The 1inch Limit Order Protocol just posted its strongest quarter of user growth in recent memory. Daily average active addresses climbed 45.9% quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, reaching 4,200, according to Messari’s “State of 1inch Q1 2026” report authored by Austin Weiler and published on May 22.

What the Limit Order Protocol actually does

Instead of executing a trade immediately at whatever price the market offers, LOP lets users set a specific price they want. The order sits off-chain until market conditions match, then gets executed on-chain.

1inch launched this protocol in June 2021 across Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Polygon. It replaced an earlier system built on 0x technology, offering more customizable order types and better cost efficiency. The protocol supports various EVM-compatible chains, which broadens its potential user base significantly.

The design choice to keep orders off-chain until execution matters for gas costs. Users don’t pay fees just to place an order. They only pay when the trade actually happens.

BNB Chain is driving serious volume

Daily average volume on BNB Chain surged 52.7% quarter-over-quarter, hitting $24 million in Q1 2026.

Part of this BNB Chain momentum traces back to a partnership with Ondo Finance, a protocol focused on bringing real-world assets onto blockchain rails. The collaboration appears to be funneling a new category of trading activity through 1inch’s infrastructure.

What this means for investors

The 1inch Network’s native governance token, 1INCH, is the most direct way this growth translates into market impact. Investors watching the 1INCH token should track whether BNB Chain volume sustains above that $24 million daily average in Q2, because that will reveal whether the Ondo-driven momentum has legs or was a one-quarter anomaly.