Mary-Catherine Lader Steps Away from Uniswap Labs Presidency Following Four-Year Run

Uniswap Labs President Mary-Catherine Lader Steps Down After Four-Year Run

Mary-Catherine Lader has officially exited her role as President and Chief Operating Officer of Uniswap Labs, concluding a four-year tenure that helped shape the company into one of decentralized finance’s most recognized brands.

In a post shared on social media Tuesday, Lader wrote: “After four incredible years as President & COO of @Uniswap, I’m starting something new.” Reflecting on her journey, she highlighted her shift from traditional finance at BlackRock to the crypto frontier, where she worked closely with Uniswap founder Hayden Adams to drive the company’s growth.

Lader joined Uniswap Labs in 2021 and quickly became a key figure in expanding the protocol’s reach. Under her leadership, the firm rolled out several strategic products — including the Uniswap mobile wallet and cross-chain functionality — while strengthening regulatory and institutional engagement.

Her tenure wasn’t without challenges. In 2024, Uniswap Labs received a Wells notice from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, signaling possible enforcement action for allegedly operating an unregistered exchange and broker. Separately, the company agreed to a $175,000 settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission over frontend access to leveraged tokens. These events placed Uniswap in the spotlight during a pivotal period for crypto regulation.

Despite regulatory headwinds, Uniswap remains a DeFi powerhouse, currently holding over $5.3 billion in total value locked. The company has also benefited from a recent shift in Washington’s tone toward digital assets, with the GENIUS Act and other legislation signaling potential regulatory clarity on the horizon.

Lader’s next move has not been publicly disclosed, though her departure marks a leadership transition at a critical moment for Uniswap and the broader DeFi sector. The company has not yet named a successor.