Currently live for points accumulation
- Early Points: From Rewards 1.0 will be locked with final ratio calculated later
If you're farming the airdrop:
- Trade actively to accumulate volume
- Provide liquidity to earn maker rebates
- Deposit into GLP for additional exposure
- Watch for TGE announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GRVT decentralized?
GRVT is a hybrid exchange: order matching happens off-chain for speed, but settlement and custody are fully on-chain via zkSync. Your funds remain self-custodial.
Why are maker fees negative?
GRVT pays makers to incentivize liquidity provision. This creates tighter spreads and better execution for everyone. The cost is subsidized by taker fees and VC funding.
How do I bridge to GRVT?
Use the zkSync bridge to move USDC from Ethereum to zkSync, then deposit into GRVT. The platform covers gas fees once you're on-chain.
When is the GRVT token launch?
TGE is planned for Q1 2026. Community rewards will account for 22% of total supply. Farm now for maximum allocation.
Can institutions use GRVT?
Yes. GRVT achieved Singapore Travel Rule compliance in January 2026 and is specifically targeting institutional adoption with its privacy and compliance features.