--- title: "Aerodrome and Velodrome Merge to Launch Unified Aero Protocol" description: "The decentralized exchanges consolidated under a unified AERO token, distributing 94.5% of supply to Aerodrome holders and 5.5% to Velodrome." url: https://basisdesk.news/news/aerodrome-velodrome-merge-aero-launch published: 2026-10-22T10:26:28.755Z modified: 2026-10-22T10:26:28.755Z section: DeFi author: Basis Desk Newsroom (AI-generated, source-verified) sentiment: neutral tickers: [AERO, VELO, ETH, BTC] tags: [Aerodrome, Velodrome, Aero, Token Migration, DEX, Base, OP Mainnet] license: Quote with attribution to Basis Desk (basisdesk.news). Not financial advice. --- # Aerodrome and Velodrome Merge to Launch Unified Aero Protocol The decentralized exchanges consolidated under a unified AERO token, distributing 94.5% of supply to Aerodrome holders and 5.5% to Velodrome. ## At a glance - **What happened:** Aerodrome and Velodrome executed a protocol merger on Oct. 21 to launch Aero, unifying their liquidity and tokens. - **Why it matters:** Legacy emissions have ceased, requiring liquidity providers and token holders to migrate to Aero to capture exchange revenue. - **Who is affected:** Holders of AERO, VELO, veAERO, veVELO, and liquidity providers on Aerodrome and Velodrome. - **Takes effect:** 2026-10-21 - **What's next:** Autopilot allocations begin streaming on Oct. 22 at 16:00 UTC to distribute automated pool rewards. - **Status:** announced - **Primary source:** [Upgrade and Launch Hub — Aero](https://aero.xyz/aero-upgrade) — aero.xyz ## Key points - Aerodrome and Velodrome merged into Aero on Oct. 21 at 8:00 p.m. EDT, unifying under a single token architecture. - Conversion rates stand at 1:1 for AERO holders and 0.044 for VELO holders, granting Aerodrome 94.5% and Velodrome 5.5% of the new supply. - The new protocol deployed across Base, Ethereum, OP Mainnet, Arbitrum, Ink, Arc, and Robinhood Chain, managed via Base gas fees. ## Editorial remark - **Context:** Aerodrome and Velodrome functioned as the dominant liquidity hubs on Base and OP Mainnet respectively, operating split ve-tokenomics across separate Layer 2 ecosystems. - **Impact:** Holders of VELO and AERO face shifted token mechanics and must migrate to earn protocol fees or LP rewards, as legacy gauge emissions have completely ceased. - **Watch:** The activation of Autopilot allocations on Oct. 22 at 16:00 UTC to steer pool incentives across the multi-chain deployment. Aerodrome and Velodrome completed their merger on Oct. 21 at 8:00 p.m. EDT (Oct. 22 at 00:00 UTC) to form Aero, a unified liquidity layer across Ethereum ecosystems [1]. The upgrade terminates emissions on legacy Aerodrome and Velodrome pools, replacing them with a single network token and staking framework [1]. At the time of writing, the broader market traded slightly lower, with $BTC at $81,990 and $ETH at $2,409. Under the migration structure, holders of liquid $AERO or veAERO receive the new $AERO token or staked sAERO at a 1:1 ratio [1]. Holders of $VELO or veVELO convert at an exchange rate of 0.044 new AERO per token [1]. The fixed ratio allocates 94.5% of the new token supply (2.01 billion tokens) to Aerodrome holders and 5.5% (117 million tokens) to Velodrome holders [1]. Based on current circulating figures, total supply is projected to rise to a maximum of approximately 2.127 billion AERO, while circulating supply will expand from roughly 1.01 billion to a maximum of 1.07 billion tokens [1]. Aero projected an annual realized inflation rate of roughly 12%, governed by an initial 20% annual ceiling [1]. ## Cross-Chain Staking and Deployment The protocol deployed across Base, Ethereum Mainnet, OP Mainnet, Arbitrum, Arc, Ink, and Robinhood Chain [1]. Staked AERO (sAERO) grants holders revenue claims and governance authority to steer pool rewards across any supported chain in a single transaction paying gas strictly on Base [1]. Position allocations carry an initial 47-hour cooldown between modifications [1]. Conversion portals remain active on legacy websites without an enforcement deadline, though front-end support for legacy contracts may terminate in the future [1]. Unconverted tokens will not enter circulation [1]. Unichain, Fraxtal, Soneium, and Celo will retain Velodrome liquidity deposits and trading interfaces without the legacy token economy [1]. Autopilot allocations scheduled for launch at 16:00 UTC on Oct. 22 will direct system emissions following early pool seeding by the Aero Foundation [1]. ## FAQ **What is the token conversion rate for AERO and VELO?** AERO converts 1:1 into the new AERO token or sAERO, while VELO converts at a rate of 0.044 new AERO per token. **Is there a deadline to migrate legacy tokens?** There is no set deadline to convert, but front ends for the legacy Aerodrome and Velodrome applications may be shut down at a later date. **Where does the new Aero protocol operate?** Aero is deployed on Base, Ethereum Mainnet, OP Mainnet, Arc, Ink, Robinhood Chain, and Arbitrum, with staking actions settling on Base. ## Sources 1. [Upgrade and Launch Hub — Aero](https://aero.xyz/aero-upgrade) — aero.xyz, 2026-10-22 --- Basis Desk Newsroom · AI-generated, source-verified · https://basisdesk.news/about/how-we-use-ai