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- 2/12/25: Uniswap's New Chain đŚđ¤Şđď¸
2/12/25: Uniswap's New Chain đŚđ¤Şđď¸

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Top News
Uniswap launches Unichain, a DeFi-optimized Layer-2
Hester Peirce says SEC lacks authority over most memecoins
Brian Quintenz, pro-crypto a16z exec, to lead CFTC

Specsâ Insights
1. Uniswap launches Unichain, a DeFi-optimized Layer-2
Unichain mainnet is live â¨
⸠Fast with low fees
⸠Built for cross-chain liquidity
⸠Prioritizes decentralization from day oneYou can now deploy DeFi apps, launch tokens, swap, provide liquidity, and more
â Unichain (@unichain)
2:02 PM ⢠Feb 11, 2025
ââŞ-⪠â A new Unicorn is born!
Just two weeks after launching Uniswap v4, Uniswap has unveiled Unichain, a new Ethereum Layer-2 designed specifically for DeFi.
Unichain launches as a Stage 1 rollup with 1-second block times and 95% lower gas fees, but this is just the beginning. Over the coming months, Uniswap plans to push blockchain scaling even further with:
Flashblocks (built with Flashbots) to cut block times to 0.25s and redistribute MEV back to users.
Seamless L2 interoperability, leveraging Uniswapâs work on intents and its partnership with Optimism.
Unichain Validation Network (UVN) to decentralize the sequencer and add staking-based security.
In just four months of testnet, Unichain already processed 100M+ transactions, and 80+ projects are live at launchâincluding Uniswap v2, v3, and v4.
While some are skeptical about yet another L2, Uniswapâs track record speaks for itself. If they pull this off, Unichain could become the go-to DeFi chain.
2. Hester Peirce says SEC lacks authority over most memecoins
NEW: HEAD OF SEC CRYPTO TASK FORCE HESTER PEIRCE SAYS âMANY OF THE MEMECOINS THAT ARE OUT THERE PROBABLY DO NOT HAVE A HOME IN THE SEC UNDER OUR CURRENT SET OF REGULATIONSâ
â DEGEN NEWS (@DegenerateNews)
9:45 PM ⢠Feb 11, 2025
ââŞ-⪠â You have no power here!
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce just signaled that most memecoinsâincluding Trumpâsâlikely donât fall under the SECâs jurisdiction.
This opens the door for a broader debate on where memecoins fit into the regulatory landscape. Some lawmakers are already discussing them as âfecal coinsâ (lol), while others suggest that the CFTC (not the SEC) may be the agency to step in.
Meanwhile, Jason Calacanis is calling to "ban these stupid f*cking memecoins,â proving that the tradfi crowd still doesn't get it.
For now, it looks like stablecoins are the first regulatory target, but memecoins wonât be far behind â congress is already discussing âfecal coinsâ.
3. Brian Quintenz, pro-crypto a16z exec, to lead CFTC
đ¨SCOOP: Three sources with direct knowledge of the matter tell me that @realDonaldTrump has chosen @BrianQuintenz, current Head of Policy at @a16z crypto and a former commissioner, to be permanent chair of the @CFTC.
No official statement from the @WhiteHouse yet, but officials⌠x.com/i/web/status/1âŚ
â Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett)
2:21 AM ⢠Feb 12, 2025
ââŞ-⪠â We have a new CFTC chair!
President Trump is expected to nominate Brian Quintenz as the next CFTC chair, according to multiple reports.
Quintenz, who currently leads crypto policy at a16z, previously served as a Republican CFTC commissioner from 2017 to 2021 and has long been one of the strongest pro-crypto voices in DC.
Heâs often compared to Hester Peirce (aka "Crypto Mom"), but now weâve got a "Crypto Dad" in the mix.
A huge win for crypto regulationâgive him a follow on X.

Everything Else
âď¸ Crypto & DeFi
LinksDAO to launch community token on Base
Fireblocks adds support for Sonyâs Soneium blockchain
World Liberty forming token reserve to bolster Bitcoin stability
Szabo revisits micropayments 25 years later
World Liberty and Ondo Finance partner to expand tokenized RWA adoption
TON Blockchain to use LayerZero for improved cross-chain functionality
Stablecoins are key to AI-driven financial automation, says Sky Protocol
Lido unveils V3 with customizable staking strategies
Plume Network picked by Superstate to power multichain expansion
Satoshi Nakamoto documentary to be released
Pi Network to launch open network on February 20
Circle mints another $205M USDC stablecoins
Santiago Santos, CryptoPunk, is building his own chain focused on G2M
Jason Calacanis calls to âban these stupid fucking memecoinsâ
đŚ Wall Street & VC
Goldman Sachs boosts Bitcoin ETF holdings to $1.5B
BitGo plans to go public as early as Q2 2025
Sol Strategies tapped for 3iQâs Solana staking ETF
Mirai Labs raises $4M for Web3 development
Fold launches Bitcoin rewards credit card
KULR expands BTC holdings to 610 BTC, reports 167% BTC yield
BitGo eyes IPO in 2025 amid crypto market revival
Bitcoin price could reach $1.5M by 2030, says Cathie Wood
đď¸ Legal & Regulatory
Oklahoma passes Bitcoin reserve bill committee vote
Fed Chair Powell calls for âfresh lookâ at debanking
Fed Chair Powell says no US CBDC under his watch
CFTC Commissioner says election markets are 'here to stay'
US House hearing reveals divides over stablecoin regulation
SEC opens public comment on four Solana ETFs
Canary Solana ETF reaches next stage in SEC review
Former Supreme Court star has bail revoked over crypto trail
đ Rest Of The World
Crypto.com obtains new MiCA license to service European customers
Bank of England boss calls for 'high bar' for stablecoin regulations
Gumi, Japanese game Dev, reveals plans to buy and stake Bitcoin
Portuguese residency fund launches linking crypto investment to residency
Binance clarifies no asset sales amid treasury accounting rumors
đźď¸ NFTs & Metaverse
Sam Spratt launches epic trailer for The Masquarade
Elon Musk changes X username to Harry Bolz, memecoins soar
David Portnoy donates $100k in $JAILSTOOL memecoin
Adin Ross says he âdoes not fuck withâ Frank DeGods
Parallel Avatars up 69% in the past day ahead of Wayfinder airdrop
MegaETH day 1 mint ends, FCFS round opens at 12pm ET today
