Deep Dive
1. Aero Merger (November 2025)
Overview: Velodrome merged with Aerodrome to form Aero, a cross-chain DEX combining governance, liquidity, and incentives across Base, Optimism, and Ethereum.
The merger introduced a new unified AERO token (replacing VELO) and integrated Velodrome V2’s vote-lock governance with Aerodrome’s emissions engine. The codebase now supports METADEX03, an operating system reducing value leakage by 40% and operational costs by ~$34M annually.
What this means: This is bullish for VELO because cross-chain liquidity aggregation could boost trading volume and fee revenue. However, VELO holders receive only 5.5% of the new token supply, reflecting Aerodrome’s larger TVL dominance. (Source)
2. SuperSwaps Integration (July 2025)
Overview: Velodrome launched SuperSwaps, enabling native cross-chain swaps across Optimism Superchain networks without bridges.
Built using Hyperlane’s interoperability protocol, the update lets users swap assets directly between chains like OP Mainnet, Mode, and Unichain within Velodrome’s interface.
What this means: This is neutral for VELO as it improves user experience but increases competition with other cross-chain DEXs. The feature has driven $250M+ volume on Unichain within two weeks post-launch. (Source)
3. Slipstream V2 (November 2025)
Overview: The merger introduced Slipstream V2, a concentrated liquidity model akin to Uniswap V3, reducing slippage by 15–30%.
This update allows LPs to set custom price ranges, improving capital efficiency. Pools like USDC-WETH now offer ~365% APY, up from ~200% pre-upgrade.
What this means: This is bullish for VELO because higher yields could attract more liquidity, increasing protocol fees and veVELO voter rewards. (Source)
Conclusion
Velodrome’s codebase shifts toward cross-chain interoperability and capital efficiency, though its merger terms dilute VELO’s influence relative to AERO. Will Aero’s multichain reach offset VELO’s reduced governance share in the long term?