# Synthetic Asset

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**Publisher:** Decentralized Finance Publication

## Definition

A tokenised representation of a real-world or other crypto asset created by DeFi protocols. Synthetix allows minting of synths (sETH, sBTC, sEUR) by depositing SNX collateral. Synthetic assets let DeFi users gain price exposure to assets they cannot easily access on-chain (equities, commodities, forex) without holding the underlying. Synthetix V3 and GMX Synthetics are the main synthetic asset platforms in DeFi.

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Canonical: https://decentralized-finance.io/glossary/synthetic-asset/