# Get Started

## <mark style="color:purple;">Welcome to Shade Protocol: We're Building the Most Secure and Inclusive On-Chain Economy.</mark> &#x20;

#### <mark style="color:purple;">Getting Started</mark>

1️⃣ Begin by [connecting your wallet](https://docs.shadeprotocol.io/shade-protocol/get-started/step-1-connect-your-wallet).&#x20;

2️⃣ Create [Viewing Key](https://docs.shadeprotocol.io/shade-protocol/get-started/step-2-create-a-viewing-key) (at no charge)

3️⃣🅐 Buy $SHD in 30 seconds - Hit "The Button"\
OR \
3️⃣🅑 [Bridge](https://docs.shadeprotocol.io/shade-protocol/get-started/step-3b-bridge) your tokens from a CEX or DEX

4️⃣ [Swap Assets](https://docs.shadeprotocol.io/shade-protocol/get-started/step-4-swap-assets) for private wrapped assets

5️⃣ [Use our app features](https://docs.shadeprotocol.io/shade-protocol/get-started/step-5-use-our-features) like entering pools, derivatives, send and more. &#x20;

#### <mark style="color:purple;">What is Shade Protocol:</mark>

***Simply put, Shade Protocol is private DeFi!***&#x20;

We are a collection of private DeFi applications built on Secret Network, providing privacy-preserving services like stablecoins, trading, lending, governance, bonds, staking derivatives, and insurance. Using Secret Network's technology, all applications come with built-in programmable privacy features.

<mark style="color:purple;">**Shade Protocol's Mission:**</mark>

Shade believes every piece of the DeFi stack must be improved in order to bring trillions in assets on-chain. Our ecosystem of open-source applications includes unique decryption primitives to ensure privacy and auditability, novel stablecoin architectures ($SILK), powerful omnichain integrations, lending, trading, and much more.

#### <mark style="color:purple;">What features does Shade have?</mark>

On the Shade app there are several features including:

* [Bridge](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/bridging-assets)
* [Swap](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/swap-feature)
* [Pools](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/liquidity-pools)
* [Borrow](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/borrow-feature-everything-to-know)
* [Silk](https://shadeprotocol.io/blog/silk)
* [Stake](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/stake-feature)
* [Bonds](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/bonds-feature)
* [Derivatives](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/derivatives-feature)
* [Portfolio](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/portfolio-feature)
* [Wrap](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/wrap-feature)
* [Send](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/send-feature)
* [History](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/history-feature-everything-to-know)
* [Utilities](https://shadeprotocol.io/shade-guide/utilities-feature)

***

*If you're new to our app, check out our* [*#ShadeGuide playlist*](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFEm8se77ryMjdcz_ior3krCqjxzLuo14) *for additional tutorials to help you get familiar with the Shade app and become a pro user. We have videos that will walk you through all the features step-by-step.*

*Information provided in this post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute formal investment advice. Please read the full disclaimer at* [*shadeprotocol.io/disclaimer*](https://shadeprotocol.io/disclaimer) *before relying on any information herein.*<br>