I’m a regular user of OKU—primarily to avoid Uniswap Labs’ front-end fee and the unfair separation between Universal Navigation Inc. and UNI holders @haydenadams .
A few comments on OKU:
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OKU is a solid option for bypassing Uniswap’s official front end. It also offers bridging features and supports a broader range of chains for trading.
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However, there are some drawbacks I’ve noticed over months of usage. For instance, OKU has gated its Discord behind phone number verification, which limits easy feedback loops from users. Part of the reason why I am laying this out here.
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OKU has slowly evolved into a more complex platform. It started as a no-fee, unofficial Uniswap front end, but now seems to be pursuing “per month maintenance cost” business deals and incentives from various chains. Its scope has expanded significantly, and it no longer feels like the simple alternative front end it once was.
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The UI has become unnecessarily complicated, and it seems like the team is struggling to find product-market fit. I had hoped OKU would compete with the sleek trading interfaces of centralized exchanges (CEXs), OKU UI looks and feels dated…its 2025 not 2018. Why hasn’t OKU developed v4 Hooks for leveraged trading or introduced other unique V4 features to set itself apart and be self sustainable?
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To reiterate, instead of building in-house v4 Hooks, the site increasingly feels like a billboard for web3 partnerships. Where’s the innovation? Does GFX Labs not have the capacity to build truly unique products for traders?
I understand why Uniswap Foundation is taking a cautious approach with OKU, considering it gave them $1 million. What started as a simple, UNI-holder-friendly alternative to avoid front-end fees now feels like a sponsorship platform for struggling web3 L2s, bridges, and other projects looking for a GFX/OKU subscription integration deal. It honestly feels less safe to use then when OKU first launched.
Build for users.