A Uniswap crypto delegate often known as Pepo rage-quit the DAO, calling out the Uniswap Basis over an influence seize farce.
In a transfer that’s ignited contemporary controversy on the DeFi platform, a outstanding Uniswap delegate often known as Pepo rage-quit the DAO, calling out the Uniswap Basis for turning decentralized governance right into a top-down farce.
Pepo, who managed 455,000 UNI and ranked among the many prime 20 voting delegates, didn’t maintain again.
Uniswap Crypto Delegate Calls Out Failings at Uniswap Basis
— PEPO (@0xPEPO) Could 5, 2025
In a scathing put up on X, he bluntly accused the Basis of sidelining DAO voices, ignoring delegate criticism, and insulating itself from participating meaningfully with suggestions.
“The Foundation’s behavior seems to have prioritized insulation over collaboration, and in doing so, may have actively harmed Uniswap,” Pepo wrote.
His departure isn’t simply symbolic. It’s a purple flare fired over the bow of the $4B protocol, elevating critical doubts about how decentralized Uniswap is.
On the middle of the storm is the $165 million treasury grant accredited by the DAO in March, cash that the Basis is now utilizing with what critics have lambasted as alarming autonomy.
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UniSwap Basis Makes an attempt to Sweep Drama Beneath The Carpet
Technically working as a nonprofit, the Basis was meant to serve the DAO. However some now argue it’s changing into its personal energy middle, unaccountable and quietly aligned with Uniswap Labs, the for-profit entity that birthed the protocol.
Delegate participation is important to the success of the Uniswap ecosystem, and the @UniswapFND takes their suggestions significantly.
In actual fact, we’re the one main Protocol Basis that’s funded by way of the categorical approval of delegates. We weren’t endowed with tokens on the…
— Devin Walsh (@devinawalsh) Could 6, 2025
Devin Walsh, the Basis’s Govt Director, gave the same old PR gloss: “Delegate participation is essential… we take their feedback seriously.”
However behind the scenes, it’s a distinct story.
A number of sources say key choices are being mentioned privately in again channels, hashed out between massive pockets holders lengthy earlier than they ever attain the eyes of group boards.
Some delegates name it “DAO theater”, the place votes are held after the actual calls have already been made like puppetry.
This isn’t the primary time decentralization at Uniswap has been questioned. In October, Stanford Blockchain Membership’s Billy Gao slammed Uniswap Labs for launching its personal blockchain with out DAO enter, calling it a transparent governance failure.
Even the formation of a brand new “Foundation Feedback Group” on Could 1 hasn’t eased tensions. Delegates say it’s too little, too late.
“It’s a loss for any DAO when a delegate feels the only way to make an impact is through stepping down,” mentioned PaperImperium from GFX Labs in feedback to CoinDesk.
As UNI token holders surprise who’s actually steering the ship, one factor’s clear: decentralization at Uniswap continues to be a piece in progress, and if not a model phantasm, issues ought to vary shortly.
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The put up Uniswap Drama Explodes: Top DAO Delegate Rage-Quits Over “Insulated” Power Grab appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
