Want to jump straight to the answer? You can buy UNI on Gemini, Coinbase and Kraken.
If you’ve traded ERC-20 tokens before, you might already have experience using Uniswap. Uniswap is a decentralized exchange that provides investors with a faster and more secure way to convert ERC-20 tokens or Ethereum into other projects on the Ethereum network. Uniswap’s token, UNI, is a governance token that gives investors a voice in future project developments.
Are you interested in learning more about how to buy Uniswap? Our guide will help you determine if this token is the right fit for your portfolio and how you can begin investing.
Contents
What is Uniswap?
Uniswap is a decentralized exchange, which means that it doesn’t rely on a single point of failure. By contrast, the majority of exchanges act as centralized exchanges. For example, when you buy and sell cryptocurrency using a platform like Coinbase, you rely on Coinbase to act as a middleman to carry out your trades. While this is convenient and provides you with a quick exchange, it also means that you’re required to pay any fees that the exchange decides to charge you whether they’re above market rates or not. It also means that your on-exchange wallet is subject to a single point of failure in the event that the exchange is the target of a hacking attempt.
How Uniswap Works
Uniswap’s decentralized exchange protocol provides investors and traders with a quick way to “swap” any ERC-20 token for another supported ERC-20 token or Ethereum. Uniswap is built on the existing technology that maintains the Ethereum network, making its token (UNI) an ERC-20 token that can be stored in almost any type of wallet that supports Ethereum. If you have Ethereum or some other type of ERC-20 token in your wallet, you can even test out Uniswap through its app right now.
This system provides you with a few benefits over traditional centralized exchanges:
- Uniswap’s system has a built-in guaranteed swap rate, which means that the system will fail to execute your order if it sees a sudden price movement against your favor.
- The decentralized exchange system allows investors access to a larger liquidity pool, which means that you can swap your ERC-20 token with hundreds of other offerings.
- The decentralized exchange doesn’t rely on a singular point of failure, which means that there is no order book and varying fees determined by current market conditions. These fees go directly back to users on the network who work to provide liquidity on the exchange, which encourages staking and the growth of the Uniswap system.
The Uniswap system was developed in 2018. Its token, UNI, acts as a governance protocol. This means that if you hold UNI, you will get a voice in future matters concerning use of the Uniswap treasury and network upgrades. The token was introduced on September 16, 2020 and has since risen to become the 33rd largest cryptocurrency when measured by total market capitalization.
The first wave of UNI was distributed using an airdrop for users on the network who had participated in the exchange in some way. Now you can buy and sell UNI using the same method as any other ERC-20 token.
Step 1: Open an Online Account
Don’t already have an ERC-20 token to swap for Uniswap? Not a problem — you can still buy and sell UNI directly using centralized exchanges as well. A cryptocurrency exchange (sometimes called a “cryptocurrency broker”) gives you access to a trading platform that you can use to submit orders to buy and sell cryptos. After placing an order, your broker will execute the order according to your instructions, usually in exchange for a fee or commission.
If you don’t already have a brokerage account, consider a few of our favorite options below.
Best For
1 Minute Review
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange and custodian that offers investors access to 26 coins and tokens. Founded in the US, Gemini is expanding globally, in particular into Europe and Asia. Offerings include both major cryptocurrency projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and smaller altcoins like Orchid and 0x.
Gemini is 1 of the only brokers with multiple platform options based on skill level. New investors will love the streamlined interface of Gemini’s mobile and web apps, while advanced investors might appreciate all the tools that come with ActiveTrader.
In addition to a host of platform choices, Gemini users also have access to insured hot wallets to store tokens without worrying about digital asset theft. Learn more about what Gemini can do for you in our review.
Best For
- New investors looking for a simple mobile and web app
- Experienced investors who need a more advanced platform with more tools
- Users looking for a 1-stop-shop to buy, sell and store all of their coins
Pros
- Easy and quick signups — can get started in as little as a few minutes
- Multitude of platforms to accommodate traders of all skill levels
- Hot wallets include insurance to protect your from theft and hacking attempts
Cons
- Charges both a commission and a convenience fee for users buying and selling through the desktop or mobile app
Best For
1 Minute Review
Coinbase is one of the Internet’s largest cryptocurrency trading platforms. From Bitcoin to Litecoin or Basic Attention Token to Chainlink, Coinbase makes it exceptionally simple to buy and sell major cryptocurrency pairs.
You can even earn cryptocurrency rewards through Coinbase’s unique Coinbase Earn feature. More advanced traders will love the Coinbase Pro platform, which offers more order types and enhanced functionality.
Though Coinbase doesn’t offer the most affordable pricing or the lowest fees, its simple platform is easy enough for complete beginners to master in as little as a single trade.
