In this interview, we dive into the journey of Matt Luu, creator of Rugguard and Uniswap Foundation Ambassador. From his early days in Bitcoin mining to building innovative solutions in the Uniswap ecosystem, Matt shares his experiences, insights, and vision for the future of DeFi.

Background: how did you get into web3 and into the Uniswap ecosystem? 

I entered the web3 space through Bitcoin mining before COVID-19, but my deeper involvement in the web3 industry began during my time at ConsenSys, where I provided technical support for Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and enterprise blockchain platforms. After ConsenSys, I explored different aspects of web3 through my own projects – launching an NFT project and leading a GameFi DAO. 

My path to the Uniswap ecosystem started after being laid off from ConsenSys, when I discovered Atrium Academy while working on personal projects and trading memecoins. This led to a transformative journey from participating in Atrium Academy to becoming a Uniswap Foundation (UF) Ambassador, and eventually joining as a Developer Support Associate.

Why do you want to build on v4? 

After experiencing different aspects of web3 development, v4's potential to revolutionize the DeFi landscape really captured my attention. The hooks functionality introduces unprecedented flexibility for customizing liquidity pools, which opens up possibilities for both innovative trading mechanisms and positive social impact. 

Having worked with various protocols and seeing their limitations, I recognize v4's capacity to disrupt the current DeFi meta and create more efficient, secure, and inclusive financial systems.

Why did you join the Uniswap Hook Incubator (UHI)? How was the experience being a dev in UHI?

I joined UHI's second cohort through Atrium Academy because I saw an opportunity to contribute meaningful solutions to the ecosystem. Having participated in other technical programs like Amazon Cloud Institute, I found UHI's approach particularly compelling. While shorter in duration, it offered seasoned developers a clear pathway to learning about a new product and ecosystem platform for building innovative use cases. The experience was eye-opening - the power and flexibility of v4 hooks exceeded my expectations. Being part of UHI provided not just technical knowledge but also connected me with a community of innovative developers all working to push the boundaries of what's possible in DeFi. 

What really set UHI apart for me is its active alumni network and the unique opportunity to return to work on existing capstone projects or start entirely new ones in later cohorts. I think this creates a dynamic environment where there's a constant influx of new talent and ideas, fostering ongoing innovation and collaboration. The program's focused curriculum, supplemented by targeted workshops with ecosystem partners, ensured we gained deep, practical knowledge of the Uniswap v4 protocol. You also get a real sense of community because of the hackathon-like structure that helps build the relationships needed to take a very technical idea from conception to something that is demo’ed in front of VCs and a growing network of high octane peers.

Tell us about your project: What inspired it? What did the project lead to after UHI? 

During UHI, I focused on developing Rugguard, one of three ideas I had considered. The project was inspired by my experiences in the ecosystem and the need for better security mechanisms. I also had ideas for a non-profit impact-focused hook, recognizing the potential for v4 to create positive social change. 

The project and UHI experience opened doors, leading to roles as a UF Ambassador and eventually a full-time position as a Developer Support Associate, where I now help with integrations for the upcoming Unichain launch.

What are you working on at Uniswap Foundation?

My journey with Uniswap started with a deep interest in hooks, which led me to join Atrium Academy, where I worked alongside a teammate to develop our project, Rugguard. This experience opened the door to joining the Uniswap Foundation's Developer Ambassador program, where I helped support developers in the Uniswap Discord community. The role evolved into a contracting position with the Foundation, focusing on Unichain support and v4 developer outreach to help build the ecosystem. 

Now, as a full-time Developer Support Associate at the Foundation, I'm dedicated to onboarding infrastructure providers and other DeFi/web3 partners into the Unichain/Uniswap v4 ecosystem. I'm particularly excited about working with these partners to leverage v4's capabilities and create innovative solutions that will shape the future of DeFi.

What impact do you hope your work will have? 

I hope my work helps make DeFi more accessible, secure, and impactful. Through my roles in developer support and ecosystem development, I aim to help lower the barriers for new developers entering the space while ensuring the technology is used responsibly to create positive change.

How do you hope to see DeFi evolve over the next few years? 

I envision DeFi becoming more accessible while maintaining high security standards. With innovations like v4 hooks, we can create more sophisticated financial products that serve real-world needs while protecting users. I'm particularly excited about the potential for combining DeFi with social impact initiatives, making financial services more inclusive and beneficial for everyone.