Quick Take

• Uniswap launches Uni V4.

• Ƒlaunch launches on Base.

• Lido’s CSM goes permissionless.

• UBS tests a ZKsync Validium.

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Uniswap Launches Uni V4

Uniswap launched Uni V4, the latest iteration of its DEX, introducing hooks for enhanced customizability. Uni V4 is now live on ten networks, including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, OP Mainnet, Base, and World Chain. Users can now deposit liquidity into v4 pools through the Uniswap web app, while swap functionality will roll out in the coming days as liquidity migrates to v4. Hooks are smart contracts that enable custom functionality for liquidity pools, allowing for features like native dynamic fees, onchain limit orders, and time-weighted average market maker (TWAMM) orders. Uni V4 also introduces gas optimizations, making pool creation and multi-hop swaps significantly cheaper. Uniswap v4 underwent nine audits and a $2.35 million security competition.

Ƒlaunch Launches On Base

Ƒlaunch, one of the first protocols powered by Uniswap V4, is now live on Base. Ƒlaunch enables anyone to launch, buy, and sell meme coins. The platform features automated buybacks and an internal swap pool (ISP) that pays LPs in ETH, reducing coin sell pressure. It also leverages Uniswap v4 hooks to lend liquidity on Aave. Flaunch introduces Fixed Price Fair Launches, preventing early price manipulation, and allows developers to customize revenue sharing configurations. Revenue ownership is tokenized as NFTs that can be transferred or sold. Other protocols leveraging Univ4 include onchain markets platforms Sorella Labs and Whetstone Research.

Lido CSM Goes Permissionless

Lido’s Community Staking Module (CSM) is now permissionless, allowing any solo staker, DAO, or DVT cluster to run validators through the Lido Protocol. The module lowers the barrier for stakers by allowing participation with a collateral stake of 2.4 ETH for the first validator and 1.3 ETH for additional validators. The Node Operator cap has also been removed. Operators using CSM can earn higher rewards compared to traditional solo staking. A key component of the Lido CSM is the Staking Router, a controller contract designed to integrate modular validator pools. Over 330 independent node operators have joined the Lido CSM.

UBS Tests Product On ZKsync Validium

UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, tested a ZKsync Validium for its UBS Key4 Gold proof of concept, a tokenized fractional gold investment product. The bank leveraged a ZKsync Validium for its scalability, privacy, and interoperability, benefiting from ultra-low-cost transactions with offchain data storage enables by the Validium. The test involved gold token issuance, transaction processing, and reconciliation, aiming to explore whether Validium could enhance UBS' existing private blockchain, the UBS Gold Network. In December 2024, German bank Deutsche Bank revealed developments of its own Layer-2 network built on ZKsync’s ZK Stack.

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