Best For
- New cryptocurrency traders
- Cryptocurrency traders interested in major pairs
- Cryptocurrency traders interested in a simple platform
Pros
- Simple platform is easy to operate
- Comprehensive mobile app mirrors desktop functionality
- Coinbase Earn feature rewards you with crypto for learning about available coins
Cons
- Higher fees than competitors
Step 2: Buy a Wallet
One of the biggest problems with centralized exchanges is that it offers hackers a single point of failure that can make theft easier. For example, in 2019, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance suffered a hack during which thieves stole $40 million worth of Bitcoin from on-exchange wallets.
You can protect yourself and your investment by storing your tokens in a private wallet. A crypto wallet is a device or application that keeps your tokens safe while off your exchange account. For the highest possible level of security, you’ll want to invest in a hardware wallet. If you’re searching for a free option, a software wallet might work for you.
Explore a few of our favorite crypto wallet options below to get started.
Best Hardware Wallet: SecuX W10
SecuX V20 - Most Secure Crypto Hardware Wallet w/ Bluetooth - Cross Platform - Easily Manage Your Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC-20, Ripple, BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, DGB, Dash, BNB, Doge, XLM and More
$139.00Balancing price and security can be a major concern. Thankfully, investors can get the best of both when they choose the SecuX W10. The SecuX W10 provides a complete suite of security features, ranging from military-grade encryption to tamper-proof casing. The W10 is compatible with nearly every type of operating system, ranging from Apple users to Linux devices. The device’s full-color touchscreen makes it easy to manage thousands of coins and tokens without connecting to an unsecured internet source. With a host of security features and a reasonable price tag, the SecuX W10 can be an excellent hardware option for both new investors and those with thousands in assets.
Best Software Wallet: MetaMask
A surprisingly secure software option, MetaMask is one of the most popular open-source wallets available. MetaMask provides you with everything that you need to get started storing any type of ERC-20 token. From your personal key vault to exchange access, you can begin buying and storing cryptocurrencies directly from your MetaMask wallet. In addition to impressive storage capabilities, MetaMask also provides you with beginner’s access to decentralized applications. If you’ve wanted to start exploring one of Ethereum’s defining features but you thought you needed more technical knowledge, MetaMask can act as both a free software wallet and a learning tool.
Step 3: Make Your Purchase
After you’ve finished setting up your wallet, you can make your first purchase on your brokerage’s exchange. Here are the basic steps that you’ll go through when you place your order:
- Step 1: Decide how many UNI you want to purchase. You can begin by taking a look at the current market price.
- Step 2: Place an order. After you decide how many tokens you want to purchase, you’ll place an order using your broker’s platform. Depending on the broker you choose, you might need to specify which type of order you want to place.
- Step 3: Wait for your broker to fill your order. After submitting your order, you can sit back and relax. Your broker will fill your order according to your specifications as quickly as possible. If your broker cannot fill your order, the broker may leave it open indefinitely or may cancel it at the end of the trading day. You may receive a notification by email if your order is filled or cancelled.
Bonus:
You don’t need to actively trade your Uniswap tokens in order to profit from this project. If you’d like to participate as a Uniswap Liquidity Provider, you can also earn a percentage of swap fees each time a user participates in the Uniswap exchange. This may make the token more valuable as more and more smaller projects are added to the exchange.
Trade or Sell Your Cryptocurrency
After you’ve completed your order, you’ll see your tokens in your exchange wallet. From here, you must decide how you want to use your tokens. If you believe that Uniswap will appreciate over the course of weeks, months or years, you’ll want to transfer your tokens to an off-exchange wallet as quickly as possible. This limits the possibility of a hack and helps better protect your investment.
If you believe that Uniswap tokens have more value in the context of short-term price movements, you may want to scalp or day trade your tokens. Using this strategy, you’ll capitalize on a number of short-term price movements, converting your UNI to a stablecoin when it’s most advantageous for you and cashing out excess tokens as profits.
If you decide to become a short-term trader, you’ll need a responsive and intuitive platform. Browse a few of our favorite options below.
Current Crypto Prices
Cryptocurrency prices are constantly changing because the crypto market is always open. Understanding the day’s price movements can help you decide when to buy or sell your tokens. Browse a few of the biggest price movements taking place today with the chart below.
Adding Cryptocurrency to Your Portfolio
Tokens like Uniswap and Ethereum represent some of the most recent advancements in blockchain technology. While cryptocurrency can provide a unique exposure to this developing industry, investors need to remember that (unlike stocks and bonds) the cryptocurrency market is still largely unregulated. Always diversify your investments when buying or selling cryptocurrency and never invest more money than you have to lose.
Try Gemini
Gemini builds crypto products to help you buy, sell, and store your bitcoin and cryptocurrency. You can buy bitcoin and crypto instantly and access all the tools you need to understand the crypto market and start investing, all through one clear, attractive interface. Gemini Crypto Platform offers excellent account management options. You can manage your account at a glance, view your account balance 24-hour changes and percent changes. Get started with Gemini now.
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