Aavegotchi Votes to Ditch Polygon for Base Blockchain
Aavegotchi, a Web3 gaming protocol with a focus on NFT collectibles, has voted to depreciate its Polygon-based smart contracts and migrate fully to Base, the layer-2 Ethereum network backed by Coinbase.
Overwhelming Community Support
The “Make Aavegotchi Based Again” motion, supported by 93.5% votes, was voted through on an April 8 onchain ballot. As proposed, the adjustment is a tactical step to react to slow network growth and market headwinds.
Founder Dan cited the traction of the Base ecosystem and close teamwork with Base developers as some of the major driving factors for the switch.
NFT Gaming Adapts to Market Pressure
With increasingly ubiquitous crypto market downturns driven by U.S. policy changes like Trump’s recent tariffs on imported goods, Aavegotchi is scaling back. Developer Pixelcraft Studios just downsized its team to create more fiscal runway.
“Memecoins and NFTs have been some of the most impacted segments this year,” Dan said.
Polygon’s Challenges Highlighted
Polygon, once a hotbed for NFT and gaming-focused projects previously, now sees user exodus and liquidity crises. Its value locked has decreased from an all-time high of more than $10 billion in 2021 to $725 million according to DeFiLlama.
Dan was also harsh on the network for failing to innovate with gaming: “Polygon has shipped no significant updates or features to PoS to make it enable enhanced ecosystem coherence or discovery for gaming.”
In contrast, Base and Arbitrum now both boast over $2 billion in TVL.
Base: A Rising Player in Web3 Gaming
Launched by Coinbase in 2023, Base operates as an Ethereum layer-2 chain using optimistic rollup technology. Its strong retail presence and developer-friendly environment make it an appealing alternative for protocols like Aavegotchi.
Base’s performance and longevity potential, combined with Coinbase’s backing, gave it the edge over Polygon, Dan emphasized.
Aavegotchi’s Future on Base
Originally designed by Aave and Pixelcraft Studios, Aavegotchi has wearable and tradable NFT avatars. Base migration is the new beginning for the project, trying to rekindle activity in the face of crypto’s shifting landscape.
Aavegotchi is now the newest protocol to join a growing list of protocols looking for more resilient and scalable platforms to weather 2025’s crypto economy volatility.
