Right now, something historic is unfolding: the proposal to transition from ApeDAO to ApeCo is being voted on. And if everything goes as expected, we’re about to enter a whole new era—one with more focused execution, a dedicated team, and an ecosystem poised to grow in ways we haven’t seen before.
This isn’t just a name change. It’s a fundamental shift in direction and in possibility—a laser focus on turning ApeChain into something vibrant, sustainable, and undeniably Ape.
Because this moment matters. Because we care. And because we believe that the best way to honor everything that’s come before is to step back, zoom out, and ask: what does this ecosystem really need? What is it still missing?
The legendary evolution of BAYC. It is one of a kind. What makes it special isn’t just hype — it’s the loyalty, the culture, the sense of belonging that the community has built over time. The people who are still here aren’t here because of the Apecoin price. They’re here because they care. The genuine spirit in this community is something that newer comers just can’t replicate,
There are communities where everything revolves around token price speculation. But Apes? It’s history. It’s energy. It’s identity.
We want to contribute from a place of clarity — from what we’re good at, and what we truly believe in.
ApeChain’s Ecosystem: A Critical Look at NFTs, Value, and the Road Ahead
Let’s dive into ApeChain’s current ecosystem and break it down. Launched in October 2024 using the Arbitrum Orbit tech stack, ApeChain is designed to power the ApeCoin ecosystem. Right now, its heartbeat is NFT activity—transaction volumes are humming, and they’re highly driven by NFT minting, trading and staking.
The narrative ApeChain is pushing? It’s aiming to be the “Best Chain for NFTs” (according to social media). Given its deep roots in Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC), and the Yuga Labs metaverse (Otherside), that ambition tracks. NFTs are the ecosystem’s bread and butter.
But Here’s the Reality
As of now, ApeChain’s onchain stats is significantly lower than competing chains. For example, Base—which launched not too long before ApeChain—has seen much higher activity across a broader set of use cases, including DeFi, social, and currently real-world assets.
In comparison, ApeChain’s volume is highly concentrated in NFT collectibles, which is great in the short term—but fragile over time.
( APE and ETH are the native gas and core currency of ApeChain and Base ecosystems. Tracking how much of them is actually used (not just held or speculated on) gives us a direct view into how active and healthy each chain’s economy really is. *Note: It’s not a perfectly scientific comparison, but it gives us a directional signal.)
Let’s take it a step further. Ronin, which started as the chain for Axie Infinity, followed a trajectory that ApeChain could mirror—beginning with a flagship IP, then evolving into a broader ecosystem. Today, Ronin sees around $2.68M in monthly NFT trading volume, while Immutable zkEVM—home to several AAA-quality Web3 games — leads with an impressive $34.74M. By comparison, ApeChain is already close to Ronin at $2.3M (according to Magic Eden), even without a killer dApp yet. That’s a promising signal.
But here’s the catch: active users on both Ronin and Immutable are declining, and overall sentiment around blockchain gaming is cooling. We may be entering a tough, cold market—where hype isn’t enough, and thriving requires substance.
Ronin gives us a clue about resilience: its DeFi TVL is strong, largely driven by Katana DEX. That’s key. Growth also comes from ecosystem synergy, not just more dApps—but dApps that reinforce each other. If ApeChain wants to thrive, it needs to move beyond collectibles into other sectors that support each other and create a sticky network effect.
The State of NFTs on ApeChain
So far, though, the NFTs on ApeChain are mostly collectibles—think digital art, profile pics, and tokenized status symbols. And sure, some of these are crafted by incredible artists, but here’s the catch: the contemporary art market is notoriously volatile. NFT art? It’s an even smaller niche with wilder swings. That makes it tough to generate sustainable, long-term value for these tokens. The hype can carry you for a while, but what happens when it fades? ApeChain being a home for NFTs isn’t the issue—it’s a great fit. The real challenge is figuring out how to make that home a lasting one.
Beyond Collectibles: The Bigger Potential
Here’s where it gets interesting. NFTs aren’t just collectibles; they’re a technology with a ton of untapped potential. We’re talking about tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) like property or intellectual property, creating digital identities, or even building entirely new on-chain business models. ApeChain could be the hub for all of that—not just a marketplace for PFPs or digital art.
The ecosystem has the tech and the community to pull it off, but it’s on us to push the boundaries. How do we shift from volatile collectibles to utilities that create enduring value? That’s the million-APE question.
Bringing Real-World Utility to ApeChain: Our Vision for Tokenized Real Estate
ApeChain has always been more than just a blockchain to us—it’s an ecosystem brimming with potential, and we’re here to help it grow by introducing real-world utility. Our project RealtyX is all about tokenizing real estate, a powerful way to bridge the digital and physical worlds.
