Vortex Makes $PEN Its Native Fuel

Short read — for shareholders, builders, and the Pendulum community

What’s happening

Starting January 2026, Vortex will update its fee engine so that 10% of the platform fee is charged in $PEN. Any needed conversion happens automatically during the transaction.

Once performance and liquidity prove solid, the share may rise up to 50 %.

Why $PEN? The token already secures the cross-chain rails Vortex uses on Polkadot. As we integrate additional networks (for example Polkadot Hub), we need neutral, non-custodial smart-contract infrastructure so fees move without SatoshiPay ever taking custody of user funds. Pendulum’s DAO-run layer provides exactly that, helping us meet future compliance requirements while keeping trading seamless.

The Pendulum DAO has published its own view as well — worth a look.

User-visible changes

Before

• Fees paid 100 % in stablecoins
• Single flat fee
• other Project Token fiat ramps not available

After (from Jan 2026)

• 10 % $PEN charged, auto-swapped if needed — no extra clicks
• Stake $PEN for tiered discounts: for example 1 k PEN/ 10 k PEN / 100 k PEN → 10 % / 15 % / 20 %
• Projects bond $PEN to list, reducing spam

SatoshiPay retains control of the percentage charged in $PEN and the fee tiers.

The Pendulum DAO gains additional utility, deciding which asset pools are allowlisted and continuing to manage the PEN treasury and non-custodial infrastructure.

Timeline

during Jan 2026: 10 % $PEN charge activated for all Vortex transactions

March 2026: Review for higher swap share & fiat ramping for crypto projects with DEX-listed assets

Why it matters to shareholders

• Embedded demand — A share of every Vortex transaction converts into $PEN, fortifying the DAO-run infrastructure Vortex relies on today and will need as it grows.
• Clear boundaries — Economic levers remain with SatoshiPay; governance levers stay with the DAO — minimising risk and keeping accountability clear.
• Market reach — The Pendulum community meets Vortex liquidity, expanding both user bases.

Thank you for your continued support.

— Alexander Wilke, CEO, SatoshiPay Ltd

“$PEN is Vortex’s neutral access token — fuel for the platform’s programmable, non-custodial asset transfers today and scaling with us across every chain tomorrow.”

$PEN is utilised as an access token for the Vortex platform and is not intended as an investment. Forward-looking statements are subject to technical and regulatory uncertainties