Innovations in DeFi are vast, but arguably one of the zeroto-one moments was the introduction of Automated Market Makers (AMMs). However, attempts to use AMMs as mechanisms to bring fixed rates to DeFi have been wide ranging and produced varied success. These models often have limitations that have either meant capital is inefficiently used, the rates produced are unattractive relative to the variable returns or the AMM design is overly rigid, meaning traders don’t have sufficient flexibility to move in and out of positions as desired. Voltz Protocol, a novel AMM introduced through this paper, brings interest rate swaps to DeFi in a manner that is up to 3,000 times more capital efficient than alternative models. Our model allows for sophisticated trading strategies and produces highly attractive fixed rates of return for investors. Traders and LPs have the ability to operate with approximately 10-15x leverage, meaning the Voltz IRS market has the potential to be 10-15x larger than the underlying. Longer-term, as DeFi continues to displace traditional financial markets, Voltz can displace the c.$1,000tn notional trading volume that is exchanged each year in TradFi IRS markets.
