> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.paradex.trade/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.paradex.trade/_mcp/server.

# Introduction

## What is the Paradex Chain?

#### [Chain Powered by the Starknet Stack](https://www.starknet.io/sn-stack/)

Enabling developers to build and deploy high-performance decentralized applications on CairoVM

#### Access to Liquidity Infrastructure

Seamlessly interact with the deep liquidity on the Paradex Exchange

## Technical Architecture

The CairoVM is a specialized virtual machine designed specifically for Validity Proof systems (ZK-Rollups), and is free from the constraints of EVM-based architectures.
Smart contracts are written in Cairo, a Rust-like language designed to maximize the efficiency of STARK-proof-based computation for scaling Ethereum.

Starknet applications can be easily deployed on the Paradex Chain

#### Full Starknet Compatibility

Deploy the same contracts by **just** updating RPC endpoints

#### Simplified Deployment

No protocol-level changes required

#### Mature Tooling

Use all existing Starknet ecosystem tooling including Hardhat, Starkli etc.