Global Web3 investor Animoca Brands has taken a decisive step into decentralized finance by acquiring and locking AERO tokens, the governance asset powering Aerodrome Finance—a fast-growing decentralized exchange on Base, Coinbase’s Layer-2 blockchain.
While best known for its gaming and metaverse ventures, Animoca’s latest move reflects a broader vision: integrating DeFi infrastructure into its expanding Web3 investment portfolio. The company confirmed that its AERO tokens are locked for the longest allowable period, giving it active influence within Aerodrome’s governance model and signaling confidence in the Base ecosystem’s growth potential.
Aerodrome’s Dominance on Base
Aerodrome Finance has rapidly established itself as the leading liquidity hub on Base, commanding more than half of the network’s total decentralized exchange value locked (TVL). Its protocol is built around a unique vote-directed rewards model, where AERO holders determine how incentives are distributed among liquidity pools.
With sustainable tokenomics for $AERO and the team’s ability to execute, Aerodrome has proven its standing as a key player in @base infrastructure.
— Animoca Brands (@animocabrands) October 28, 2025
In this system, token lockers, liquidity providers, and traders form a circular ecosystem — participants stake AERO to direct liquidity flows, while liquidity providers earn yield based on those votes. The structure has made Aerodrome a key coordination layer for DeFi activity on Base, helping shape how liquidity and governance interact in the network’s early stages.
AERO Ignition and New Token Launch Models
A standout feature of Aerodrome is its AERO Ignition platform — an evolution of its earlier “Community Launches” initiative. This mechanism allows new projects to debut their tokens directly through Aerodrome’s infrastructure, giving early supporters and liquidity providers the first opportunity to engage.
Notable projects such as SyndicateIO (SYND) and LitProtocol (LITKEY) used AERO Ignition to distribute tokens in a transparent, community-focused way. The approach has earned praise for eliminating the exclusivity and centralization often seen in early-stage token sales.
A Broader DeFi Strategy Takes Shape
Animoca’s entry into Aerodrome is not an isolated investment. It fits within the company’s larger ambition to bridge gaming, metaverse economies, and decentralized finance. By anchoring itself within Base’s largest DEX ecosystem, Animoca is securing exposure to the liquidity infrastructure that will underpin future Web3 economies.
The partnership also underscores the growing synergy between Coinbase’s Base network and key DeFi players. Coinbase has been actively integrating Base-native projects, making it easier for users to transition between centralized exchange access and fully on-chain trading ecosystems like Aerodrome.
The Next Phase of Web3 Convergence
For Animoca Brands, DeFi represents the next stage in the evolution of digital ownership. Its investment in Aerodrome goes beyond profit—it’s a strategic bet on the interoperability between DeFi platforms and Web3 applications, from games to metaverse economies.
By aligning with Aerodrome and the Base network, Animoca is positioning itself at the center of this convergence. As decentralized infrastructure continues to expand, the company’s portfolio is becoming increasingly diverse, extending from virtual gaming assets to the liquidity protocols that power them.
