Crypto: UNI Rises 15% After Key Uniswap Fee Vote

In 24 hours, the Uniswap UNI token climbs about 15%, compared to +4.7% for Bitcoin and +8.5% for Ethereum over the same period. This movement follows a governance vote aiming to expand the fee capture mechanism of the crypto protocol. More details below !

Uniswap activates fees on 8 new crypto blockchains

The vote proposes to extend the fee switch to 8 additional blockchains. A mechanism that will redirect a portion of crypto trading fees to the protocol’s treasury.

So far, activation was done pool by pool. The new system thus introduces a v3 model with automatic tiers via the v3OpenFeeAdapter. Result:

• automatic fee activation on all new v3 pools ;
• uniform application based on the fee level ;
• reduced governance interventions.

The financial impact already attracts crypto investors. Estimates cite an additional $27 million in annualized revenues. This amount adds to the $34 million already generated via the fee switch reintroduced at the end of 2025.

A crypto now indexed to DeFi revenues

After years without significant income for holders, Uniswap shows a turning point. In Q1 2026, the crypto protocol recorded $3.12 million in gross profit according to DeFi Llama. Previous periods showed practically zero net income.

The vote, split into two onchain transactions due to technical limits, consolidates Uniswap’s transformation into a multi-chain crypto protocol generating cash flow.

This evolution raises a strategic question. A fee increase could indeed affect competitiveness on layer-2 networks. Excessive cost pressure could shift liquidity to competing DEXs.

Despite this risk, the crypto market seems to welcome the change. The fact is that the 15% rise in the UNI token reflects a clear anticipation: DeFi is entering a phase where real revenue streams matter as much as speculation.

In any case, Uniswap could redefine crypto protocol valuation if the vote is confirmed. For some experts, this evolution goes beyond UNI: the whole DeFi could enter an era where cash flow, profitability, and governance weigh as much as technological innovation.