The decentralized finance (DeFi) space just got a major upgrade. On July 26, 2025, the Uniswap Foundation announced the launch of Angstrom, a groundbreaking decentralized exchange (DEX) developed by Sorella Labs. Built on Uniswap v4 and supported by the Uniswap v4 Hook Design Lab, Angstrom introduces native protection against Maximum Extractable Value (MEV), promising fairer trading for swappers and liquidity providers (LPs). With a $7.5 million seed round led by Paradigm and a focus on curbing arbitrage bots and sandwich attacks, Angstrom is poised to reshape Ethereumās trading landscape. This 800-word guide dives into what Angstrom is, how it works, and why itās a game-changer for DeFi enthusiasts.
What is Angstrom and it’s significance
Angstrom, developed by Sorella Labs, is a DEX designed to tackle one of Ethereumās biggest challenges: MEV. MEV refers to the profit miners or validators can extract by reordering, including, or excluding transactions in a block. This often leads to front-running, back-running, or sandwich attacks, where traders lose value to bots exploiting transaction order. Angstromās mission is to redirect MEV profits back to usersāswappers and LPsāthrough innovative mechanisms like high-frequency auctions and app-specific sequencing. By integrating with Uniswap v4ās customizable hooks, Angstrom ensures trades are executed fairly, boosting trust in the DeFi ecosystem.
The Uniswap Foundationās support underscores Angstromās significance. With $7.5 million in funding from heavyweights like Paradigm, Uniswap Ventures, and Bankless Ventures, Sorella Labs has the resources to deliver a robust platform. Launched on Ethereumās mainnet on July 25, 2025, Angstrom is already generating buzz for its user-centric approach, as highlighted in posts on X praising its potential to defeat arbitrage bots.
The Problem of MEV in DeFi
MEV has been a thorn in DeFiās side, with validators extracting significant profitsā26% of Ethereumās revenue in 2023 came from MEV, according to Gate.io. Common attacks like sandwiching, where bots place transactions before and after a userās trade to manipulate prices, erode user profits and trust. Traditional DEXs, even giants like Uniswap, struggle to mitigate these issues without custom solutions. Angstrom steps in to address this by reengineering how transactions are ordered and executed, ensuring users arenāt shortchanged by predatory bots.
This issue isnāt just technicalāit impacts real people. Imagine swapping tokens only to find your trade squeezed by a bot, costing you extra ETH. Angstromās launch is a response to these frustrations, aiming to make DeFi trading as fair as it is decentralized.
How Angstrom Works: A Technical Breakdown
Angstromās magic lies in its innovative design, built on Uniswap v4ās hooksāsmart contracts that allow custom logic for liquidity pools. Hereās how it tackles MEV:
- High-Frequency Auctions: Angstrom runs two auctions per block. The first determines transaction order, while the second is a bulk auction ensuring all orders execute at a uniform price. This prevents front-running and sandwich attacks by eliminating the ability to manipulate transaction placement.
- App-Specific Sequencing (ASS): Unlike traditional DEXs where miners control transaction order based on gas fees, Angstromās Validator Network lets the DEX decide how transactions are sequenced. This reduces arbitrage opportunities and protects LPs from losses due to rebalancing.
- Revenue Redistribution: MEV profits, typically pocketed by validators, are redirected to LPs and swappers. This creates a fairer ecosystem where users benefit from the value their trades generate.
Sorella Labsā researcher Yuki Yuminaga emphasized that Angstromās uniform pricing model ensures fair execution, with the testnet (set for Q1 2025) calibrating these mechanisms to optimize performance. By integrating with Uniswap v4, Angstrom leverages the protocolās gas-efficient singleton contract design, reducing costs for users
The Role of Uniswap v4 Hook Design Lab
Uniswap v4ās hooks are a game-changer for DeFi, allowing developers to customize pool logic. The Uniswap v4 Hook Design Lab, which supported Angstromās development, fosters innovation by providing funding, technical support, and a collaborative environment for projects like Sorella Labs. Angstromās MEV-resistant hook is one of many projects, alongside Flaunchās memecoin launchpad and Bunniās rehypothecation hook, showcasing v4ās flexibility. This ecosystem approach positions Uniswap as a launchpad for next-gen DEXs, potentially turning DeFi primitives into accessible commodities.
