AERO Token Value Rose Ahead of Merger
The AERO token increased 48 percent over the past month as the protocol prepares for its upcoming merger.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Investing
Live Poll
Do you trust that cryptocurrency protocol mergers are ultimately beneficial for long-term token holders?
The AERO token has surged by approximately 48% over the last 30 days as markets react to the upcoming merger between Aerodrome and Velodrome Finance. This consolidation is set to unite the two protocols into a single entity targeting a $63 billion market.
Why it matters
The merger aims to expand the protocol's reach across broader Ethereum Virtual Machine ecosystems. By combining resources, the entities hope to capture a larger share of the decentralized finance market.
AERO traded between $0.68 and $0.84 during early October 2026. The combined protocol holds $422 million in total value locked, with Aerodrome contributing $393 million to that total.
The players
Aerodrome
Aerodrome is a decentralized finance protocol that operates on the Base blockchain network.
Velodrome Finance
Velodrome Finance is a decentralized trading protocol that is merging its operations with Aerodrome.
The details
Existing AERO tokens will swap into the new currency at a 1:1 ratio, while VELO holders will receive 0.044 new AERO tokens per unit held. Aerodrome stakeholders will control 94.5% of the new token supply, with Velodrome stakeholders receiving the remaining 5.5%.
Timeline
Aerodrome launched on the Base network in August 2023.
The merger was first revealed to the public in November 2025.
Combined total value locked reached $422 million on October 9, 2026.
The official merger process is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Market Dynamics
This merger follows the broader trend of consolidation within Ethereum Virtual Machine decentralized exchange ecosystems to achieve greater capital efficiency. The union reflects a shift toward unified liquidity models to compete in the expanding decentralized finance sector.
Investors holding VELO tokens will see their holdings converted to the new AERO token at a specific ratio. Those already holding AERO should be prepared for the 1:1 token swap process to occur as the platforms merge their liquidity pools.
The takeaway
Market participants should monitor the final token swap ratios to ensure their positions are correctly adjusted during the migration. Consolidation in the DeFi space often leads to increased liquidity, but investors should be aware of the shift in governance power as new token supplies are issued.
What happens next
The merger of Aerodrome and Velodrome Finance is scheduled to take place on October 21, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Further reading
For more background on how digital asset consolidations affect long-term holders, visit our Investing section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that cryptocurrency protocol mergers are ultimately beneficial for long-term token holders?
