Uniswap’s governance decision to approve $165.5 million in funding has sparked a surge in UNI token price, which has jumped by over 10% in the last 24 hours. The live price of UNI now stands at $7.01, with a trading volume of approximately $292 million.
The price increase reflects growing optimism among investors as the long-discussed “fee switch” initiative moves closer to activation. Additionally, the open interest in UNI derivatives has seen a significant rise, marking a 17.69% increase, reaching $196.96 million.
Uniswap Foundation Secures Funding for Ecosystem Growth
The Uniswap community has voted in favor of two governance proposals that allocate $165.5 million in funding. This capital will help support the growth of the Uniswap ecosystem following the launch of Uniswap v4 and the Unichain Layer 2 network.
Of this amount, $95.4 million will be directed towards the Uniswap Foundation’s grants budget, and $45 million will be set aside for liquidity incentives. The remaining $25.1 million will go towards operational costs for the next two years.
The Uniswap Foundation is an independent non-profit organization responsible for overseeing the growth of the protocol. The decision to allocate substantial funds to ecosystem development is aimed at increasing the network’s scalability and creating new opportunities for growth. The foundation’s long-term goal is to transition Uniswap from a decentralized exchange into a platform that can also cater to developers and bring significant value to the Uniswap community.
Liquidity Incentives to Support Uniswap v4 and Unichain Growth
Part of the funding will be used to establish liquidity incentives for the newly launched Uniswap v4 and Unichain platforms. Gauntlet, a Web3 risk management protocol, will manage these incentives to draw in new users and maintain growth across both networks.
The proposal also includes developer-focused campaigns designed to sustain ecosystem expansion and encourage further participation from the broader community.
Uniswap v4, launched in mid-January 2025, introduced the concept of “hooks” or contracts that allow developers to customize interactions within pools, swaps, and fees. The launch of Unichain, built on the Optimism tech stack, further enhances Uniswap’s scalability by providing a Layer 2 network that can support more transactions at lower fees.
Fee Switch Moves Closer to Reality, Potentially Reshaping Revenue Distribution
One of the most significant aspects of the governance decision is the advancement of the long-awaited “fee switch.” This would direct a portion of protocol fees, currently earned by liquidity providers, towards UNI token holders. This change has been eagerly awaited by the community, as earlier proposals to activate the fee switch were unsuccessful.
The Uniswap Foundation has stated that it will now proceed with the necessary legal steps to activate this switch.
Subsequently, the Uniswap fee switch would enable UNI token holders to earn protocol revenue, which has been a major topic of discussion within the community. Over $1 billion in annualized fees have been generated by the Uniswap protocol, and this shift would allow token holders to capture a portion of that revenue. The activation of the fee switch represents a significant step in Uniswap’s ongoing efforts to align the interests of its governance members with the protocol’s long-term success.
Ethereum will launch the Hoodi testnet on March 17, addressing Pectra testing issues encountered on the Holesky and Sepolia testnets.
This move comes as developers work to troubleshoot bugs that could potentially delay the Sepolia fork.
Ethereum Unveils Hoodi Testnet for Pectra Testing
The Ethereum network has been working on the Pectra upgrade to introduce key Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). These proposals will enhance staking mechanisms and improve the wallet user experience.
However, Ethereum conducts tests in the run-up to its various EIPs. These probes ensure seamless upgrades and mainnet launches, citing methodical testing strategies.
However, in a February 25 post, Christine Kim, a researcher at Galaxy, highlighted the challenges faced in the testing phase of Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade.
“Pectra is live on Holesky…Seeing a slight uptick in missed blocks but the network participation rate looks strong…some client teams are reporting issues with invalid blocks in the Eth R&D discord… lots more missed blocks and the network isn’t finalizing…Devs are troubleshooting what the issues are. Depending on the scale of the bugs, devs could delay the Sepolia fork… network is still not finalizing, the participation rate has dropped to ~50%,” Kim explained.
