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Transforming DeFi: The Strategic Leap of Unichain

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6 månader sedan

den

16 oktober, 2024

• Uniswap Labs announced Unichain, whose testnet launched on October 10 and mainnet is launching in November, relying on the tech infrastructure from Ethereum layer-2 Optimism’s OP Stack, and block builder Flashbots.

• Unichain is a DeFi-specific scalability solution aiming to offer a universal liquidity hub, with an emphasis on transaction speed and superior security.

• Uniswap’s token UNI will be used, or staked, to validate Unichain transactions and earn part of the network’s sequencer fees – of which the stack will be decentralized using what’s known as the Unichain Validation Network.

• This is a key development, as it will transform UNI from a governance token into a utility token, thereby completely changing its investment case.

Uniswap is the crypto market’s largest decentralized exchange (DEX) and the pioneer of the crypto-native automated market maker (AMM), which later became an industry standard for most DEXs. While Uniswap has maintained over 46% of the market share, its dominance has been eaten away by emerging DEXs, as shown below in Figure 1, that offer revenue sharing with token holders rather than just for liquidity providers.

Figure 1 – Decentralized Exchanges Volume

Source: Dune

Driven by this increasing competition, Uniswap Labs revealed Unichain, a Layer 2 (L2) Superchain, built using OP Stack, which is a modular, open-source software stack developed by Optimism, one of Ethereum’s leading scalability solutions. The primary goal of the OP Stack is to create scalable, secure, and interoperable blockchains, with Unichain being a prime example.

What is Unichain?

In essence, it’s a DeFi-centric Ethereum scaling solution designed to cater to users’ financial activities. By integrating advanced cross-chain functionality through technologies like cross-chain intents (ERC-7683), which we’ll delve into later, and the LayerZero bridge, Unichain addresses key challenges in the DeFi ecosystem:

Transaction Speed: Block times are reduced to one second, with plans for 250ms sub-blocks – faster than many other L2s.
Cost Efficiency: Transaction costs are projected to decrease by approximately 95% compared to Ethereum’s Layer 1, as can be observed below in Figure 2.
Cross-Chain Liquidity: Unichain aims to create a unified ecosystem for seamless multi-chain asset trading, all whilst abstracting the technology’s complexity away from the user. Otherwise, users are required to utilize third-party bridging solutions and asset wrappers, which exposes them to heightened smart-contract risk.
Incentive Structure: A robust reward system that compensates both token holders and liquidity providers for their liquidity and security contributions.

While Unichain aims to tackle liquidity fragmentation across networks, this gradual process will stretch beyond the initial mainnet launch. The protocol will need to incentivize users and liquidity providers to migrate their liquidity to Unichain as the premier network over time. Thus, liquidity fragmentation could worsen in the short term as this reorganization takes place.

Figure 2 – Average transaction speed vs. Fees of Ethereum’s Layer 2s

Source: Dune

What makes Unichain stand out?

Interoperable and a Multi-Chain Cohesive Ecosystem:
The quest of lowering transaction costs came at the expense of fragmented liquidity, complicating the user experience. Unichain is designed to simplify swapping across different chains. They worked with OP Labs, the builders behind Optimism (Ethereum’s third largest L2 by TVL of $680M), to make it easy to send messages between L2s in the Optimism Superchain using the network’s stack native interoperability technology. For other chains, Uniswap Labs is improving cross-chain compatibility through initiatives like the Cross-Chain Intents standard, known as ERC-7683.

In this view, Unichain’s Total Addressable Market can have a target of $4.9B, illustrated below in Figure 3.

Figure 3 – UNI’s TVL Across Chains

Source: DeFiLlama

What is ERC-7683, and what is its impact?

