Intents
Web3 / defi
Intents represent a blockchain design paradigm where users specify desired outcomes rather than prescribing explicit transaction steps. Instead of crafting a specific transaction sequence, a user expresses an intent such as "swap 100 USDC for ETH at the best available price" and delegates execution to specialized actors called solvers. This abstraction layer separates user intent from execution mechanics, enabling more efficient order fulfillment, reduced front-running, and optimized routing across fragmented liquidity sources. Intent-based systems can batch multiple user intents together, finding optimal settlements that benefit all participants simultaneously. Example: CoW Protocol allows users to submit an intent like "I want to sell 10 ETH for at least 20,000 USDC" without specifying routing or MEV protection. The protocol's solvers compete to find the best execution path, often matching opposite intents directly (Coincidence of Wants) to avoid external AMM fees entirely. Why it matters for DeFi: Intent-based architectures reduce slippage, minimize MEV extraction, and enable more efficient settlement mechanisms by separating user intent from execution, fundamentally improving capital efficiency across DeFi.
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