Derek Walkush Takes the Helm of Unichain Growth at Uniswap Labs

In a strategic move that underscores Unichain’s ambitious expansion plans, Derek Walkush—formerly a partner at Variant Fund—has transitioned into a key leadership role at Uniswap Labs. As the newly appointed Head of Growth for Unichain, Walkush brings a wealth of investment expertise from his tenure in venture capital, now channeling that experience toward accelerating on-chain activity within the network.

Bringing Venture Capital Insights to Blockchain Infrastructure

Derek Walkush’s appointment marks a deliberate shift from the investment side to hands-on operational growth. His background at Variant Fund, a prominent venture capital firm focused on the crypto ecosystem, positions him well to identify emerging opportunities and drive strategic initiatives. At Uniswap Labs, Walkush will leverage this investment lens to foster growth across Unichain’s infrastructure, with particular focus on scaling on-chain activity and enhancing user engagement.

Unichain’s Technology and Expansion Blueprint

Developed by the core Uniswap team, Unichain stands out in the blockchain landscape with its defining features: notably low transaction fees and rapid processing speeds, making it an attractive infrastructure layer for the broader DeFi ecosystem. The protocol places Uniswap as its anchor DEX, creating a synergistic relationship between the chain and the exchange. Beyond operational metrics, Derek Walkush’s remit extends to supporting Uniswap Labs’ broader venture capital initiatives—a move that suggests the team is strategically positioning itself not just as a DEX operator, but as an ecosystem builder with active involvement in the next generation of crypto projects.

This appointment reflects a calculated effort to blend investment acumen with hands-on execution, positioning Unichain as both a technical innovation and a platform with strategic depth in the competitive Layer 2 and blockchain infrastructure space.