> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.arkis.xyz/home/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.arkis.xyz/home/overview/introduction.md). # Introduction What is Arkis, and why does it matter? ## What is Arkis? Arkis is an institutional prime broker that margins CeFi, DeFi and TradFi positions as one portfolio. Through one account, clients borrow against their whole portfolio, hold collateral in qualified custody off the exchange, stake, trade directly on major centralized exchanges, major DeFi protocols and 50+ TradFi venues including NYSE, Nasdaq, CME and ICE, and reach more than 20 OTC derivatives desks through Concourse. Arkis has deployed more than $400 million in credit. ### One strategy, three disconnected financial systems Institutional portfolios need credit, execution, hedging and treasury, and each of these lives in a separate venue stack: * **DeFi venues:** credit and leverage, perpetual execution, and yield and staking, each on its own protocol. * **CeFi venues:** spot, margin and futures execution, with collateral trapped across exchanges, and options and OTC trades run on separate risk systems and manual workflows. * **TradFi venues:** market access to equities, ETFs and futures, macro hedges, and portfolio and treasury holdings such as index exposure, T-bills and cash. ### Arkis’s Approach Arkis addresses this fragmentation as an institutional prime broker that margins CeFi, DeFi and TradFi positions as one portfolio. * **Portfolio margin across venues:** Arkis calculates margin on the aggregate risk of the whole account, across centralized exchange sub-accounts, DeFi protocols and traditional brokerage accounts. A gain in one position can offset a loss in another, so the same collateral supports more trading. * **Credit against the whole portfolio:** Clients borrow against any approved collateral asset, including staked assets that keep earning yield. For on-chain positions, smart contracts enforce what each margin account can trade and where its assets can move. * **Collateral off the exchange:** For centralized venues, Arkis settles off-exchange through Copper's ClearLoop network. Client collateral stays in Copper's custody and is mirrored to each connected venue for margin. * **Access to markets:** The same account reaches major centralized exchanges, major DeFi protocols and 50+ TradFi venues, including NYSE, Nasdaq, CME and ICE, and more than 20 OTC derivatives desks through Concourse. * **Yield for lenders:** Lenders earn yield by financing the trading of institutional clients. Arkis monitors every position and liquidates by rules set in advance, which protects the lender's capital.
> Arkis gives trading firms capital-efficient credit across every venue they trade on, and gives lenders a governed way to earn yield. Arkis has deployed more than $400 million in credit.