To establish whether these creases have been ironed out, Ethereum will launch the Hoodi testnet on Monday, March 17. If testing on Hoodi proves successful, the Pectra upgrade could go live on Ethereum’s mainnet by late April. However, according to Tim Beiko, a key Ethereum developer, delays extending into May remain possible.
“A new testnet, Hoodi, is going live Monday to wrap up Pectra testing. If you need to test validator exits, be on the lookout for it! Everything else can be tested on Sepolia & Holesky. Pectra will be scheduled 30+ days after Hoodi forks successfully, pending infra and client testing. Fusaka planning will run in parallel, with a deadline of March 24 to propose EIPs, and a tentative date of April 10 for a scope freeze,” Beiko articulated.
Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade timeline. Source: Tim Beiko on X
This means that the Ethereum Pectra Upgrade is contingent on successful testing on Hoodi after previous testnets. With the Hoodi testnet slated for March 17 and Pectra Upgrade at least 30 days thereafter, the update could go live as soon as April 17 or later. Some users expressed dissatisfaction with this delay.
“Pectra delayed by a month. Core devs really can’t ship anything in time,” one user remarked.
Nevertheless, others seemed unsurprised by the timeline, an understanding that likely appreciates the rigorousness of delivering seamless mainnet launches. The launch of the Hoodi testnet next week represents a crucial step in ensuring the stability and effectiveness of the Pectra upgrade.
With developer scrutiny intensifying and planned improvements in staking and user experience, Ethereum’s roadmap focuses on long-term scalability and security enhancements for its network.
“I’m stoked this could make ETH even sharper and more efficient,” a user on X remarked.
Fusaka, the next major upgrade, will follow in 2026. While details remain scarce, Fusaka promises to refine Ethereum’s scalability and efficiency further. This will advance the network’s evolution toward greater usability and adoption.
Ripple is growing its presence in the Middle East. The company recently partnered up with two new partners in the UAE, Zand Bank and Mamo. This is just months after getting its license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in March. These partnerships will help Ripple push to play a bigger role in the region’s cross-border payments space. Ripple Expands in UAE With New Local Partnerships Now that it holds a DFSA license, the company is focusing on this growth through Ripple Payments. This platform is designed to deliver quick, low-cost international transfers using blockchain. Zand Bank, which is a digital-first financial institution, will use Ripple’s technology to upgrade its payments system. The bank also plans to launch a stablecoin tied to the UAE dirham (AED) to embrace blockchain more deeply. UAE fintech startup Mamo is also tapping Ripple’s system to make cross-border payments faster and more dependable. “We… Read More at Coingape.com
Welcome to the US Crypto News Morning Briefing—your essential rundown of the most important developments in crypto for the day ahead.
Grab a coffee as we discuss the growing influence of stablecoin issuers in the US Treasury market. With growing institutional adoption and regulatory legitimization of US dollar-pegged stablecoins, experts warn of artificial inflation of demand for the dollar.
Crypto News of the Day: Using Government Debt Instruments To Back Digital Dollars is Risky, Keiser Warns
The influence of stablecoin issuers in the US is growing, so much that Tether, which already issues the USDT stablecoin, plans to launch a US-only stablecoin by 2025. Tether aims to position stablecoins as strategic financial tools under the Trump administration.
Stablecoin supply by issuer in billions of US dollars. Source: Bain & Company
This chart shows Tether’s dominance in the stablecoin market, with overall supply going from $2 billion to more than $200 billion in recent years.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury projects stablecoins could reach a $2 trillion market by 2028, which could attract more players.
Nevertheless, as stablecoin influence in the Treasury market grows, the House Financial Services Committee is concerned.
Perhaps, however, the greater concern is stablecoin issuers’ using Treasury yields to buy Bitcoin. According to experts, this could undermine US government reserves.