We’ve already experimented with all the key functionalities on the Base blockchain — tokenization flows, DeFi lending, and staking—and now we’re bringing that expertise to ApeChain. But we’re not stopping at the tech. Our vision is to combine this with a unique Web3 lifestyle driven by real-world value, supercharging the ApeChain economy in the process.
(We’ve already tokenized our BAYC-themed apartment in Dubai on the Base blockchain—now it’s time to bring the next phase to ApeChain.)
Why Real Estate?
We believe there’s no better medium than real estate to make this happen. It’s not just about digital speculation—real estate offers powerful, real-life utility. It’s tangible, it’s stable, and it can generate lasting value. Through tokenization, we can unlock a world of possibilities, from compliant structures to innovative business models.
For example, imagine using NFTs to represent revenue shares from a property, where holders can stake those tokens to access real-world perks like accommodation rights, rental income, or exclusive experiences. That’s the kind of utility we’re talking about—something you can see, feel, and benefit from.
What We’re Building
We’re already putting this vision into action. Lately, we’ve partnered with a well-established construction company to build boutique hotels in unique locations and using eco-friendly construction materials—think natural getaways built with sustainable materials.
The hotel in the photo above is real—located in a scenic area in southern China, and available to book through [ Trip.com, search for Wuyuan Zuo’an Zhiye Homestay ]
I also posted a video on Twitter last weekend of another hotel we visited, built by this same company—that’s the vibe we’re going for.
These properties aren’t just beautiful; they’re designed to bring real-world yield, utility, and experiences to the ApeChain ecosystem. Whether it’s staking an NFT for a free stay, earning rental income, or enjoying a one-of-a-kind retreat, we’re creating a lifestyle that ties Web3 to the real world.
Building Together with the ApeChain Community, and of course, MBAs!
This isn’t just about us. We want to build this with the ApeChain community. Your ideas, your feedback, and your participation are what will make this project thrive. We’ve got the foundation—tested tech, solid partnerships, and a clear vision—but the magic happens when we collaborate.
We’re putting a lot of emphasis on Made by Apes (MBA) in our project on ApeChain—and for good reason. In our opinion, MBA embodies the entrepreneurial spirit we all love—hundreds of creators crafting everything from craft beers to digital art. It’s a showcase of what our community is capable of, and we want to amplify that and bring their stories to life.
The Snack Station Plan
On our ApeChain expansion roadmap, it starts with the snack station plan. Checking into our eco-friendly Airbnbs or boutique hotel rooms, guests are greeted by a curated selection of MBA goodies—like Ape Beverages, Mutant Beer, nuts and chips from Boring Merch. More than F&B—it’s a taste of ApeChain. Here’s why it works:
- For Guests: A unique, community-made experience that sets our properties apart.
- For MBA Creators: Real-world exposure to new audiences, boosting their brand and business.
- For ApeChain: A tangible example of how our ecosystem delivers utility beyond the blockchain.
Taking It Further
The snack station is just the beginning. Here are some ideas to deepen the MBA integration:
- Custom Decor: Collaborate with MBA artists to design exclusive wall art, furniture, or decor for our properties. Imagine a lobby with a vibe that screams ApeChain creativity.
- MBA Amenities: Stock rooms with MBA-made soaps, candles, or other artisanal products—small touches that tell a bigger story.
- Digital Showcases: Add QR codes linking to a blockchain-tracked showcase. Guests scan, learn about the creators behind their beer or decor, and maybe even buy more—all tied back to ApeChain.
- On top of that, with VIP clubs already active in the ecosystem, we can explore affiliate models and shared accommodation revenue—turning community members into partners in both experience and upside.
These aren’t just ideas—they’re opportunities to grow this partnership, and we’re excited to see where it can go with your input.
Let’s Get Started
On the funding side, we’ll be applying for ApeChain grants and other ecosystem funding opportunities as they become available. We’re currently supported by the Aptos Accelerator, Plume Network’s grant, and are incubated at Hong Kong Cyberport. We understand that typical grants usually aren’t huge sums, but every bit goes directly into building the ecosystem—like liquidity provision, yield incentives for our users, and partnerships with MBA.
We also recognize that some DAO funds in the past have been misused. Giving back and supporting the community is our core ethos, and that’s exactly what we’ve proven to do.
We’re excited to dive deeper, share more details, and hear what you think. This is about creating something new, something real, and something that benefits everyone in the ApeChain ecosystem.
I’m Jade, founding member of RealtyX. If any of this resonates with you or sparks an idea, I’d love to chat. You can reach me here:
Twitter/X: @web3jade_io
Telegram: web3jade
Email: jade@realtyx.co