This comprehensive guide explores Aero, the unified DeFi liquidity platform formed through the merger of Aerodrome and Velodrome, combining $530 million in total value locked. Launching in Q2 2026, Aero addresses liquidity fragmentation by consolidating assets across Base, Optimism, and Ethereum mainnet while expanding to Circle's Arc blockchain for institutional compliance. The platform leverages Dromos Labs' advanced METADEX03 operating system, featuring MEV capture, cross-chain trading, and enhanced capital efficiency mechanisms that benefit liquidity providers and traders alike. With intelligent routing and cross-chain liquidity aggregation, Aero targets 10-15% of Layer 2 DEX trading volume, positioning itself as a major competitor to established protocols like Uniswap on Gate. This guide details tokenomics, governance structures, technical upgrades, and competitive advantages designed to serve both retail and institutional users seeking efficient, compliant DeFi solutions.