Introduced in April 2024, the Cross-Chain Intents standard enhances blockchain interoperability by standardizing off-chain messages and on-chain settlement. This framework simplifies cross-network transactions for users, allowing them to submit a general request—such as swapping Token X on Ethereum for Token Y on Arbitrum—without needing to choose specific bridges, DEXs or solutions. Once a request is made, specialized agents called ”fillers” compete to execute the transaction efficiently. This approach streamlines the process, making it easier for users to trade across several networks like they would in a traditional fintech application that has multiple currency accounts, all whilst fostering competition among service providers across the crypto ecosystem. This will ultimately improve the user experience, which is one of the most important factors in driving mainstream adoption.

Vertical Integration:

Unichain represents a strategic shift in Uniswap’s operational model, enhancing its control over revenue streams and transaction processing. By evolving into an execution network similar to Base and Arbitrum, Unichain now captures additional value through:

o Transaction / Gas Fees – previously allocated to the networks Uniswap lives on. As shown below in Figure 4, Uniswap will be able to preserve about close to $374M in fees, once they’re able to settle these transitions on its own network.

Figure 4 – Uniswap Economics by Blockchain

Source: TheDeFiReport, TokenTerminal

o Swap fees: allocated to liquidity providers (LPs), which had previously been managed and distributed to contributors.

o Front-end fees: the protocol’s only source of revenue that it retains. It has already been in place and managed by the exchange’s front-end interface, as shown below in Figure 5. Uniswap has generated close to $50M in front-end fees since inception.

o Maximal Extractable Value (MEV): previously absorbed by the networks Uniswap was deployed on. Unichain could retain a significant portion of the $83B paid on Ethereum if they had internalized MEV from the offset, as seen below in Figure 5.

Figure 5 – Total Volume of Sandwich attacks on Ethereum, via Uniswap

Source: Dune

This transformation allows Uniswap to optimize its revenue structure and maintain greater oversight of the entire transaction lifecycle, from execution to settlement. The new model not only improves Uniswap’s economic efficiency but also positions it to offer enhanced services and potentially lower costs for users, all while retaining more value within its ecosystem. Uniswap’s substantial DEX volume across multiple networks, as illustrated in Figure 6, positions the new network for significant growth. By consolidating this activity within its ecosystem, Unichain stands to benefit from a powerful network effects.

Figure 6 – Uniswap Volume Across Different Chains

Source: Dune

Unichain’s architecture also enhances the platform’s capabilities with features like fair transaction ordering, which helps prevent market manipulation strategies such as front-running and back-running. Additionally, by utilizing a dedicated validator set on Ethereum, Unichain can effectively mitigate toxic flows, thereby reducing Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) losses, which we talk about next, helping to foster a fairer trading environment.

Lower MEV Loss: Unichain’s collaboration with Flashbots introduces an advanced block production system that enhances market efficiency and mitigates MEV concerns. By utilizing Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), this system achieves faster block times, improved transaction ordering transparency, and reduced failed transactions. While TEEs do not replace decentralized consensus, they provide enhanced trust and security compared to traditional block builders. This approach effectively limits validators’ ability to manipulate transaction order for profit, creating a more equitable environment.
Unichain Validation Network: UNI stakers will form a decentralized network of full nodes that replace the actions of the centralized sequencer. Overall, they will provide several key benefits, including:

o Enhanced Decentralization: An additional layer of security that allows independent nodes of operators (token stakers) to verify the state of the blockchain – helping to reduce the risks associated with single sequencer architecture commonly found in other L2 solutions.

o Faster Finality: Quicker settlement of cross-chain transactions, driven by the flashblock technology.

o Increased Token Utility: Instead of simply serving as a governance token, UNI will now play a critical part in the ecosystem. Validators will have to stake the token to participate in the network validation – allowing token holders and not just liquidity providers to earn rewards.

So, what does that mean for Uniswap, Ethereum and the other L2s Uniswap was deployed on?

Unichain’s launch will introduce seamless cross-chain swaps directly through the Uniswap Interface and Wallet, significantly enhancing accessibility to cross-chain markets and their liquidity.