Getting Started with AngstromReady to try Angstrom? Hereās a quick guide to dive in:
- Set Up an EVM-Compatible Wallet: Use MetaMask or WalletConnect. Create a new wallet for safety and connect it to Ethereumās mainnet.
- Visit Angstromās Platform: Access the DEX via its official site (check @angstromxyz on X for the link). Connect your wallet to start trading.
- Swap Tokens: Execute token swaps to experience Angstromās MEV protection. The uniform pricing ensures your trade settles at the agreed price, free from sandwich attacks.
- Provide Liquidity: Become an LP by adding tokens to Angstromās pools. Youāll earn a share of the MEV revenue, unlike traditional DEXs where bots siphon profits.
- Join the Testnet (Q1 2025): Participate in the upcoming testnet to test features and provide feedback, potentially earning early adopter rewards.
Always verify links through official channels like @SorellaLabs or @UniswapFND to avoid scams.
Why Angstrom Could Change DeFi
Angstromās launch is more than a new DEXāitās a step toward a fairer DeFi ecosystem. By redirecting MEV profits to users, it challenges the status quo where validators and bots dominate. Industry analysts predict Angstrom could boost Uniswapās Total Value Locked (TVL) and UNI token value, as seen with past MEV-mitigation initiatives. Posts on X reflect excitement, with users like @nikokampouris calling Angstromās tech ātransformativeā.
Moreover, Angstromās integration with Uniswap v4 positions it to compete with other DEXs like Trader Joe or Balancer, which have struggled to match Uniswapās scale. As more projects adopt v4 hooks, we could see a wave of innovation, making DeFi more secure and user-friendly.
Challenges and Whatās Next
While Angstromās approach is promising, challenges remain. Regulatory uncertainties and competition in the DEX space could pose hurdles, as noted by Gate.io. The testnet phase in Q1 2025 will be critical for refining auction parameters and proving resilience against sophisticated attacks. Sorella Labsā Brontes tool, which monitors MEV in real-time, will complement Angstrom by helping users optimize strategies.
Looking ahead, Angstromās success could inspire other DEXs to adopt similar MEV protections, potentially standardizing fairer trading practices across DeFi. The Uniswap Foundationās backing and the v4 Hook Design Labās resources give Angstrom a strong foundation to lead this charge.
Final Thoughts
Angstromās launch marks a pivotal moment for DeFi. By tackling MEV head-on, it empowers swappers and LPs to trade with confidence, knowing their profits wonāt be snatched by bots. Built on Uniswap v4ās innovative hooks and backed by the Uniswap Foundation, Angstrom isnāt just a DEXāitās a vision for a more equitable DeFi future. Whether youāre a trader, LP, or DeFi enthusiast, Angstrom offers a chance to engage with cutting-edge tech and potentially shape the next wave of decentralized finance. Follow
@angstromxyz and @UniswapFND on X for updates, and dive into Angstrom today to experience trading without the MEV headache.
Sources:
- Bitcoin Ethereum News: https://bitcoinethereumnews.com[](https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/uniswap-foundation-launches-angstrom-dex-with-mev-protection/)
- Crypto Economy: https://crypto-economy.com[](https://crypto-economy.com/uniswap-presents-angstrom-new-dex-with-native-mev-protection-for-swappers-and-lps/)
- Gate.io: https://www.gate.io[](https://www.gate.io/learn/articles/reconstructing-the-ethereum-ecosystem-the-struggle-of-sorella-labs-against-mev/4515)
- Bankless: https://www.bankless.com[](https://www.bankless.com/read/whats-new-with-uniswap-v4-2)
- Uniswap Foundation: https://www.uniswapfoundation.org[](https://www.uniswapfoundation.org/)
- OAK Research: https://oakresearch.io[](https://oakresearch.io/en/analyses/innovations/uniswap-v4-new-era-for-defi)
- Blockworks: https://blockworks.co[](https://blockworks.co/news/uniswap-v4-goes-live)
- X Posts: @UniswapFND, @angstromxyz, @nikokampouris, @0xgoldzn
Excited to see how it performs on Uniswap V4, especially for LPs
Didnāt see that coming, but itās a huge win for fair DeFi trading
Was expecting just another DEX, but this could really level the playing field
Big traders jumping in soon