Binance Alpha to Feature Union (U): Details

Binance has confirmed that Binance Alpha will feature Union (U) on September 4. Eligible users can claim their airdrop through Binance Alpha Points once trading opens. Binance affirmed that additional details will be revealed soon.

The announcement comes as Union Build, the team behind the project, has detailed the tokenomics and role of its native $U token.

Union functions as a zero-knowledge interoperability Layer 1 blockchain designed to connect different ecosystems securely. With $U serving as its gas token, governance token, and staking asset, Union is establishing a cross-chain protocol that reduces reliance on centralized bridges.

Overview of Union Build and the $U Token

Union Build is built as a zero-knowledge interoperability Layer 1 blockchain. Its design enables transactions and messages to pass across Ethereum, Cosmos, Bitcoin layers, and other blockchains without depending on multisignature relays or centralized validators.

Union’s framework integrates several key components:

• CometBLS – a consensus engine optimized for zero-knowledge proof efficiency.
• Voyager – a relayer that moves packets between blockchains.
• Galois – a zero-knowledge proof generator.

This modular architecture addresses common problems of network fragmentation and supports multiple programming environments, including Solidity, Rust, and Move.

At the core of the network is the $U token, an ERC-20 asset on Ethereum. It coordinates incentives for validators, users, and developers, while also powering fees, security, and governance.

$U Token Utilities

Gas Token

$U serves as the gas token in Union’s Dynamic Fee Market. It covers fees for zero-knowledge proof aggregation, client updates, connection setup, transaction relaying, and asset registration. Users can choose higher fees to prioritize specific actions, tying demand directly to proof verification and cross-chain transfers.

Network Security

Union operates as a proof-of-stake blockchain. Validators stake $U to participate in consensus, while delegators earn emissions by staking indirectly. The system also integrates the Bitcoin Supercharged Network, which leverages Bitcoin’s security and supports restaking of Bitcoin liquid staked tokens.

Cross-Chain Governance

Governance takes place across connected chains. Holders use $U to propose and vote on protocol upgrades, fee adjustments, and treasury use. With liquid staking (eU tokens via Escher Finance), voting can begin on Ethereum without bridging assets.

Additional Uses

The token also supports liquidity, settlement, and participation in decentralized apps such as:

• Dextr – a cross-chain decentralized exchange.
• Escher Finance – a liquid staking platform.
• Stargaze – a marketplace for NFTs.

$U Tokenomics

Union’s tokenomics provide a fixed genesis supply of 10 billion $U, with 1.919 billion (19.19%) in circulation at launch.

Inflation and Emissions

• Annual emissions start at 6%.
• They decline by 10% per year until stabilizing at 2%.
• Emissions remain a fixed percentage, not tied to staking ratios.
  
   

Genesis Allocation

The distribution is divided across community, ecosystem, foundation, investors, contributors, and treasury:

• Community Incentives (12%) – testnet rewards, genesis drop, and future programs.
• Ecosystem Fund (14.1%) – grants, accelerators, and fellowships.
• DAO Treasury (12.5%) – governed by $U holders.
• Foundation (20%) – operations, partnerships, and marketing.
• Strategic Investors (21.4%) – vested with one-year cliff periods.
• Core Contributors and Advisors (20%) – locked and released over three years.

This design directs nearly 60% of supply toward users, builders, and governance, encouraging sustained involvement.

How Union Works

Union relies on zero-knowledge proofs to verify consensus across chains. Its architecture combines several elements:

• CometBLS and uniond – manage fast finality for transactions.
• Voyager – relays messages across chains.
• Galois – generates ZK proofs.
• Hubble – indexes data for cross-chain messaging.

Light clients connect Union to Ethereum, Cosmos (via IBC), and other environments, allowing for secure, subsecond message passing.

Binance Alpha and Union

Binance Alpha serves as Binance’s pre-listing platform for showcasing projects with strong community interest and traction. Tokens featured on Alpha may later be considered for exchange listings, though there is no guarantee.

Key features of Binance Alpha include:

• Curated Selection – projects are chosen using Binance’s industry expertise.
• Quick Buy Functionality – optimized swap process for higher success rates.
• Anti-MEV Protection – designed to secure large transactions against manipulation.

By being featured on September 4, Union gains exposure to Binance’s global user base, with an airdrop available to eligible Alpha Points holders.

Conclusion

Union’s integration with Binance Alpha marks a step in the rollout of its $U token. As a zero-knowledge interoperability Layer 1 blockchain, Union emphasizes cross-chain connectivity, decentralized governance, and security supported by Bitcoin restaking.

With well-defined tokenomics, active community interest, and a technical design that reduces reliance on centralized bridges, Union is positioned as a protocol built for secure interoperability across blockchain ecosystems.

Resources:

Union Foundation Blog: https://union.build/blog/u-tokenomics

Union Documentation: http://docs.union.build/u 

The Union Whitepaper https://drive.google.com/file/d/11BawNxXch9xX8aRJl0ZqDAb925NjDuHH/view

About Binance Alpha: https://www.binance.com/en/support/announcement/detail/c6499e95c15e408ca44ca5f6db975d4d