Key Executive Behind Uniswap’s Growth Exits the Company
Mary-Catherine Lader, President and Chief Operating Officer of Uniswap Labs, has stepped down after a four-year tenure that helped shape one of the most prominent platforms in decentralized finance. According to reports, she will transition into an advisory role before moving on to new ventures.
Uniswap Labs confirmed Lader’s departure, stating the company “will continue to build on her contributions” as it moves into its next phase of development.
From Wall Street to Web3
Lader made headlines in 2021 when she left BlackRock, where she served as Managing Director and Global Head of Aladdin Sustainability, to join Uniswap. Her move was seen as one of the earliest and most significant exits from traditional finance into crypto, signaling the industry’s growing appeal to legacy financial professionals.
At Uniswap, Lader helped guide the company through scaling operations, regulatory scrutiny, and major funding rounds.
Institutional Growth and Market Impact
Under her leadership, Uniswap transitioned from a developer-led startup to a structured organization. Lader played a pivotal role in expanding internal teams across finance, legal, policy, HR, and marketing, laying the groundwork for Uniswap’s future as a competitive force in both DeFi and broader financial markets.
One of the major milestones during her tenure was Uniswap’s $165 million fundraising round in October 2022, which valued the firm at approximately $1.66 billion.
Regulatory Challenges and Resolutions
In early 2024, Uniswap Labs was issued a Wells Notice by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, signaling possible enforcement. However, in February 2025, the SEC closed the investigation without taking any action, allowing the platform to continue operations without added restrictions.
The closure of that case marked a significant win for the DeFi sector and validated Lader’s leadership during a high-stakes regulatory period.
What’s Next for Uniswap?
While Uniswap has not yet announced a successor, the platform remains the largest decentralized exchange on Ethereum, with $73 billion in trading volume over the past 30 days, according to DefiLlama.
As Uniswap Labs continues to expand its product suite and engage with global regulators, Lader’s departure marks the end of a key era but also opens the door for new leadership in a rapidly evolving sector.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.