Uniswap Labs opens waitlist for Uniswap Extension, a browser-based wallet extension, exclusively for uni.eth username holders. The extension simplifies Web3 experience, enabling direct token management within browsers.
Uniswap Labs has revealed that the waitlist for its latest browser-based wallet extension, Uniswap Extension, is now open exclusively for individuals who possess uni.eth usernames, obtainable via the Ethereum Name Service (ENS).
This announcement follows closely after the Uniswap Foundation, the organization overseeing Uniswap protocol development, announced plans to launch the decentralized exchange’s V4 upgrade by Q3 2024. This upgrade, based on the Dencun upgrade from Ethereum, aligns with Uniswap’s commitment to self-custody and decentralization.
The new native web browser extension enables direct token sending, receiving, buying, and swapping within a web browser, streamlining the Web3 experience for Uniswap's decentralized exchange by eliminating the need for separate apps or sign-ins through wallets like MetaMask.
Uniswap Labs describes the extension as the "first wallet to reside in your browser’s sidebar," eliminating the need for pop-ups or transaction windows. Initiatives like this aim to reduce user dependence on third-party services for essential functionalities, enhancing accessibility as the decentralized finance sector expands.
So far, over 100,000 uni.eth subdomains have been claimed for free through the Uniswap mobile app, accessible to both iOS and Android users. Note that usernames are only available on version 1.21.1 or higher of the Uniswap Wallet.
These developments follow a recent proposal from the Uniswap Foundation to radically change the reward system for staking and delegation, prioritizing rewards for "active, engaged, and thoughtful" users to address protocol stagnation concerns.
The decentralized exchange also recently deployed its Uniswap v2 on various platforms including Arbitrum, Polygon, Optimism, Base, Binance Smart Chain, and Avalanche, facilitating direct swapping and liquidity pool creation from its native interface.
UNI, the protocol’s native token, has experienced a 51.2% increase over the past week. According to data from CoinGecko, there was a significant surge in the decentralized exchange’s volume between February 23 and 24, rising from a 24-hour average of $105 million to $2 billion. However, by February 25, it had dropped to $1.5 billion, with current data indicating $539 million.
This fluctuation in volume is also reflected in the protocol’s market capitalization, which rose from $5.5 billion to $8.5 billion within the same timeframe.