AERO’s Share Repurchases and Strategic Partnerships Drive Surge Amid Market Slump

During the last week of October 2025, the cryptocurrency sector experienced further declines, with leading coins such as

and both registering losses. However, Aerodrome Finance's AERO token stood out, climbing 36% in the same timeframe and becoming the highest-gaining decentralized exchange (DEX) token, as highlighted in a . This impressive performance has been linked to a series of calculated actions by the Aerodrome team and a surge in institutional backing for the project.

Three main factors have propelled AERO's growth. To start, on October 23, Aerodrome Finance executed a systematic repurchase of 560,000 tokens, locking them away to align with long-term stakeholder interests. This buyback, which is part of a larger initiative to decrease the available supply, has boosted investor trust by demonstrating the project's dedication to long-term viability, according to BeinCrypto. Next, the platform's revenue has overtaken its emissions, marking a significant improvement in its financial outlook. This development has eased worries about inflation and helped stabilize the token's perception, the report continued.

A third driving force appeared when global Web3 investor Animoca Brands became involved. The firm purchased and locked AERO tokens, gaining governance power and highlighting the token's value within the Base ecosystem, as reported by

. Animoca's investment fits its broader goal of incorporating DeFi infrastructure into its Web3 holdings, positioning AERO as a pivotal asset in decentralized finance.

At the same time, Aerodrome has strengthened its position as the top DEX on Coinbase's Layer-2 blockchain. The platform now holds more than half of Base's DEX total value locked (TVL), thanks to its vote-driven rewards system. This approach lets AERO holders direct incentives to specific liquidity pools, fostering a sustainable environment for both traders and liquidity providers, according to Coindoo.

External projects have also contributed to AERO's momentum. On October 28, 2025, MWX—a decentralized AI marketplace for small and medium-sized enterprises—introduced its MWX Token (MWXT) on Aerodrome, establishing the platform's first AI token marketplace. Supported by Indonesia's Ministry of MSMEs, this project seeks to make AI tools accessible to 400 million SMEs worldwide. By leveraging Base's network and deflationary tokenomics, the MWXT launch has further solidified Aerodrome's reputation as a center for innovative token economies, as noted in a

.

While the overall crypto market dropped by 1.4% over the week, AERO advanced 2.57%, reaching $1.08. Experts credit its strength to ongoing buybacks, lower emissions, and strategic alliances. Nonetheless, the DEX market as a whole declined by 7% during the week, reflecting persistent macroeconomic and regulatory challenges.

AERO's progress signals a shift in DeFi, where projects with robust governance and practical applications are gaining momentum. With institutional players like Animoca Brands and platforms such as MWX building on Aerodrome, the token's performance could become a key indicator for the sector's rebound.