What is UNI? What is the role of UNI in DeFi?

UNI, Uniswap's governance token, enables community voting on platform changes and rewards liquidity providers, enhancing DeFi accessibility and integration.

May 12, 2025 at 11:42 am

What is UNI? What is the Role of UNI in DeFi?

UNI is the native governance token of Uniswap, a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the Ethereum blockchain. Launched in September 2020, UNI plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of decentralized finance (DeFi) by enabling community governance and incentivizing participation. This article will delve into the specifics of UNI and explore its multifaceted role within the DeFi space.

The Origin and Purpose of UNI

Uniswap was initially launched in November 2018 by Hayden Adams. It quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and the ability to trade any ERC-20 token without the need for a centralized intermediary. Initially, Uniswap operated without a native token, but this changed with the introduction of UNI in September 2020. The primary purpose of UNI is to give users a say in the governance of the platform, allowing them to vote on proposals that can shape the future direction of Uniswap.

The distribution of UNI was designed to be inclusive, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens. A significant portion of these tokens was airdropped to users who had interacted with the Uniswap protocol before September 1, 2020. This move was intended to reward early adopters and encourage continued engagement with the platform.

Governance and Voting with UNI

One of the core roles of UNI in the DeFi ecosystem is to facilitate decentralized governance. UNI holders can submit and vote on proposals that affect the Uniswap protocol. This process is managed through the Uniswap governance portal, where users can create proposals and vote on them using their UNI tokens.

• Creating a Proposal: To submit a proposal, a user must hold at least 2.5 million UNI tokens. The proposal must then go through a temperature check phase, where the community can discuss and refine the proposal.
• Voting on a Proposal: Once a proposal passes the temperature check, it moves to the voting phase. UNI holders can vote on the proposal, with each UNI token representing one vote. If a proposal receives a majority of votes in favor, it is implemented into the Uniswap protocol.

This governance model ensures that the development and evolution of Uniswap are driven by its community, aligning with the decentralized ethos of DeFi.

Liquidity Provision and Rewards

Another significant role of UNI in DeFi is its use in liquidity provision. Uniswap operates on an automated market maker (AMM) model, where liquidity providers (LPs) deposit pairs of tokens into liquidity pools. In return, LPs receive a portion of the trading fees generated by the pool.

• Providing Liquidity: To become a liquidity provider, users must deposit an equal value of two tokens into a Uniswap pool. In return, they receive UNI-V2 tokens, which represent their share of the pool.
• Earning Rewards: LPs earn a portion of the 0.3% trading fee that Uniswap charges on each trade. Additionally, Uniswap has introduced UNI rewards for LPs, further incentivizing participation in the ecosystem.

This dual reward system of trading fees and UNI tokens makes liquidity provision on Uniswap an attractive option for users looking to earn passive income in the DeFi space.

UNI's Role in DeFi Integration

UNI also plays a crucial role in the broader DeFi ecosystem by facilitating integration with other DeFi protocols. Many DeFi platforms have integrated UNI into their services, allowing users to use UNI as collateral, stake it for additional rewards, or trade it on other DEXs.

• Collateral Use: Some lending platforms accept UNI as collateral for loans, allowing users to borrow against their UNI holdings.
• Staking and Yield Farming: Various DeFi protocols offer staking and yield farming opportunities for UNI, where users can lock up their tokens to earn additional rewards.
• Trading on Other DEXs: UNI's liquidity and popularity have led to its listing on numerous other decentralized exchanges, increasing its utility and accessibility within the DeFi ecosystem.

This integration enhances the utility of UNI and strengthens its position as a key player in the DeFi space.

UNI's Impact on DeFi Accessibility

The introduction of UNI has significantly impacted the accessibility of DeFi. By distributing tokens to early users and incentivizing participation through governance and liquidity rewards, Uniswap has democratized access to DeFi services.

• Inclusive Token Distribution: The airdrop of UNI to early users helped to distribute the token widely, encouraging more people to engage with the Uniswap platform and the broader DeFi ecosystem.
• User Empowerment: By giving UNI holders a say in the governance of the platform, Uniswap empowers users to shape the future of DeFi, fostering a sense of ownership and community.
• Liquidity Incentives: The dual reward system of trading fees and UNI tokens makes it more attractive for users to provide liquidity, thereby increasing the overall liquidity and efficiency of the DeFi market.

This increased accessibility has played a crucial role in the growth and adoption of DeFi, making it more inclusive and user-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I acquire UNI tokens?

A: UNI tokens can be acquired in several ways. The most common method is to purchase them on a cryptocurrency exchange that lists UNI, such as Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken. Alternatively, you can earn UNI by providing liquidity to Uniswap pools and participating in the platform's reward programs.

Q: What is the total supply of UNI tokens?

A: The total supply of UNI tokens is 1 billion. This supply is distributed over several years, with a significant portion allocated to early users, the Uniswap team, and future development initiatives.

Q: Can I use UNI tokens outside of the Uniswap platform?

A: Yes, UNI tokens can be used outside of the Uniswap platform. They can be traded on other decentralized exchanges, used as collateral on lending platforms, and staked or used in yield farming on various DeFi protocols.

Q: How does the governance process work for UNI holders?

A: The governance process for UNI holders involves submitting and voting on proposals through the Uniswap governance portal. To submit a proposal, a user must hold at least 2.5 million UNI tokens. Proposals go through a temperature check phase before moving to a voting phase, where UNI holders can vote on the proposal. If a proposal receives a majority of votes in favor, it is implemented into the Uniswap protocol.