Saturn Network Crypto Exchange Review: What Happened to the DEX?
David Wallace 16 April 2025 13

Saturn Network DEX Comparison Tool

Interactive Comparison: Compare Saturn Network's key features against active DEXs to see why it failed and what modern DEXs do right.

Saturn Network

  • Supported Chains Ethereum, Ethereum Classic
  • Liquidity Incentives SATURN token (Never Released)
  • Average Daily Volume $0 USD
  • Governance Model DAO via SATURN token
  • Status Defunct

Uniswap

  • Supported Chains Ethereum, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum
  • Liquidity Incentives UNI token, liquidity mining
  • Average Daily Volume ~$12B
  • Governance Model DAO via UNI token
  • Status Active

SushiSwap

  • Supported Chains Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, Avalanche
  • Liquidity Incentives SUSHI token, yield farms
  • Average Daily Volume ~$2B
  • Governance Model DAO via SUSHI token
  • Status Active

Key Takeaways

  • Liquidity is King: Saturn had none; Uniswap and SushiSwap have billions.
  • Multi-chain Support: Saturn was limited to two chains; others support many.
  • Community: Saturn lacked engagement; both Uniswap and SushiSwap thrive with strong communities.
  • Token Incentives: Saturn's token never launched; active DEXs offer live rewards.
  • Execution: Saturn failed to deliver on promises; active DEXs iterate regularly.

Why Saturn Network Failed

Saturn Network struggled due to lack of liquidity, limited chain support, weak community, intense competition, and developer inactivity. These factors combined to render it obsolete in the rapidly evolving DeFi landscape.

Saturn Network is a now-defunct open‑source decentralized exchange (DEX) that once aimed to enable peer‑to‑peer token trading on the Ethereum and Ethereum Classic blockchains. The platform relied on smart contracts to execute trades without custodial wallets and used the SATURN token as a governance instrument for its DAO. Below is a quick snapshot of what the project was, why it failed, and how it stacks up against active DEXs today.

Quick Takeaways

  • Saturn Network launched as a non‑custodial DEX on Ethereum and Ethereum Classic.
  • It offered liquidity rewards paid in SATURN, but never reached critical mass.
  • Major tracking sites now list the exchange as defunct with zero trading volume.
  • Competing DEXs like Uniswap and SushiSwap dominate with billions in daily volume.
  • Investors included CMS Holdings, Big Brain Holdings, Sora Ventures, UTXO Management, and BOOGLE.

What Saturn Network Tried to Build

The core promise was simple: let users trade ERC‑20 tokens without ever handing over private keys. By leveraging Ethereum the world’s leading smart‑contract platform and Ethereum Classic a fork of Ethereum with a focus on immutability, the protocol could execute trades directly on‑chain. The architecture resembled other DEXs - orders were hashed into contracts, matched off‑chain, and settled on‑chain. The decentralized exchange model removes a central custodian, reducing hack risk.

Liquidity incentives were built into the protocol. Market makers who filled orders earned SATURN tokens, which also gave holders voting rights in the DAO a decentralized autonomous organization that governs protocol upgrades. The tokenomics planned a 1billion supply, but tracking sites now show both total and circulating supply at zero, indicating the token never really launched.

Why It Didn’t Take Off

Several factors converged to push Saturn Network into the graveyard:

  1. Lack of liquidity. Without deep order books, users faced high slippage and could not execute large trades.
  2. Limited chain support. Focusing only on Ethereum and Ethereum Classic left out fast‑growing ecosystems like Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche.
  3. Weak community. The platform never built a vibrant forum, Discord, or Telegram presence, so there was no viral user growth.
  4. Competition. Established DEXs such as Uniswap, SushiSwap, and PancakeSwap already offered better UI, lower fees, and massive liquidity pools.
  5. Developer inertia. After the initial funding round-backed by CMS Holdings, Big Brain Holdings, Sora Ventures, UTXO Management, and BOOGLE-the team seemed to lose momentum, with no new releases reported after 2022.

Consequently, tracking platforms like CryptoWisser label Saturn Network as “dead”, and CoinMarketCap lists it as an “Untracked Listing” with no volume data.

How It Compares to Active DEXs

How It Compares to Active DEXs

Saturn Network vs. Leading Decentralized Exchanges (2025)
FeatureSaturn NetworkUniswapSushiSwap
Supported ChainsEthereum, Ethereum ClassicEthereum, Polygon, Optimism, ArbitrumEthereum, BSC, Polygon, Avalanche
Liquidity IncentivesSATURN token (never released)UNI token, various liquidity mining programsSUSHI token, yield farms
Average Daily Volume (2025)0USD~$12B~$2B
Governance ModelDAO via SATURN tokenDAO via UNI tokenDAO via SUSHI token
Current StatusDefunct / No tradingActiveActive

The table makes it clear why traders abandoned Saturn Network: zero volume, limited chain reach, and an unfinished token incentive program.

Investor Backing and Funding

Even with institutional support, money alone couldn’t save the project. The round included:

  • CMS Holdings - Tier2 venture capital.
  • Big Brain Holdings - Lead investor, Tier3.
  • Sora Ventures - Tier4 lead.
  • UTXO Management - Tier4 venture capital.
  • BOOGLE - Corporate investor, Tier4.

None of these firms have publicly announced follow‑on funding, which suggests the team failed to hit milestones that would trigger additional capital.

Lessons for Future DEX Builders

If you’re considering launching a new DEX, Saturn Network’s story offers a checklist:

  • Liquidity is king. Secure enough market makers early, perhaps via a launch‑pad or partnership.
  • Multi‑chain support. Users gravitate toward platforms that let them trade on fast, cheap layers.
  • Active community management. Continuous engagement through social channels drives network effects.
  • Clear tokenomics. Reward structures must be live, transparent, and sustainable.
  • Iterative development. Regular upgrades keep the protocol competitive against fast‑moving rivals.

Current Status and Future Outlook

As of October2025, there is no sign of revival. The website is offline, the smart contracts are still on‑chain but inactive, and no developer has posted updates. The SATURN token never entered circulation, so holders (if any) cannot participate in governance.

For investors, the lesson is to scrutinize not only the amount of capital a project raises but also the roadmap execution, community health, and real‑world liquidity metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saturn Network still usable?

No. The exchange’s web interface is offline, and the smart contracts have no active order‑matching logic. All trading pairs show zero volume.

What happened to the SATURN token?

The token never launched on major exchanges. Tracking sites list both total and circulating supply as zero, indicating it was never minted or distributed.

How does a non‑custodial DEX keep funds safe?

Users retain private keys in their wallets; trades are settled by smart contracts. Even if the platform’s servers are compromised, the funds remain in users’ wallets.

Can I earn rewards on Saturn Network today?

No. The liquidity mining program required the SATURN token, which never became tradeable. There are no active reward contracts.

What are better alternatives for Ethereum‑based DEX trading?

Uniswap V4 and SushiSwap are the market leaders, offering deep liquidity, multi‑chain bridges, and active governance communities.