# Introduction

The Keep Protocol is a new paradigm of a decentralized banking system integrated with margin trading and algorithmic market operations(AMO), which enables instant lending with high capital efficiency.

<figure><img src="https://792203289-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcwubA2dtcemQQ5NrixVB%2Fuploads%2FTUN4TTUekXNXOwZZzvYG%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c7365d8d-3585-4433-af46-dcfe536d96e0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* At the heart of the Voltz Protocol is the [Lending Pool ](https://keep-finance.gitbook.io/keep-finance/keep_core/lending-pool)that is responsible for the deployment of Interest Rate Swap (IRS) pools.&#x20;
* Each (IRS) pool works on top of a yield-bearing pool that produces variable rates of return (e.g. Aave v2 aUSDC lending pool).
* Each IRS pool has an inception date and a maturity date at which the swaps are settled.
* Each (IRS) pool is made up of three key components (contracts): Margin Engine, Virtual Automated Market Maker ([vAMM](https://keep-finance.gitbook.io/keep-finance/keep_core/margin-trading)) and Full Collateralization Module ([FCM)](https://keep-finance.gitbook.io/keep-finance/keep_core/fcm):&#x20;

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Margin Engine" %}
Responsible for the management of position margin, cashflows and liquidations.&#x20;
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="vAMM" %}
Responsible for price discovery for the initiation of interest rate swaps.&#x20;
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Full Collateralization Module (FCM)" %}
Enables traders to enter into fully collateralized fixed taker positions by depositing margin in the form of the yield-bearing asset (e.g. aUSDC) instead of the underlying token (e.g. USDC)
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}