The platform will utilize UNI tokens for network security, with staking occurring on the Ethereum mainnet. This integration increases UNI’s utility and potential demand. However, it’s important to note that the staking yield from transaction fees is distinct from the pending fee switch affecting the broader Uniswap community. Both mechanisms serve to incentivize token holders.

Unichain’s introduction may signal a shift towards app-specific chains retaining substantial user activity. This could create a network effect, attracting more users and liquidity and potentially drawing in other DeFi protocols focused on multi-network presence rather than developing proprietary chains. As seen below, Uniswap has about 14M cumulative users spread across the multiple networks it is deployed on, depicted below in Figure 7. Thus, consolidating this user base could create an unmatched DeFi hub.

Figure 7 – Uniswap Users and New Users

Source: Dune

For Ethereum, Unichain’s launch may lead to a reduction in revenue, as Uniswap has been a significant contributor to transaction fees on the mainnet. Consequently, this could further decrease Ethereum’s deflationary activity. However, if an explosion of activity occurs, we can expect a surge in the amount of ETH used by L2s to settle their activity on the mainnet.

To recap, Uniswap’s evolution into Unichain represents a pivotal shift for the UNI token, transforming it from a governance-focused asset into a multifaceted, value-generating instrument. This transition elevates UNI’s status in the crypto ecosystem, positioning it competitively alongside established proof-of-stake tokens like ETH.

What’s happening this week?

Source: Forex Factory, 21Shares

Research Newsletter

Each week the 21Shares Research team will publish our data-driven insights into the crypto asset world through this newsletter. Please direct any comments, questions, and words of feedback to research@21shares.com

Disclaimer

The information provided does not constitute a prospectus or other offering material and does not contain or constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction. Some of the information published herein may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The information contained herein may not be considered as economic, legal, tax or other advice and users are cautioned to base investment decisions or other decisions solely on the content hereof.

Liknande ämnen:21Shares Optimism Unichain Uniswap

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CEBX ETF köper dollardenominerade fastränteobligationer

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5LES ETP ger fem gånger den omvända avkastningen på Euro Stoxx 50

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Europafokuserade ETPer ser större andel av flödena under första kvartalet

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42 minuter sedan

den

25 april, 2025

Redaktionen

HANetf har släppt sin rapport om börshandlade europeiska ETPer för första kvartalet 2025, som avslöjar banbrytande insikter i den snabba utvecklingen av den europeiska ETF-marknaden.

Tillgångar i europeiska ETPer nådde 2,4 biljoner dollar under första kvartalet, varav ETFer stod för 2,28 biljoner dollar. Kärnaktions-ETFer ledde flödena (45,70 miljarder dollar) medan räntebärande ETFer ökade med 15,19 miljarder dollar.

Viktiga data

Europeiska ETPer överstiger 2,4 biljoner dollar i förvaltat kapital under första kvartalet 2025
Flöden omdirigerades till Europafokuserade ETPer jämfört med USA-fokuserade mitt i tullkrisen
Kärnaktions-ETFer överstiger milstolpen på 1 biljon dollar i förvaltat kapital med 45,70 miljarder dollar i nettoflöden under första kvartalet
Aktiva ETFer i förvaltat kapital ökade med 11,65 % under första kvartalet och optionsbaserade ETFer i förvaltat kapital med 54,55 %.
Antalet europeiska ETP-varumärken fortsätter att öka och uppgår nu till totalt 131.
Europa godkänner semitransparenta ETFer, vilket potentiellt uppmuntrar fler aktiva förvaltare i USA att gå in på den europeiska ETF-marknaden.
Försvars-ETFer såg flöden på 4,16 miljarder dollar under första kvartalet, vilket motsvarar 4,5 % av de totala ETF-flödena i Europa och en 5-faldig ökning jämfört med föregående kvartal.

Läs hela rapporten för att upptäcka kvartalsdata, ETF-marknadens utveckling, tillväxten inom nya områden som optionsbaserade ETFer och mer.

