Uniswap Voted for a Fee Shift

Changes to our ideas of valuation

🌐Uniswap Voted for a Fee Shift

Lately in this newsletter I’ve been talking about bitcoin and ETFs, but I wanted to make a shift here and talk about one of the most important DeFi protocols, and a huge shift they made recently.

I hope you’ll bear with me and enjoy these thoughts, as I think they have an impact on the ways we’ll determine and derive value for investments in the future.

Uniswap is one of the most important protocols in DeFi, really starting the Decentralized Exchanges. The token holders made a significant vote to share protocol fees with token holders. Let’s discuss.

As usual, the video is at the end.

What Happened with UNI?

Uniswap has been a trailblazer, offering a platform for swapping crypto assets with ease and efficiency on the Ethereum blockchain. A few years back, they introduced their own token, UNI, marking a significant moment with one of the first major airdrops to their users.

However, until recently, UNI holders were primarily in for the governance aspect—they were able to vote on proposals about the protocol, but the token itself didn’t accrue any value from the protocol.

That's where the narrative begins to shift. A recent proposal, now approved, means UNI token holders will start receiving a portion of the fees Uniswap collects from transactions.

This is a pivotal moment, not just for UNI holders but for the broader landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi) and governance tokens overall.

Here's why this matters to you, as financial advisors in the crypto sphere:

1. Regulatory Implications: Traditionally, governance tokens skirted the classification as securities because they offered no claim on assets or profits. This new model of fee distribution could blur those lines. It's vital to keep an eye on how regulators respond, as it could affect where and how these tokens are traded.

2. Value Proposition: This shift introduces a tangible value to UNI tokens, transitioning from purely speculative assets based on potential governance impact to ones with real, calculable income streams. This could pave the way for more sophisticated fundamental analysis in valuing DeFi tokens, much like we analyze traditional investments.

3. Market Dynamics: The move by Uniswap could set a precedent, encouraging other DeFi protocols to explore similar transitions. This opens up discussions on the future of token valuation, the role of token holders, and the integration of DeFi assets into broader investment strategies.

4. Investment Strategies: For advisors, this development offers a new angle for advising clients interested in DeFi. Understanding the mechanics of tokenomics, governance, and now fee distribution becomes crucial. It's about navigating the complexities of these assets, understanding their risk profiles, and how they fit into diversified portfolios.

Learn from other financial advisors, and get FREE access to the world’s largest crypto conference!

Consensus is the world’s largest crypto conference, and this year, we’re planning a whole day for Financial Advisors and RIAs.

Speakers and panels about how to implement crypto in your practice, and how to have conversations with clients, from other advisors. As well as talks from Traditional Finance leaders who are implementing crypto management.

Best part - as an advisor, you get in free.

Even bester part - if you go to the FA/RIA day, you get into ALL of Consensus for free. A $1,400 value.

Use this button to register with CoinDesk, and we hope to see you there.

We Launched a Podcast!

Years ago we had a podcast about crypto and DeFi, and we decided to re-launch the Interaxis Podcast. Now we’re talking about the happenings in crypto, and how they affect you, the financial advisor.

If you’re enjoying this, tell your friends. Always something happening in crypto and we’ll break it down for you.

See you next week!

-Adam