> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tangerine.exchange/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Lighter Overview

> Ultra-low-latency perp DEX with Schnorr signature authentication

## What is Lighter?

Lighter is a high-performance perpetual futures exchange built on zkSync. It's designed for traders who prioritize execution speed and gas efficiency. Lighter uses **Schnorr signatures** for its trading key scheme — a more efficient signature algorithm than ECDSA, enabling faster and cheaper order signing.

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## Key Characteristics

* **Ultra-low latency** — optimized for high-frequency trading
* **zkSync-based** — inherits Ethereum security with ZK rollup efficiency
* **Schnorr key auth** — trading keys use Schnorr signatures derived from your wallet
* **Intent-based deposits** — unique deposit address pattern (no approval transactions)
* **Multi-chain deposits** — Arbitrum, Base, Avalanche supported

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## How Tangerine Integrates with Lighter

Lighter's trading key system uses a **7-step Schnorr key derivation flow**:

1. Check if your account exists on Lighter (it's created automatically on first deposit)
2. Sign an access message with your main wallet
3. Generate a Schnorr API key pair from your wallet signature
4. Register the API key on Lighter via a signed transaction
5. Tangerine encrypts the Schnorr private key in the browser

This is more involved than Hyperliquid setup, but it's a one-time process. After setup, trading feels identical — every order is signed locally and submitted to Lighter's API.

<Info>
  You must deposit to Lighter before completing setup. Your Lighter account is created by the first deposit, and the setup flow verifies the account exists before proceeding.
</Info>

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## Intent-Based Deposits

Lighter uses a unique **intent address** pattern for deposits. Instead of a fixed smart contract address, Lighter generates a unique one-time deposit address for each deposit request. The UI handles this automatically — just use the address shown in the Tangerine deposit panel.

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<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Deposit" icon="arrow-down-to-line" href="/platforms/lighter/deposit">
    Fund via Arbitrum, Base, or Avalanche using the intent address pattern
  </Card>

  <Card title="Setup" icon="gear" href="/platforms/lighter/setup">
    Complete the 7-step Schnorr key derivation flow
  </Card>
</CardGroup>