Hari Sevugan Joins Uniswap Labs as DeFi Faces Intense Regulatory Scrutiny

Hari Sevugan, a seasoned political operative with deep Washington connections, has taken on the role of communications chief at Uniswap Labs, the team behind Uniswap—the leading protocol in decentralized finance. His appointment marks a strategic move as regulators worldwide intensify their focus on the DeFi sector, which has grown to unprecedented scale. The hire underscores the increasing importance of skilled public communications in navigating the complex intersection of crypto innovation and regulatory oversight.

Political Veteran Hari Sevugan Brings Washington Experience to DeFi

Hari Sevugan’s résumé reads like a map of American political history. He served as senior spokesperson for President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, managed brand and media communications for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 campaign, and held the position of national press secretary for the Democratic National Committee. His career spans decades of high-stakes political messaging and crisis communication.

Beyond politics, Hari Sevugan has cultivated experience in the technology sector as well. He has collaborated with multiple tech companies and worked alongside founders in a political-tech incubator—a background that bridges his traditional political expertise with emerging technology landscapes. According to Uniswap Labs, Hari Sevugan was introduced to the team through mutual connections in the technology space, suggesting that his hire was not merely about political connections but rather a deliberate selection based on multifaceted expertise.

The Regulatory Storm Gathering Over Decentralized Finance

The timing of Hari Sevugan’s appointment is significant. The DeFi ecosystem is currently navigating turbulent regulatory waters. Officials from multiple nations are calling for stringent oversight of the sector, which has ballooned to over $216 billion in total value locked at various points. Major regulatory bodies, including the SEC and CFTC, are actively harmonizing their approach to crypto leadership, signaling a coordinated response to the rapid growth of decentralized finance.

The Bank of England has drawn stark comparisons, noting that the crypto market has grown to approximately twice the size of the subprime debt bubble that triggered the 2008 financial crisis. In this environment, DeFi projects like Uniswap require not just brilliant engineers but also skilled communicators who can help policymakers and the public understand the value and risks of decentralized finance.

From Politics to Crypto: Translating Complex Issues for Mass Adoption

While industry observers might assume Hari Sevugan’s primary role would function as an unofficial lobbyist, both he and Uniswap Labs have emphasized that his mission extends far beyond Capitol Hill politics. Instead, the focus is on storytelling and public education—translating the complexities of DeFi into accessible narratives.

Hari Sevugan articulated this vision clearly: “Politics, when done right, is also about taking complex issues of policy and making them understandable to everyone so everyone feels a sense of ownership over those decisions. Crypto is opaque and intimidating to many outside of it. I want to help more people connect to it by making it more relatable and understandable.”

This approach aligns with a deeper observation about crypto adoption. “One of the fundamental challenges, by virtue of what makes headlines, is that crypto is seen only through the lens of value, and not values,” Hari Sevugan added. The distinction is crucial—distinguishing between the speculative financial aspects and the underlying technology, values, and benefits of decentralized systems.

Uniswap Labs Strengthens Executive Team Amid Industry Challenges

Hari Sevugan’s arrival is part of a broader expansion of Uniswap Labs’ executive leadership. The company recently appointed Mary-Catherine Lader as chief operating officer, signaling an effort to build institutional-grade management across both operational and communications functions. These appointments reflect the protocol’s maturation and its need to operate at scale in an increasingly regulated environment.

The market has responded with measured interest. UNI, the governance token of Uniswap, experienced fluctuations alongside broader crypto market movements. As of late January 2026, UNI was trading at $3.88, reflecting a 24-hour decline of 8.90%—illustrating the volatility inherent in the crypto market even as major projects strengthen their leadership teams and strategic positioning.

Uniswap’s efforts to bolster its communications and operational capabilities suggest that DeFi protocols are learning to engage with regulators, investors, and the broader public in more sophisticated ways. The appointment of Hari Sevugan exemplifies this shift toward professional, high-level public engagement in an industry that was once dominated purely by technical innovation and speculation. As regulatory frameworks crystallize globally, such strategic hires may become commonplace across leading DeFi projects.