DeFi

Switchboard

A decentralized oracle network on Solana providing custom data feeds, verifiable random functions (VRF), and serverless compute (Functions). Unlike Pyth's publisher model, Switchboard uses a permissionless oracle queue where operators run jobs defined by feed creators. Supports any data source via its off-chain oracle job framework.

IDswitchboard

Plain meaning

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A decentralized oracle network on Solana providing custom data feeds, verifiable random functions (VRF), and serverless compute (Functions). Unlike Pyth's publisher model, Switchboard uses a permissionless oracle queue where operators run jobs defined by feed creators. Supports any data source via its off-chain oracle job framework.

Mental model

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Think of it as a market mechanic used to price, route, or move capital through liquidity apps.

Technical context

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AMMs, routing, liquidity, lending, and trading infrastructure.

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Switchboard (switchboard)
Category: DeFi
Definition: A decentralized oracle network on Solana providing custom data feeds, verifiable random functions (VRF), and serverless compute (Functions). Unlike Pyth's publisher model, Switchboard uses a permissionless oracle queue where operators run jobs defined by feed creators. Supports any data source via its off-chain oracle job framework.
Related: Oracle, VRF (Verifiable Random Function)
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Concept graph

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Branch

Oracle

A service that provides external data (prices, randomness) to on-chain programs. DeFi protocols rely on oracles for accurate price feeds to calculate collateral ratios, liquidation thresholds, and swap rates. Solana's primary oracles are Pyth (high-frequency price feeds) and Switchboard (general-purpose data feeds and VRF).

Branch

VRF (Verifiable Random Function)

Verifiable Random Function—a cryptographic primitive that generates provably random outputs with a proof of correctness. On Solana, Switchboard VRF provides on-chain randomness for gaming, lotteries, and NFT reveals. The oracle computes a random value and proof off-chain; the program verifies the proof on-chain before using the result.

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DeFi

Oracle

A service that provides external data (prices, randomness) to on-chain programs. DeFi protocols rely on oracles for accurate price feeds to calculate collateral ratios, liquidation thresholds, and swap rates. Solana's primary oracles are Pyth (high-frequency price feeds) and Switchboard (general-purpose data feeds and VRF).

DeFi

VRF (Verifiable Random Function)

Verifiable Random Function—a cryptographic primitive that generates provably random outputs with a proof of correctness. On Solana, Switchboard VRF provides on-chain randomness for gaming, lotteries, and NFT reveals. The oracle computes a random value and proof off-chain; the program verifies the proof on-chain before using the result.

DeFi

Switchboard Functions

A serverless compute feature of the Switchboard oracle network that allows developers to run custom off-chain code (written in Rust or TypeScript) inside secure enclaves (SGX/TDX) and post verified results on-chain. Functions enable arbitrary data feeds beyond standard price oracles—sports scores, weather data, complex computations—while providing cryptographic attestation that the code executed correctly in a trusted environment.

DeFi

Swap

The exchange of one token for another through a DEX, either via an AMM pool or an order book. The user specifies an input token/amount and receives output tokens at the current market rate minus slippage and fees. On Solana, swaps settle in a single transaction (~400ms) with fees typically 0.01-0.3% per trade.

Commonly confused with

Terms nearby in vocabulary, acronym, or conceptual neighborhood.

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DeFiswitchboard-functions

Switchboard Functions

A serverless compute feature of the Switchboard oracle network that allows developers to run custom off-chain code (written in Rust or TypeScript) inside secure enclaves (SGX/TDX) and post verified results on-chain. Functions enable arbitrary data feeds beyond standard price oracles—sports scores, weather data, complex computations—while providing cryptographic attestation that the code executed correctly in a trusted environment.

DeFisanctum

Sanctum

A protocol that unifies fragmented liquidity across Solana's liquid staking token (LST) ecosystem by enabling instant swaps between any LSTs and providing the INF token as a unified liquid staking position. Sanctum solves the cold-start liquidity problem for new LST providers and allows validators to launch their own LSTs.

AliasSanctum LST
DeFislippage

Slippage

The difference between the expected price of a swap and the actual execution price due to pool ratio changes between submission and execution. Users set slippage tolerance (e.g., 0.5-1%) as a maximum acceptable deviation; the transaction reverts if exceeded. High slippage occurs in thin pools or large trades relative to pool depth.

Related terms

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DeFioracle

Oracle

A service that provides external data (prices, randomness) to on-chain programs. DeFi protocols rely on oracles for accurate price feeds to calculate collateral ratios, liquidation thresholds, and swap rates. Solana's primary oracles are Pyth (high-frequency price feeds) and Switchboard (general-purpose data feeds and VRF).

DeFivrf

VRF (Verifiable Random Function)

Verifiable Random Function—a cryptographic primitive that generates provably random outputs with a proof of correctness. On Solana, Switchboard VRF provides on-chain randomness for gaming, lotteries, and NFT reveals. The oracle computes a random value and proof off-chain; the program verifies the proof on-chain before using the result.

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DeFi

AMM (Automated Market Maker)

A protocol that enables token swaps using algorithmic pricing against pooled liquidity instead of matching individual buyers and sellers. AMMs use mathematical formulas (typically constant product x*y=k) to determine prices based on the ratio of tokens in a liquidity pool. On Solana, major AMMs include Raydium, Orca, and Meteora.

DeFi

CLMM (Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker)

An AMM design where liquidity providers concentrate their capital within specific price ranges instead of across the full 0-to-infinity range. CLMMs dramatically improve capital efficiency—LPs earn more fees per dollar deposited within their active range. If the price moves outside the range, the position becomes inactive. Orca Whirlpools and Raydium CLMM are leading implementations on Solana.

DeFi

Liquidity Pool

A smart-contract-held reserve of two or more tokens that enables trading via an AMM. Users deposit token pairs in specified ratios to become liquidity providers and earn trading fees. Pools are identified by their token pair and fee tier. Pool depth (total value locked) determines price impact for trades.

DeFi

LP Token

A token issued to liquidity providers representing their proportional share of a pool's reserves and accrued fees. LP tokens can be burned to withdraw the underlying assets. The value of LP tokens changes as the pool's token ratios shift and fees accumulate. LP tokens are often stakeable in yield farming programs for additional rewards.