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Derive Client

The Derive Client is a comprehensive Python library for interacting with Derive Protocol - a decentralized, self-custodial derivatives trading platform on its own Ethereum L2 chain.

What is Derive?

Derive is a high-performance crypto trading platform offering options, perpetuals, and spot trading. The platform consists of:

  • Derive L2: A dedicated Layer 2 blockchain built on the OP Stack, secured by Ethereum
  • Trading Engine: High-performance matching engine for derivatives trading
  • Session Keys: Secure delegation of trading permissions without compromising wallet security
  • Self-Custodial: Users maintain full control of their funds through smart contract wallets
  • Multi-Chain Bridging: Seamless asset bridging from Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and Optimism

Key Features

Multiple Client Types

  • Sync Client: HTTP-based REST API client for simple, blocking operations
  • Async Client: Asynchronous HTTP REST API client for high-performance applications
  • WebSocket Client: Real-time client for streaming data and low-latency trading

Built-in Bridging

  • Multi-Chain Support: Bridge assets to/from Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum, and Optimism
  • Socket Superbridge: ERC20 token bridging (WBTC, WETH, USDC, OLAS, etc.)
  • LayerZero: DRV token bridging across chains

Unified API

All clients support the same core methods through Derive's JSON-RPC protocol, which works over both HTTP and WebSocket transports.

Architecture Overview

graph TB
    A[Your Application] --> B[Derive Client]
    B --> C[Sync Client
HTTP REST]
    B --> D[Async Client
HTTP REST]
    B --> E[WebSocket Client
Real-time]
    B --> F[Bridge Module]

    C --> G[Derive API
JSON-RPC over HTTP]
    D --> G
    E --> H[Derive API
JSON-RPC over WebSocket]

    F --> I[Ethereum Mainnet]
    F --> J[Base]
    F --> K[Arbitrum]
    F --> L[Optimism]

Getting Started

🚀 Start Here

New to Derive? Follow this path:

  1. Quickstart - Install the client and dependencies
  2. Examples - Run working code examples to learn by doing
  3. Background Reading - Dive deeper when you need it:
  4. Account Model - LightAccounts, subaccounts, and session keys
  5. Authentication - Registering accounts and session keys
  6. Bridging - Deposit and withdraw assets
  7. Clients - Choose the right client for your use case

📚 Reference

Community & Support

Ready to start trading derivatives on Derive? Jump to Quickstart →