Uniswap Foundation Spends $5.7M, Earns $1.1M: The Financial Drama Unfolds!

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In the year of 2024, the Uniswap Foundation, a non-profit endeavour behind the oh-so-esteemed crypto exchange platform, did manage to spend nearly $5.8 million in what one might call “necessary expenses” – salaries, audits, events, and administration. Yet, despite their grand efforts, only $1.11 million came back in revenue, and one might be tempted to wonder if they’ve forgotten how to make a profit. 😏

Indeed, a rather staggering sum of $5.79 million was expended to keep the Foundation running, with only $1.11 million arriving courtesy of donations, dividends, and interest. It seems the noble cause is supported by a generous but perhaps somewhat absent-minded benefactor. 😜

As per their latest financial breakdown (which I am sure was eagerly awaited by all), payroll was by far the largest expenditure, totalling $3.13 million, most of which went towards salaries, benefits, and taxes, of course. Quite the sum, indeed, to ensure the good folks at the Foundation remain comfortably ensconced in their offices and occasionally in the public eye. 🤨

Advertising and marketing took their share as well, with roughly $290,000 spent on web design, agency work, and the occasional event that seemed to be of great importance, judging by the report. Ah yes, nothing quite like hosting a conference to make one feel important! 🙄

“2024 marked a critical inflection point for the Uniswap Foundation, as we laid the groundwork for ecosystem alignment and value capture. Over the past year, Uniswap Foundation initiatives drove the growth and activation of the Uniswap developer community, accelerating the social and governance infrastructure that sustains them.”

— Natalia Ra, Head of Finance at the Uniswap Foundation

Let us not forget the other delightful expenses: a mere $174,000 was spent on external events, including travel and attendance at conferences—because who doesn’t need a break from all the hard work of spending millions? Additionally, $116,000 was spent on office expenses like software, transaction fees, and internal team events (presumably held at some luxurious offsite location). And of course, $290,000 was spent on insurance—mainly to protect those important directors and officers. Truly, one can never be too careful! 😉

But fear not, dear reader, for by the end of the year, the Foundation remained in a rather comfortable position, holding a respectable reserve of $29.8 million in fiat and stablecoins, as well as 0.59 million of Uniswap’s UNI (UNI) tokens. A reassuring thought, as they carry on with grants, day-to-day operations, and those little things we like to call “team incentives.” 👏

On the grant front, the Foundation committed to $14.8 million in 2024, though they only managed to pay out $9.9 million of it, including $3.1 million in the fourth quarter alone. And, in a move to support developers, $4.59 million was dedicated to bringing over 1,000 new Uniswap developers into the fold via their various Uniday events and hackathons around the world. One does admire the effort, even if it is a bit… extravagant. 🙃

Other notable expenditures included $2.19 million for research grants and $1.54 million for governance work. Truly, what’s a million or two when one is in the business of revolutionising the crypto world? 🤑

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2025-04-24 13:27