Mainstreet Finance — Frequently Asked Questions

Mainstreet Finance is a DeFi protocol that democratizes access to CME index box spreads — an institutional-grade, market-neutral yield strategy that has historically been available only to large financial institutions and hedge funds. By tokenizing this yield through msUSD, Mainstreet Finance enables any wallet holder to earn stable, predictable returns without exposure to directional market risk.

msUSD is the yield-bearing synthetic dollar issued by Mainstreet Finance. It maintains a stable value of $1 while passively accruing yield from CME index box spreads. Unlike algorithmic stablecoins that rely on volatile incentives, or lending protocols that carry counterparty risk, msUSD's yield is sourced from a regulated, market-neutral financial instrument. This makes msUSD one of the most transparent and risk-adjusted yield sources in DeFi.

A CME index box spread is a sophisticated options strategy constructed on CME-listed index products. It involves simultaneously buying and selling call and put options at different strike prices to create a synthetic loan — locking in a near risk-free rate of return regardless of market direction. Historically, only institutions with CME clearing access could execute these trades. Mainstreet Finance pools capital and executes these strategies on behalf of all msUSD holders, passing the yield back to users.

Getting started with Mainstreet Finance is straightforward. First, connect your wallet on the main app at mainstreet.finance. Then use the Swap page to convert supported stablecoins (such as USDC or USDT) into msUSD. Once you hold msUSD, head to the Stake page to begin earning yield. Your position accrues continuously and you can unstake at any time. No minimum deposit is required — Mainstreet Finance is accessible to all.

The APY on Mainstreet Finance reflects the annualized yield generated from CME index box spread positions. The current rate is approximately 11.99% APY, though this may vary depending on prevailing market conditions and the rates available on CME instruments. The yield is calculated on a continuous basis and distributed to stakers of msUSD. Real-time figures are always visible on the main dashboard.

Mainstreet Finance is committed to the highest standards of transparency and security. The protocol's smart contracts are open-source and available on GitHub via Mainstreet-Labs. Third-party audits have been conducted and results are published publicly. Real-time on-chain proof of reserves is accessible through integrations with DeFiLlama and StableWatch. That said, as with all DeFi protocols, users should review the Terms of Use and understand the risks before participating.

Mainstreet Finance supports all major EVM-compatible wallets including MetaMask, WalletConnect-compatible wallets, Coinbase Wallet, and more. The protocol operates on multiple EVM-compatible networks, and users can bridge assets between chains using the built-in Bridge feature. Check the app at mainstreet.finance for the current list of supported networks and bridge routes.

msY (Main Street Yield) is the core strategy powering Mainstreet Finance's yield engine. It converts CME index box spreads into market-neutral, USD-denominated yield. With over $43M in AUM and an ~11.99% APY, msY is the primary vehicle through which Mainstreet Finance delivers institutional returns to retail participants. Users can access the msY strategy directly via the Stake page or explore full details on the Strategies section of the app.

Full documentation for Mainstreet Finance is available on Gitbook at mainstreet-finance.gitbook.io. For community support and the latest updates, join the official Discord server at discord.gg/zfPP3H6pUU. You can also follow Mainstreet Finance on X (Twitter) at @Main_St_Finance for news, announcements, and yield rate updates. Additional analytics are available via DeFiLlama and StableWatch integrations.