Comparing Auction Methods in DeFi: Dutch Auctions vs Batch Auctions
Comparing Auction Methods in DeFi: Dutch Auctions vs Batch Auctions
🔑 Auction Showdown: Dutch vs Batch
The article examines the shortcomings of automated market makers (AMMs) in decentralized finance (DeFi), such as exposure to miner extractable value (MEV) attacks. It then discusses the benefits of auction mechanisms like Dutch auctions and batch auctions as alternatives to AMMs. Dutch auctions offer solver competition, MEV protection, but are centralized. Batch auctions group multiple orders, enable cross-asset swaps, and incentivize better execution while retaining MEV protection. The article highlights CoW Swap as a major implementation of batch auctions, detailing its approach of collecting order intents, conducting auctions for solvers, and executing winning orders on-chain. It suggests batch auctions aligning with Ethereum's block auction mechanism make them well-suited for DeFi trading.
CoW DAO Launches on New Chain and Reports Strong Revenue in January 2026
CoW DAO kicked off 2026 with significant developments in January: - **Chain expansion**: The protocol launched on a new blockchain network - **Revenue growth**: Posted strong protocol revenue numbers for the month - **Performance**: The DAO demonstrated momentum heading into the new year The organization has published a [detailed January recap](https://cow.fi/learn/cow-dao-monthly-recap-january-2026) covering all developments from the month. CoW Protocol specializes in finding optimal trade prices across multiple exchanges and aggregators while providing MEV protection for users.
DAO Secures 2026 Foundation with Renewed Grants Programs
The DAO has voted to renew its core funding programs for 2026, ensuring continued support for builders and contributors. **Key Approvals:** - **CIP-82**: Grants Program renewed - **CIP-83**: Team Grants renewed with enhanced accountability measures The renewed Team Grants now include **stricter, performance-linked milestones**, introducing more rigorous oversight for funded projects. These governance decisions establish the operational framework for the year ahead, with builders and contributors now confirmed for 2026.
CoW DAO Value Distribution RFP Proposals Under Review
CoW DAO's Request for Proposals (RFP) for designing a **Value Distribution Mechanism** has closed submissions and entered the review phase. **What's Being Decided:** - How protocol profits are captured - Management of treasury funds - Distribution mechanisms to token holders The RFP aims to establish a sustainable framework for CoW Protocol's economic model, defining the path forward for value accrual to the community. Proposals are currently being evaluated by the DAO. [Read the full RFP details](https://forum.cow.fi/t/rfp-cow-value-distribution-mechanism/3328)
CoW Protocol Expands: First Aggregator on Plasma Network with New Integrations
CoW Protocol has become the **first aggregator on Plasma Network**, enabling gasless stablecoin swaps on the platform. The protocol also launched three new integrations: - **HeyElsaAI**: Integration with AI agents - **Ondo Finance**: Support for institutional assets - **TokenPocket**: Mobile wallet integration These additions expand CoW Protocol's reach across different user segments, from AI-powered trading to institutional investors and mobile users. The Plasma Network integration builds on the stablecoin-native chain that launched in September 2025 with USDT at its core.
COW Token Achieves Net Negative Emissions in 2025
**Protocol Economics Performance** COW token demonstrated strong fundamentals throughout 2025: - **Net buy pressure**: 4.7M COW tokens (0.5% of total supply) - **Buyback dominance**: Exceeded emissions in 11 out of 12 months - **Total activity**: 37.6M COW bought back versus 32.9M emitted The protocol successfully maintained sustainable tokenomics, with buybacks consistently outpacing emissions. This marks continued progress since the Treasury Team began executing buybacks in April 2024 under [CIP-38](https://forum.cow.fi/t/cow-token-buyback-an-update-on-1-year-of-execution/3168).