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JAAA ETF an aktiv satsning på säkerställda obligationer

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2 timmar sedan

den

25 april, 2025

Redaktionen

Janus Henderson Tabula USD AAA CLO UCITS ETF USD Acc (JAAA ETF) med ISIN LU2994520851 är en aktivt förvaltad börshandlad fond. Denna ETF ger tillgång till USD CLO:er (collateralised loan obligations) med AAA-rating.

Den börshandlade fondens TER (total expense ratio) uppgår till 0,35 % per år. Ränteintäkterna (kupongerna) i ETFen ackumuleras och återinvesteras.

Den börshandlade fonden lanserades den 26 mars 2025 och har sitt säte i Luxemburg.

En högkvalitativ aktiv USD CLO ETF

En börshandlad fond med collateralised loan obligations som erbjuder ett övertygande alternativ till företag med investment grade-betyg. AAA CLOer syftar till att erbjuda högre avkastning och större kreditspread* för en tillgång av bättre kvalitet med liten känslighet för räntevolatilitet.

*Skillnaden i avkastning mellan värdepapper med liknande löptid men olika kreditkvalitet, ofta använd för att beskriva skillnaden i avkastning mellan företagsobligationer och statsobligationer. Vidgade spreadar indikerar generellt en försämrad kreditvärdighet hos företagslåntagare, medan en minskning indikerar en förbättring.

Investeringsprocess

Fonden kommer att investera minst 80 % av sitt substansvärde i godtagbara CLO:er (Contract Loans) med valfri löptid som har kreditbetyget AAA (eller motsvarande av ett nationellt erkänt kreditvärderingsinstitut) vid köptillfället, med fokus på USD CLO:er. Om värdepapper i portföljen nedgraderas till under ett kreditbetyg på AAA (eller motsvarande), kommer investeringsförvaltaren att sträva efter att sälja de relevanta värdepapperen så snart som rimligen är möjligt, förutsatt att förvaltaren bedömer att det är i investerarnas bästa intresse.

Portföljförvaltningsstrategier och synpunkter utvecklas med input från diskussioner inom Janus Hendersons CLO-portföljförvaltningsteam och den bredare räntebärande gruppen. Analytiker tilldelas att undersöka specifika möjligheter (inträde, utträde eller annat) och fokusera på de vägledande principerna för att bygga en djup förståelse för säkerheter (typ, jurisdiktion, historisk utveckling), motparter (förvaltare, serviceföretag, hedgeleverantörer), kontroll (juridisk, innehavarens rättigheter, kontroll i fallissemang), kassaflöde (förväntat, stressat, allokering). Som en del av denna process beaktas specifikt EU:s värdepapperiseringsregler. Denna interna forskning kompletteras med data från kreditvärderingsinstitut, investeringsbanker, oberoende analys- och värdepapperiseringsdataleverantörer. Alla rekommendationer är föremål för en minsta granskning med fyra ögon innan de verkställs.

Investeringsmål

Fonden strävar efter att ge avkastning från en kombination av inkomst och kapitaltillväxt på lång sikt genom att investera i en aktivt förvaltad portfölj av AAA-rankade collateralised loan obligations (CLOs). Fonden förvaltas aktivt med hänvisning till J.P. Morgan Collateralized Loan Obligation Index AAA (CLOIE AAA). Delfondens portfölj kan avvika avsevärt från jämförelseindexet.

Handla JAAA ETF

Janus Henderson Tabula USD AAA CLO UCITS ETF USD Acc (JAAA ETF) är en europeisk börshandlad kryptovaluta som handlas på London Stock Exchange.

London Stock Exchange är en marknads som få svenska banker och nätmäklare erbjuder access till, men DEGIRO gör det.

Börsnoteringar

Börs	Valuta	Kortnamn
London Stock Exchange	USD	JAAA

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Can crypto outperform amidst the current market turmoil?

