ApeCoin DAO Launches Its Own Blockchain, ApeChain, Using Arbitrum Orbit Tech

The new chain is designed to make development easier and fix long-standing performance issues that slowed down the ApeCoin ecosystem.

The ApeCoin DAO has launched its own blockchain, ApeChain, powered by Arbitrum Orbit technology. This move aims to streamline development and address persistent performance issues that have slowed down the ApeCoin ecosystem.

The need for a dedicated chain arose due to critical issues during peak usage. A major turning point was the Otherside NFT mint from Yuga Labs, which generated over $157 million in Ethereum gas fees. Many users experienced failed transactions or lost funds. This incident highlighted the network’s unpreparedness for high demand.

Additionally, $APE lacked a clear home, being spread across multiple blockchains. This posed difficulties for developers in creating consistent tools or applications. ApeChain solves this by uniting everything under one scalable, developer-focused system.

Several options, including Optimism, Polygon, and zkSync, were considered by the ApeCoin DAO. After a vote, Arbitrum Orbit was selected, with approximately half the community supporting the move. The decision focused on Orbit's compatibility with Ethereum, support for custom gas tokens like $APE, and familiar developer tools.

One such tool is Stylus, which enables builders to code in Rust and C++. This unlocks the possibility for more sophisticated applications, particularly in gaming and complex DeFi tools. Cross-chain support was also essential, leading to the integration of LayerZero to facilitate seamless asset movement across networks.

At launch, ApeChain boasted strong infrastructure with Alchemy and Nirvana providing RPC services, Pyth Network delivering oracle data, and Etherscan handling transaction tracking. Goldsky and Covalent offered data indexing, providing ample backend support for builders.

The ecosystem experienced rapid growth with ApeExpress, a meme coin launchpad, launching 55 tokens within a 24-hour period. Some of these tokens reached multi-million dollar market caps. To date, over 60 applications, including games, reward platforms, and trading tools, are operating on ApeChain.

Block times can reach as low as 100 milliseconds, and shared costs with Arbitrum One keep fees minimal. This promotes fast and affordable development, especially in comparison to running applications directly on Ethereum.

By using $APE as the gas token and consolidating development tools, ApeChain grants the ApeCoin DAO control over its future expansion. The infrastructure provides a one-stop shop for builders, reduces friction, and positions the ecosystem for broader adoption.