Coinbase Just Supercharged Aerodrome (AERO)—Here’s Why That’s a Big Deal for DeFi
When a crypto heavyweight like Coinbase makes a move, markets listen. But this time, it didn’t just nudge a price—it sent AERO soaring 35% in a day.
Let’s break down exactly what happened, why it matters, and what smart investors should be watching next.
What’s the Big News?
On Thursday, Coinbase officially integrated Base chain DEX services into its main app—and guess who’s at the heart of that integration?
Aerodrome Finance (AERO), the leading decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Base chain.
That single move triggered a market jolt. AERO surged nearly 35% in the last few days. While the broader crypto market was weighed down by geopolitical noise, AERO stood out as a rare green light.
This isn’t just another price pump. It’s a strategic shift that brings DEX liquidity directly into Coinbase’s 110M+ user ecosystem.
Why Coinbase’s Move Matters (Big Time)
Let’s be clear: this is much more than just a token rally.
Coinbase is doing something DeFi builders have been dreaming about for years—blending centralized ease with decentralized power.
By integrating Aerodrome into its app:
- Users get direct access to Base chain DEX liquidity—without switching apps or using clunky wallets.
- Aerodrome gains massive exposure to everyday crypto users who may never have touched DeFi before.
- Coinbase levels up its “Onchain Summer” mission, proving it’s serious about user-friendly decentralized finance.
This isn’t a beta test. This is the real deal—and it could be a blueprint for how CeFi and DeFi can finally play nice together.
. @coinbase is moving the business onchain
— jesse.base.eth (@jessepollak) January 16, 2025
day one: a BTC-backed loan in <60s, all onchain with @MorphoLabs on @base
what do you want to see next? pic.twitter.com/lNtRv6PKB0
Aerodrome by the Numbers
Let’s look under the hood.
- 🚀 Launched: 2023
- 📈 TVL (Total Value Locked): Nearly $950 million
- 💸 Daily Trading Volume: Over $500 million
- 🧠 Rewards: Users who lock AERO tokens earn a share of protocol fees
Aerodrome has already climbed to #2 DEX on the Base network—and this integration could make it the undisputed king.
What This Means for the Base Chain
Coinbase built Base as its own Ethereum Layer 2 network—and it’s gaining momentum fast.
This DEX integration does two powerful things:
- Grows Base’s ecosystem by bringing real utility and liquidity into the chain.
- Sets the stage for institutional adoption, as frictionless UX meets high-speed, low-cost transactions.
With Aerodrome leading the DeFi charge and Base handling the speed, Coinbase is building an L2 powerhouse that can compete with Optimism and Arbitrum.
Final Takeaway: This Isn’t Just a Token Pump—It’s an Infrastructure Shift
Yes, AERO’s price pop made headlines. But savvy investors should look beyond that.
This is about mainstream access to decentralized trading. Coinbase just put Aerodrome on a rocketship—and in doing so, it brought us one step closer to a world where DeFi feels just like using Venmo.
What You Should Do Next:
- Watch Aerodrome’s usage metrics. More users + more trading = stronger fundamentals.
- Track Coinbase’s next DeFi integrations. This is likely just the beginning.
- Explore Base-based DeFi early. Infrastructure is being built fast, and first-movers often win big.
Stay sharp. The future of finance isn’t coming—it’s already being coded.
Want more insights like this delivered DeFi-style? Let’s keep you ahead of the curve.
