Uniswap Surges 84% as Spot Crypto Trading Climbs 10%

9 hours ago

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Why has Uniswap surged by 84% recently?

What is happening in the spot and derivatives trading markets?

How does the rebound in spot trading impact the overall crypto market?

Uniswap Surges 84% as Spot Crypto Trading Climbs 10% — Image source: Unblock Media

Spot crypto trading grew by 10% in January 2026 compared to December 2025.
Uniswap drove decentralized exchange activity, reporting a substantial 84% hike in trading volume.

Spot cryptocurrency trading expanded by 10% in January 2026 compared to December 2025, reflecting increased activity across centralized and decentralized platforms, as reported by Cryptopolitan and Wu Blockchain. Notably, decentralized exchange Uniswap led the growth with an 84% rise in trading volume, showcasing its prominent role in market dynamics.

On February 12, 2026, Cryptopolitan highlighted Binance’s continued dominance in spot and derivatives trading. Binance’s spot trading activity rose by 12.5%, further solidifying its leadership position. Other centralized exchanges also reported gains—Bitfinex recorded a 70% increase in spot trading volume, while Upbit achieved a 44% growth.

Conversely, certain centralized platforms encountered declines in spot trading figures. HTX saw a 19% drop, Bybit recorded a 16% decrease, and KuCoin experienced a 7% contraction. These reductions underscored the evolving competition driven by decentralized alternatives and shifting user preferences.

In the derivatives segment, trading volumes declined by an average of 5% in January, with MEXC leading the contraction at a 36% drop, signaling more conservative trader behavior. However, growth persisted in select areas; Coinbase registered a notable 49% increase in derivatives trading, and Hyperliquid saw a 19% recovery. Binance derivatives posted a minor 0.7% gain, maintaining its position as a market leader.

Broader market dynamics highlighted differences in trader behavior. Smaller wallets showed interest in accumulating Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), signaling a preference for long-term holdings. Conversely, large whale accounts reduced daily activity in January, continuing to sell amid general market uncertainty.

Decentralized exchanges significantly influenced trading activity, particularly among retail investors and meme token enthusiasts. Platforms like Uniswap have increasingly captured retail interest, steering volume away from some centralized exchanges.

As of February 12, 2026, 15:09 UTC, Hyperliquid (HYPE) trades at $31.221, reflecting an 8.3% uptick in 24-hour trading volume. Meanwhile, Uniswap (UNI) is priced at $3.351, undergoing a 13.3% decline in 24-hour volume. World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) remains stable at $1.00, showing minimal fluctuation of 0.02% within the same period.