Uniswap Labs Debuts Layer-2 Network, Constructed Utilizing Optimism OP Infrastructure
In a significant move towards improving the decentralized finance (DeFi) trading experience, Uniswap Labs, the developers behind the popular Uniswap platform, have launched a new layer-2 network named UniChain. Built using the Optimism OP Stack, UniChain is designed to address Ethereum's scalability issues and enhance decentralized trading capabilities.
UniChain's purpose is to serve as a scalable, efficient infrastructure that supports Uniswap's decentralized exchange ecosystem by enabling faster and cheaper transactions compared to the Ethereum mainnet. This is expected to improve trading experiences and liquidity provision.
The key features of UniChain include:
- Layer-2 scalability using Optimism OP Stack: UniChain leverages Optimism's modular OP Stack technology to optimize transaction processing, significantly reducing gas fees and increasing throughput.
- Integration with Uniswap protocol: It is designed to be the primary network for Uniswap v4, concentrating a large share of Uniswap trades (about 75%), which enhances liquidity and trading efficiency on Layer 2.
- Modular liquidity infrastructure: UniChain supports advanced features like programmable liquidity through Uniswap v4, offering more flexible and efficient on-chain trading options.
- Focus on decentralization and accessibility: By operating as a permissionless, scalable Layer 2, UniChain aligns with Uniswap Labs’ commitment to build a robust decentralized trading infrastructure accessible globally without compromising security or trustlessness.
Hayden Adams, the inventor of Uniswap and CEO of Uniswap Labs, stated that the inspiration for building UniChain was to make transactions feel instant. He further added that the reduction in transaction time from two seconds to 250 milliseconds is impactful.
UniChain is expected to bring transparency to transaction ordering, but the specific technology used to build the trusted execution environment (TEE) remains undisclosed. The press release did not provide information on when the TEE will be available on the UniChain network.
Uniswap Labs collaborated with Flashbots to build a TEE, aiming to improve user experiences. However, the exact technology used to build the TEE is yet to be disclosed.
Uniswap Labs is not the only exchange platform venturing into layer-2 networks. Coinbase has built its own layer-2 network, Base, on Ethereum, while OKX launched the public mainnet for X Layer in April, using Polygon.
Uniswap believes that UniChain will help speed up transactions, increase liquidity, and lower trading fees. The company aims for UniChain to become a DeFi hub for many chains, as part of many chains forming a Superchain on Optimism.
The search results do not provide more detailed technical specs, but UniChain appears central to Uniswap’s Layer 2 strategy as of mid-2025, supporting its growing on-chain volume and DeFi ecosystem growth. UniChain is scheduled to go live on a private test network on Thursday, according to a press release.
- In alignment with their commitment to enhancing the decentralized trading experience, Uniswap Labs' new initiative, UniChain, aims to bring the news of faster and cheaper transactions to the technology-driven Uniswap ecosystem.
- Confident in its ability to serve as a scalable, efficient infrastructure, UniChain, Uniswap Labs' layer-2 network, aspires to become a hub for decentralized finance (DeFi) and advance beyond just being a key feature in technology-driven trading ecosystems.
