ApeCoin (APE), launched on March 17, 2022, is an ERC-20 governance and utility token on the Ethereum blockchain, powering the APE ecosystem. Inspired by Yuga Labs’ Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), ApeCoin enables decentralized community building in Web3, supporting gaming, NFTs, and metaverse projects like Otherside. APE is used for governance, ecosystem transactions, and exclusive access to services, with $1.4B in total value locked (TVL) across ApeChain.

Key Features

  • Decentralized Governance: ApeCoin DAO allows APE holders to vote on ecosystem proposals and fund allocations.
  • Multi-Chain Potential: Operates on Ethereum and ApeChain, a dedicated Layer 3 blockchain for BAYC-related dApps.
  • High Trading Volume: Averages $50.8M in daily volume across 166+ exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.
  • Ecosystem: Supports BAYC, Otherside, and third-party projects like Animoca Brands, with 800M+ tokens in circulation.

APE Token

  • Purpose: Used for governance, payments, staking, and access to exclusive APE ecosystem services.
  • Supply: Circulating supply of ~800 million APE, with a max supply of 1 billion (all minted at launch).
  • Contract Address: On Ethereum, APE’s contract is 0x4d224452801aced8b2f0aebe155379bb5d594381 (addable to MetaMask). CoinGecko CMC.

Who Are the Founders of ApeCoin?

ApeCoin was created by the ApeCoin DAO, with the APE Foundation as its steward, supported by Yuga Labs, creators of BAYC. Key figures include Alexis Ohanian (Reddit co-founder) on the DAO’s Board. Launched with backing from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), the DAO governs fund allocation, with 62% of APE tokens dedicated to the Ecosystem Fund.

What Makes ApeCoin Unique?

ApeCoin stands out for its cultural and governance focus:

  • Community-Driven: ApeCoin DAO empowers holders to shape the ecosystem, from NFT projects to metaverse development.
  • BAYC Integration: Adopted by Yuga Labs as the primary token for BAYC and Otherside, driving Web3 culture.
  • ApeChain: A Layer 3 blockchain launched, hosting $1.4B TVL and dApps like Camelot V2.
  • Exclusive Access: Grants holders access to BAYC events, games, and metaverse features like Otherside.

APE Network Upgrades (2025)

  • ApeChain Launch (Q1 2025): Deployed a Layer 3 blockchain, boosting TPS to 10,000 and reducing fees to ~$0.005.
  • Glyph Integration (June 2025): Introduced Glyph, a wallet by Privy, simplifying APE asset management with X or email login.
  • ApeCo Proposal (June 2025): Yuga Labs’ AIP-596 proposed replacing the DAO with ApeCo, enhancing builder support; voting closed June 26, 2025.

How Is APE Secured?

ApeCoin and its ecosystem are secured through:

  • Ethereum PoS: Leverages Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake for transaction security and smart contract execution.
  • ApeCoin DAO: Decentralized governance ensures transparent fund allocation via multi-sig wallets.
  • Smart Contract Audits: Regular audits by firms like OpenZeppelin protect dApps and protocols.
  • ApeChain Security: Layer 3 inherits Ethereum’s security while using Arbitrum for scalability.

Conclusion

ApeCoin (APE) powers a vibrant Web3 ecosystem, bridging NFTs, gaming, and the metaverse through the ApeCoin DAO and ApeChain. With $1.4B in TVL, community-driven governance, and integrations like Glyph, APE drives cultural innovation. Despite governance debates.