The team behind Aerodrome on Base and Velodrome on Optimism, Dromos Labs, has announced a major move — merging both platforms into one powerful new exchange called Aero.
One DEX, One Token, One System
At Dromos Labs’ “New Horizon” event on November 11, the team revealed their vision for Aero: a central liquidity hub built to connect multiple Ethereum-based networks, including Circle’s Arc blockchain.
In simple terms, Aero will bring Aerodrome and Velodrome together into a single decentralized exchange (DEX) system that’s faster, more efficient, and easier to scale across different chains.
A big part of this transformation is the creation of a unified AERO token. This new token replaces both AERO (from Aerodrome) and VELO (from Velodrome) — but without creating new supply. That means no new minting, no dilution.
Here’s how the new token distribution breaks down:
- AERO holders: ~94.5%
- VELO holders: ~5.5%
Each token will represent a share of the combined protocol’s total revenue and growth, ensuring that existing holders keep their stake in the new ecosystem.
A Next-Generation Exchange System
Alongside the merger, Dromos is rolling out MetaDEX 03, a brand-new operating system for the exchange. This upgrade is designed to make trading smoother, faster, and more profitable for both users and liquidity providers.
The system includes two new core engines — AER and REV — which aim to internalize liquidity revenue and reduce costs. According to Dromos, MetaDEX 03 could boost protocol earnings by up to 40% while cutting operating expenses by around $34 million.
Some of Aero’s upcoming features include:
- Metaswaps: For easy cross-chain trading between networks.
- Verified pools: Tailored for institutional or compliant users.
- Enhanced integrations: Across all EVM-compatible chains.
The goal? To make Aero one of DeFi’s most flexible and scalable DEX infrastructures, capable of connecting retail users, institutions, and developers in one ecosystem.
Expanding Across Ethereum and Beyond
Beyond Base and Optimism, Dromos plans to extend Aero across multiple Ethereum networks and institutional environments — especially through Circle’s Arc blockchain.
Aero will act as a base layer for liquidity in the onchain economy, powering everything from yield programs to enterprise-grade financial tools.
Right now, Aerodrome is already a leader on Base, pulling in over $14.7 million in monthly fees and dominating network liquidity. When combined with Velodrome, the merged platform commands more than $480 million in total value locked (TVL).
Analysts believe Aero’s launch could mark a turning point for decentralized exchange infrastructure, creating a single, efficient framework capable of supporting over $2 billion in monthly trading volume across multiple blockchains.
In short, Aero isn’t just another DEX — it’s a step toward unifying DeFi liquidity under one powerful, scalable system.
