AERO's Buybacks and Institutional Alliances Power Rally in Downturn

The cryptocurrency market continued its downward spiral in the final week of October 2025, with major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum posting losses. Yet, one token—Aerodrome Finance's AERO—defied the trend, surging 36% over the same period to become the top-performing decentralized exchange (DEX) token, according to a BeinCrypto report. The rally has drawn attention to a combination of strategic moves by the Aerodrome team and growing institutional interest in the project.

AERO's ascent is fueled by three key developments. First, Aerodrome Finance initiated a programmatic buyback of 560,000 tokens on October 23, locking them for long-term alignment with stakeholders. The buyback, part of a broader effort to reduce circulating supply, has reinforced investor confidence by signaling the project's commitment to sustainability, the BeinCrypto piece noted. Second, protocol revenue has surpassed emissions, a critical milestone that indicates the platform's financial health is improving. This shift has reduced concerns about inflationary pressures and stabilized token sentiment, the report added.

A third catalyst emerged as global Web3 investor Animoca Brands entered the scene. The company acquired and locked AERO tokens, giving it governance influence and underscoring the token's potential within the Base ecosystem, according to a Coindoo report. Animoca's move aligns with its broader strategy to integrate DeFi infrastructure into its Web3 portfolio, positioning AERO as a key asset in decentralized finance.

Meanwhile, Aerodrome's role as the leading DEX on Coinbase's Layer-2 blockchain has expanded. The platform now commands over 50% of Base's DEX total value locked (TVL), driven by its vote-directed rewards model. This mechanism allows AERO holders to allocate incentives to liquidity pools, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for traders and liquidity providers, Coindoo noted.

The token's momentum has also been amplified by external projects. On October 28, 2025, MWX—a decentralized AI marketplace for SMEs—launched its MWX Token (MWXT) on Aerodrome, marking the first AI token marketplace on the platform. The initiative, backed by Indonesia's Ministry of MSMEs, aims to democratize access to AI tools for 400 million SMEs globally. By operating on Base's network with deflationary tokenomics, MWXT's launch has further cemented Aerodrome's role as a hub for innovative token economies, according to a CryptoBriefing report.

Despite the broader crypto market slipping 1.4% weekly, AERO rose 2.57% in the same period, trading at $1.08. Analysts attribute its resilience to structural demand created by buybacks, reduced emissions, and strategic partnerships. However, challenges remain. The DEX sector as a whole fell 7% in the week, reflecting ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and regulatory uncertainty.

AERO's trajectory highlights a shift in DeFi, where projects with strong governance models and real-world utility are gaining traction. As institutional investors like Animoca Brands and platforms like MWX continue to anchor their ecosystems on Aerodrome, the token's performance may serve as a barometer for the sector's recovery.