Decentralized Exchange (DEX) Aggregators Explained
Decentralized Exchange (DEX) Aggregators Explained
🔑 DEX Aggregator Secrets Revealed
Decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregators are platforms that search multiple decentralized exchanges to find the best prices for cryptocurrency trades. They aggregate liquidity from various sources like Uniswap and Balancer, routing trades through the exchanges offering the best deals. Advanced intent-based DEX aggregators like CoW Swap go a step further by delegating trade execution to third-party solvers who can provide additional liquidity and protection against maximal extractable value (MEV) attacks. CoW Swap is a leading innovator in this space, offering comprehensive MEV protection and price optimizations for users.
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).