A recent US Crypto News publication indicated reports of stablecoin issuers using Treasury yields to buy Bitcoin. Some say this could undermine initiatives like the proposed US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which aims to bolster national holdings of the pioneer crypto.
Growing Influence of Stablecoin Issuers in US Treasuries Market is Concerning, Max Keiser Says
Among them is Bitcoin pioneer Max Keiser, who voiced concerns over the growing influence of stablecoin issuers in the US Treasury market. Keiser warns that their use of government debt instruments to back digital dollars may have broader implications for the global financial system.
As of Q1 2025, Tether reported holding nearly $120 billion in short-term US Treasury securities and reverse repos. This makes it one of the largest non-sovereign holders of American government debt.
Meanwhile, Circle, issuer of USDC, disclosed more than $22 billion in Treasury bills in a February 2025 attestation.
These holdings collateralize dollar-pegged stablecoins, helping issuers maintain liquidity and trust. The issuers benefit from the interest income generated by the bonds.
While this practice is common and legal, Keiser contends it contributes to deeper systemic issues tied to fiat currency dynamics.
“This is exactly why the stablecoin issuers are buying Bitcoin, this is called a speculative attack on the US dollar. Feeding the debt spiral with fiat stablecoins, buying treasury bills, and then investing the interest into Bitcoin, allowing the stablecoin issuers to buy billions in Bitcoin for free,” Keiser told BeInCrypto.
Stablecoin issuers purchase US debt on secondary markets and earn interest, which they may or may not deploy into digital assets like Bitcoin. Keiser is critical of the broader financial architecture underpinning stablecoins.
“Issuing new stablecoins backed by US T-bills printed out of thin air is not a monetary system, but a financial hologram,” he said.
US Treasury bills are debt instruments issued by the federal government and sold to investors, including private companies like Tether and Circle, through regulated markets. These stablecoin issuers tokenize existing fiat currency held in reserve.
Keiser elaborated on what he sees as the long-term consequences of this model.
“It’s a speculative attack by private banks. It is financial repression, pushing rates down as ‘malinvestments’ increase. It is rinse and repeat,” he explained.
His critique also extends to the broader outlook for the US dollar, which, according to the Bitcoin pioneer, “is a quick, deadly fix; a USD hospice. Cue the final death throes of the US dollar.”
BeInCrypto has contacted Circle and Tether for comment and will update this article if they respond.
Max Keiser Proposes AI To Invent Novel Security Structures
Keiser also highlighted what he views as an emerging trend. He said high-profile investors and technologists use artificial intelligence (AI) and novel corporate strategies to increase Bitcoin exposure.
The Bitcoin maxi referenced Strategy Executive Chair Michael Saylor and investor-turned-politician Vivek Ramaswamy.
“Financial engineers like Michael Saylor and Vivek Ramaswamy are using AI to invent novel security structures to maximize the Bitcoin Treasury model. Vivek Ramaswamy plans to take his company, Strive Asset Management, public by merging with Asset Entities and starting to accumulate Bitcoin using the model that Saylor’s Strategy has already successfully adopted — using proceeds from stock and debt issuance,” Keiser remarked.
Though no confirmed public filings detailing Ramaswamy’s use of AI in this context, Keiser sees these developments as significant.
“The results are redefining finance globally and adding significantly to the Bitcoin demand. OG’s like myself, who have watched Bitcoin outperform everything for 15 years, are seeing, for the first time, investment strategies that are outperforming Bitcoin, and the implications are profound,” he said
Keiser believes such strategies could push Bitcoin’s market value even higher. He also implied that the extraordinary compounding rates of the past could be extended. This sentiment comes as Bitcoin captures more of the total addressable market and scales even higher price points.
The views expressed are those of Max Keiser and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BeInCrypto.
Chart of the Day
International holdings of US Treasuries in billions of dollars. Source: Bain & Company
This chart shows that stablecoins have become a large holder in US treasuries.
Byte-Sized Alpha
Here’s a summary of more US crypto news to follow today:
