How to Buy Uniswap (UNI)

If so, you may want to consider UNI, the asset that powers Uniswap, a decentralized finance (DeFi) software allowing users to buy and sell a range of cryptocurrencies running on Ethereum. 

Anyone can list an Ethereum token on Uniswap, and because of features built into the UNI cryptocurrency, the platform is effectively owned and operated by its global network of users.

Not sure yet why you’d want to buy UNI? Feel free to read our ‘What is Uniswap?’ guide to get a more extensive breakdown of its technology and vision. 

The UNI cryptocurrency plays a key role in maintaining Uniswap’s decentralized exchange software, and is used by its owners to maintain and operate the network

By owning UNI, you gain the ability to vote on network upgrades and policies, with each vote being proportional to the amount of UNI cryptocurrency you stake. 

There are a number of ways to buy UNI. However, many find that it is easiest to purchase it through a trusted global exchange like Kraken that offers easy cash on-ramps. 

Aside from offering the lowest fees in the industry, Kraken is constantly rated one of the most secure and trusted crypto exchanges in the world. This matters because if you lose the private key to your UNI, it can be challenging if not impossible to recover your funds. 

At Kraken, we take security seriously, with tested technology and rigorous procedures designed to safeguard funds. We don’t cut corners when it comes to security, and neither should you.

Follow the steps below to start buying UNI on Kraken: 

1. Sign up for a Kraken account.
   First, enter a valid email address, create a new username and set a strong password to protect your account.

2. Verify your account. 
   After providing your name, date of birth, country of residence and phone number, you can buy UNI with cryptocurrencies like ETH and BTC. In order to use cash (i.e. USD, CAD or EUR), you’ll need to provide our experts with additional supporting documents verifying your identity. Read about our verification processes here.

3. Deposit cash.
   You can fund your account in a number of ways. How you do so will depend upon your location and preferences.

4. Purchase UNI!
   Once your account is funded with cash, you’re ready to purchase UNI. At this point, you’ll also gain access to our advanced charting tools, 24-hour global client support and the ability to utilize spot trading on margin*, features that help make the Kraken experience beloved by millions of global traders.

*Availability of margin trading services is subject to certain limitations and eligibility criteria.

Once you buy UNI, you’ll need somewhere to safely store your cryptocurrency. 

Kraken is secure, but it’s always safest to keep your UNI in a wallet, a software or hardware device that stores the public and private keys required to make crypto transactions.

Uniswap is a platform built on top of Ethereum, meaning UNI can be stored in an Ethereum wallet, of which there are many. Mobile and web wallets can make transactions easy, while hardware wallets are perhaps best suited for secure, long-term storage. 

When choosing a crypto wallet for your UNI, first spend some time thinking about what you plan to do with your tokens to find a wallet that fits your needs.

Ready to take the next step toward investing in decentralized finance coins? Click the button below to buy UNI on Kraken today!