In a decisive move on April 8, 2025, the Aavegotchi community, a popular NFT gaming protocol, voted overwhelmingly to leave the Polygon blockchain and shift its entire ecosystem to Base, an Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution backed by Coinbase. With a strong 93.5% approval rate, the “Make Aavegotchi Based Again” proposal marks a major shift for the project. It reflects broader trends in the competitive blockchain landscape. The migration will deprecate Aavegotchi’s smart contracts on Polygon. Meanwhile, its assets and operations will relaunch on Base to improve user experience and tap into Base’s rising momentum.
Why the Shift?
Aavegotchi, created by Pixelcraft Studios with Aave, has stood out in Web3 gaming since launch. Its NFTs—customizable ghost avatars staked with yield-generating aTokens—initially thrived on Polygon. The network’s low fees and scalability helped adoption. However, Polygon’s recent struggles—such as stagnant TVL and declining user activity—prompted the Aavegotchi community to reassess its blockchain choice.
Base, launched by Coinbase, has emerged as a compelling alternative. Its integration with Coinbase’s vast retail user base, faster transaction speeds, and robust marketplace support were cited as key reasons for the move. Aavegotchi’s founder emphasized Base’s strength among retail users and its alignment with the protocol’s goal of improving onboarding and gameplay. The decision also reflects a broader trend in the Ethereum Layer-2 space, as networks like Base and Arbitrum increasingly pull developers and users away from Polygon.
Migration Details
The migration plan is comprehensive. All Aavegotchi assets—including its signature NFTs, wearables, game items, and smart contracts—will be cloned and redeployed on Base in a 1:1 manner. Legacy assets on Polygon will remain viewable but frozen, preventing transfers or updates to ensure a smooth transition. The community’s governance page confirms that this shift will also involve sunsetting Aavegotchi’s experimental Layer-3 network, Geist, as the protocol consolidates its efforts on Base.
This isn’t the first time an NFT project has jumped ship. In 2023, the y00ts collection moved from Polygon to Ethereum, returning a $3 million grant in the process. Aavegotchi’s departure further highlights Polygon’s struggles to retain high-profile projects as Ethereum Layer-2 solutions gain traction. Posts on X show mixed reactions. Some users praise Base’s potential to raise Aavegotchi’s profile. Others regret Polygon’s decline in NFT relevance.
Market Context
The Aavegotchi community strongly supported the migration through a decisive vote. Source: Aavegotchi
The vote coincides with a challenging period for NFTs and gaming tokens. Memecoins and NFTs have been among the hardest-hit segments of Web3 in 2025, with trading volumes down significantly from their 2021 peaks. Despite this, Aavegotchi’s community remains optimistic, banking on Base’s infrastructure to revitalize engagement. As of April 7, 2025, Bitcoin trades near $80,000, per CoinGecko, signaling a stable backdrop for crypto innovations, though altcoin ecosystems like Polygon face pressure.
What’s Next for Aavegotchi?
The migration to Base positions Aavegotchi to leverage Coinbase’s ecosystem, potentially attracting new players and collectors. Improved transaction speeds and marketplace access could enhance the protocol’s appeal, especially as Web3 gaming seeks to rebound. However, the success of this shift hinges on execution and Base’s ability to deliver on its promises. For now, Aavegotchi’s bold move underscores the fluidity of blockchain allegiance, as projects chase the best technology and user base to thrive in a dynamic market.
