Uniswap’s L2 Chain Unichain to Launch New Validation Network

Unichain, the Layer 2 decentralized finance solution developed by Uniswap Labs, is preparing to launch a new validation network as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its decentralization and improve the efficiency of its network. This new validation layer, called the Unichain Validation Network (UVN), will serve as an on-chain decentralization feature, contributing to a more secure and scalable network by adding another layer of finality.

The UVN aims to minimize the risks of conflicting blocks and enhance the overall growth of Unichain’s DeFi ecosystem. The announcement, made on March 7, 2025, is part of Unichain’s roadmap after successfully launching the Unichain mainnet in February. This milestone helped achieve one of the initial targets for 2025, setting the stage for further network decentralization.

One of the key aspects of the UVN is its open participation model. Anyone can run a node and take part in the block verification process, helping to ensure greater decentralization. The UVN will consist of a network of full nodes that monitor and verify blocks as they are posted to the mainnet by the sequencer, further enhancing the integrity and trustworthiness of the Unichain network.

To incentivize participation, the Unichain Foundation has outlined a rewards structure where 65% of the network’s revenue will be allocated to validators and stalkers. This will create a strong incentive for individuals and entities to participate in the network’s maintenance and validation processes.

The test version of UVN is expected to be launched on the testnet in the coming months. Following this, the mainnet version will go live, and validators and stalkers will start receiving their share of the 65% revenue from the network. Until the mainnet launch, however, the funds generated will be directed toward the Unichain Growth Reserve, which aims to support ecosystem growth.

In addition to the decentralized node platform, Unichain will integrate rollups to enhance scalability. After the mainnet launch, Unichain will also become part of the Optimism Superchain. This collaboration will see Uniswap Labs join as a core contributor to the OP Stack, further solidifying its commitment to the Ethereum ecosystem and contributing to the wider Optimism Collective. This partnership will also result in a share of Unichain’s gross revenue being distributed to the Optimism Collective.

With these innovations, Unichain is positioning itself as a highly scalable and decentralized solution in the DeFi space, bringing both enhanced finality and network security while creating opportunities for community participation and growth.