Publicerad

3 timmar sedan

den

25 april, 2025

Redaktionen

Financial markets have been roiled by President Trump’s tariff policies, leading to sharp volatility across asset classes. US equities have taken the brunt of it, with the S&P 500 down as much as 20% from its January highs. Bond markets are also unstable, reflecting shifting expectations around 2025 interest rates.

This wave of macroeconomic uncertainty has made it harder to detect underlying investment trends—especially in crypto. Despite its independence from direct government influence, digital assets haven’t been immune to the turbulence. But while volatility has hit traditional markets hard, crypto has once again shown resilience, underpinned by improving fundamentals and a strengthening regulatory backdrop.

What we’ve learned since November

In the wake of President Trump’s election in November, digital assets were hitting all-time highs. But instead of urging investors to chase returns, we warned against getting swept away by the “FOMO” mindset that often happens with investors in this asset class. Our message was simple: stick to your target allocation and avoid overexposure after sharp price increases. This approach is designed to help investors benefit from crypto’s long-term asymmetric potential without succumbing to emotional swings.

Even before the election the Nasdaq Crypto Index™ (NCI™) had already risen nearly 50% for the year (as of October 31, 2024). Trump’s win added fuel to the fire, boosting optimism that US crypto regulation could finally turn a corner. By year-end, the NCI™ had more than doubled, closing with a 105% gain.

That bullish momentum continued into early 2025, driven by post-halving optimism, improving adoption metrics, and the tailwinds of Trump’s return. However, the tariff shock has since erased much of crypto’s post-election gains, reigniting questions about the asset class’s staying power in a chaotic macro environment. While further corrections are possible, we believe this phase represents another one of those important long-term entry points—just as we’ve seen before.

Why fundamentals still matter

It’s important to keep in mind that crypto’s value and price trajectory isn’t driven solely by macro noise. Several key forces are still working in its favor:

• Bitcoin’s 2024 halving has constrained supply, historically a key catalyst for price appreciation.

• Easing US monetary policy has provided a tailwind to risk assets across the board.

• Institutional adoption continues to grow, with more asset managers, banks, and platforms embracing digital assets in portfolios.

But perhaps the most underappreciated catalyst right now is regulatory clarity in the US. The stance toward the industry has shifted significantly. After years of mixed messages and an enforcement-first approach to regulation, US policymakers are now working toward a more coherent and constructive framework for digital assets. For example:

• There’s real momentum in Congress to pass bipartisan legislation around custody, stablecoins, and crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs)—all of which could serve as gateways for broader institutional participation.

• Regulators are seeking input from the industry, recognizing the need for practical and innovation-friendly rules.

• This policy shift isn’t just eliminating noise—it’s a structural tailwind that could accelerate adoption, investment flows, and long-term utility for digital assets.

Even amid the recent pullback, the NCI™ remains up 7.0% since Trump’s election—outperforming most risk assets and second only to gold, which is up 8.7%. In contrast, the broader “Trump rally” has fizzled in traditional markets: the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 are both down more than 10% over the same period, weighed down by tariff fears and growth uncertainty.

That divergence highlights a key point: while crypto remains exposed to global macro risks, its relative strength continues to stand out. And as the regulatory and adoption picture improves, the case for long-term crypto allocations is only growing stronger.

Looking ahead: stay disciplined, think long term

With tariffs reshaping global trade and pushing the world toward a more fragmented economic order, crypto’s borderless, decentralized, and politically neutral nature becomes increasingly relevant. It offers a hedge not only against inflation and currency debasement but also against geopolitical dislocation and systemic risk.

The excitement of late 2024 wasn’t a one-off, and neither is the current wave of fear. Crypto’s long-term role in portfolios remains intact. The temptation to react emotionally—whether by chasing peaks or fleeing during corrections—is strong. But discipline, not emotion, is what wins over time.

With regulatory clarity gaining ground and adoption continuing to advance, we believe digital assets are on solid footing—ready not only to weather the current volatility but to emerge stronger as new regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and use cases unfold in 2025.

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