> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://pendulum.gitbook.io/pendulum-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://pendulum.gitbook.io/pendulum-docs/learn/readme.md).

# Welcome to Pendulum

Pioneering the internet of fiat. Pendulum blockchain offers composable financial services using stablecoins to businesses, fintech companies and builds the future of forex on DeFi.

On this site, you'll find information and documentation on the project and network, as well as technical docs for developers, node operators, users, and other Pendulum communities.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Help us help you:** As Pendulum evolves, so will our documentation. We welcome everybody to participate with recommendations for updates to these docs. Please reach out to us on [Telegram ](https://t.me/pendulum_community)or [Discord ](https://discord.com/invite/wJ2fQh776B)with any feedback. 
{% endhint %}

## What is Pendulum?

Pendulum Chain is a smart contract blockchain network connecting fiat rails to the decentralized finance ecosystem. By bridging robust and compliant fiat-pegged tokens from the most prominent blockchain networks into the vibrant DeFi ecosystems, Pendulum addresses the ever-growing demand for fiat liquidity in DeFi. Behind the development of the open Pendulum protocol is [SatoshiPay](https://satoshipay.io), a fintech company which has developed blockchain products since 2014.

## Built on Substrate

Substrate is a blockchain framework developed by Parity Technologies. The framework was used to build Polkadot. The advantages of Substrate are many: in addition to having native compatibility with the Polkadot chain, Substrate has cross-coding language support, forkless upgrades with built-in upgrade coordination, deterministic finality (for fast consensus reaching), and a suite of pre-built but customizable components (“pallets”).

## What is the Big Picture? 

The tools of money have changed to be evermore inclusive and accessible in an increasingly globalized and borderless world. Humans have evolved from trading metal coins to investing in stocks and sending online bank transactions. However, the centralized traditional financial systems, which historically provided these tools, tend to be unable to deliver flexible and composable services. Global fiat transfers and interactions in traditional finance suffer from high fees, slow speeds and limited optionality. In contrast, the explosive growth in the world of DeFi has brought about tools for building innovative financial products for future generations. But to date, bridging compliant fiat fintech services over to DeFi ecosystems has not been easy. Pendulum was created to be this bridge.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://pendulum.gitbook.io/pendulum-docs/learn/readme.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.