Aerodrome V1 is a proven DEX on Base with strong market share, but it is entering its sunset phase as the Aero merger proceeds. Current V1 LPs should monitor migration timelines closely. The underlying AMM formulas are battle-tested and low-risk, but single-chain dependency on Base and the migration transition introduce operational uncertainty.
Top Risks
1
Aerodrome V1 is the original AMM using Uniswap V2 and Curve stableswap formulas, now being deprecated in favor of the merged Aero cross-chain DEX. Legacy V1 pools may receive less security attention.
2
DNS hijacking attack compromised Aerodrome frontend domains, exposing users to phishing. While smart contracts were unaffected, frontend dependency is a real attack surface for this protocol.
3
Planned Q2 2026 merger with Velodrome into unified Aero creates migration risk. V1 liquidity providers must migrate to the new system or face potential liquidity fragmentation.
Risk Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aerodrome V1 safe to use?
Aerodrome V1 receives a B- risk grade (32/100) from Hindenrank, where lower scores indicate lower risk. Aerodrome V1 is a proven DEX on Base with strong market share, but it is entering its sunset phase as the Aero merger proceeds. Current V1 LPs should monitor migration timelines closely. The underlying AMM formulas are battle-tested and low-risk, but single-chain dependency on Base and the migration transition introduce operational uncertainty. Aerodrome V1 is the original AMM (automated market maker) on Base, the Coinbase-backed Layer 2 chain. It uses simple, battle-tested formulas: constant product pools for regular trading pairs and Curve-style stable pools for pegged assets. AERO token holders can lock tokens as veAERO to vote on emission allocation and earn trading fees. The protocol is the dominant DEX on Base but is being merged with Velodrome (Optimism's top DEX) into a unified cross-chain Aero DEX.
What are the main risks of using Aerodrome V1?
The key risks identified for Aerodrome V1 are: (1) V1 is being deprecated as the Aero merger completes - LPs need to migrate or risk stranded liquidity (2) Past DNS hijacking attack showed frontend security weaknesses (smart contracts were safe) (3) Operates only on Base chain - if Base goes down, all trading and withdrawals freeze (4) Bribery markets can redirect AERO emissions to low-utility pools, reducing liquidity quality
What is Aerodrome V1's risk score breakdown?
Aerodrome V1 scores 32/100 across eight risk dimensions: Mechanism Novelty: 2/15, Interaction Severity: 6/20, Oracle Surface: 0/10, Documentation Gaps: 3/10, Track Record: 3/15, Scale Exposure: 7/10, Regulatory Risk: 2/10, Vitality Risk: 9/10. The highest risk area is Vitality Risk at 9/10.
How does Aerodrome V1 compare to other DEX protocols?
Among 111 rated DEX protocols on Hindenrank, Aerodrome V1 ranks #51 by safety (lowest risk score = safest). Its 32/100 risk score and B- grade place it in the middle tier of DEX protocols.
Has Aerodrome V1 ever been hacked or exploited?
Aerodrome V1 scores 3/15 on the Track Record risk dimension, indicating some history of security incidents or exploits. Higher scores reflect more severe or frequent incidents. Review the full risk report for details.