On April 8, 2025, the Aavegotchi community, known for its NFT gaming protocol, voted with a resounding 93.5% approval to abandon the Polygon blockchain and relocate its ecosystem to Base, an Ethereum Layer-2 solution supported by Coinbase. Dubbed the “Make Aavegotchi Based Again” proposal, this decision signals a pivotal change for the project and mirrors wider shifts in the blockchain arena. The move will retire Aavegotchi’s Polygon-based smart contracts, transitioning its assets and operations to Base to enhance user experience and capitalize on Base’s growing traction.
Reasons Behind the Move
Developed by Pixelcraft Studios in collaboration with Aave, Aavegotchi has been a standout in Web3 gaming. Its unique NFTs—ghost avatars staked with yield-bearing aTokens—flourished on Polygon thanks to its low costs and scalability. Yet, Polygon’s recent woes, including stagnant Total Value Locked (TVL) and fading user activity, led the community to reconsider its blockchain home.
Base, introduced by Coinbase, offers a strong alternative with its ties to Coinbase’s extensive retail audience, quicker transactions, and solid marketplace infrastructure. Aavegotchi’s founder highlighted Base’s retail appeal and its fit with the project’s aims of streamlining onboarding and gameplay. This shift also aligns with a larger trend where Ethereum Layer-2 networks like Base and Arbitrum are drawing projects away from Polygon.
How the Migration Will Work
The transition plan is thorough. All Aavegotchi assets—NFTs, wearables, game items, and smart contracts—will be replicated on Base in a 1:1 transfer. Polygon’s legacy assets will stay visible but locked, barring transfers or changes to ensure a seamless switch. The community’s governance site notes that Aavegotchi’s experimental Layer-3 network, Geist, will also be phased out as the project focuses fully on Base.
This isn’t a novel move for NFT projects. In 2023, y00ts left Polygon for Ethereum, even returning a $3 million grant. Aavegotchi’s exit adds to Polygon’s challenges in holding onto major protocols as Ethereum Layer-2s gain ground. X posts reveal divided opinions—some celebrate Base’s potential to boost Aavegotchi’s reach, while others mourn Polygon’s fading NFT clout.
Market Environment
The overwhelming community vote backed the migration. Source: Aavegotchi
The decision comes during a tough stretch for NFTs and gaming tokens. In 2025, memecoins and NFTs have seen steep declines in trading volume from their 2021 highs. Still, Aavegotchi’s supporters are hopeful, trusting Base’s capabilities to reignite interest. As of April 7, 2025, Bitcoin sits near $80,000 per CoinGecko, providing a steady crypto foundation, though Polygon and similar altcoin networks face headwinds.
Aavegotchi’s Future
Moving to Base sets Aavegotchi up to tap into Coinbase’s ecosystem, potentially drawing in fresh players and collectors. Faster transactions and better marketplace integration could lift its appeal as Web3 gaming seeks a revival. Success, however, depends on smooth execution and Base fulfilling its potential. For now, Aavegotchi’s bold leap reflects the fluid nature of blockchain loyalty, with projects seeking optimal tech and audiences in a fast-evolving market.
