Aster Excludes Liquidity Providers to Prevent Airdrop Centralization

Aster, a decentralized perpetual exchange, has announced that liquidity providers (market makers) will not participate in the Rh token activity tied to its airdrop program. The platform emphasized the establishment of guidelines to ensure fair and impartial distribution of its $ASTER token airdrop to community members. This decision aligns with Aster’s broader strategy to prioritize user-driven participation over institutional liquidity incentives, reinforcing its commitment to decentralized governance and community ownership .

The $ASTER token airdrop, a cornerstone of Aster’s tokenomics, allocates 53.5% of the total supply—4.28 billion tokens—to community rewards. Of this, 704 million tokens (8.8% of the total supply) were unlocked immediately upon the Token Generation Event (TGE) on September 17, 2025, for users who participated in Aster’s Spectra Stage 1 and Stage 2 programs. The remaining tokens will be distributed over 80 months, subject to protocol governance adjustments. This phased approach aims to balance immediate user incentives with long-term sustainability .

Aster’s airdrop criteria focus on user activity metrics, including trading volume, position-holding duration, and the use of platform-specific assets like asBNB and USDF. The Stage 2 Rh points program, which began post-TGE, employs a multi-dimensional scoring system to reward trading quality over quantity. Key factors include taker volume (which earns 2x points compared to maker orders), extended position-holding periods, and the utilization of yield-bearing collateral. Notably, spot trading and holding do not contribute to Rh points in Phase 2, underscoring the platform’s emphasis on perpetual futures activity .

The exclusion of market makers from Rh points activity is a strategic move to prevent centralization risks and ensure equitable airdrop distribution. By disqualifying liquidity providers from earning Rh points, Aster mitigates potential manipulation of trading metrics and prioritizes organic user participation. This approach aligns with the platform’s vision of fostering a decentralized ecosystem where community contributions drive protocol growth .

Aster’s tokenomics further highlight its commitment to community governance and ecosystem development. A 30% allocation (2.4 billion tokens) is reserved for ecosystem grants, marketing, and liquidity bootstrapping, while 7% (560 million tokens) is allocated to the Treasury for strategic initiatives. The team’s 5% (400 million tokens) is subject to a four-year linear vesting schedule, and 4.5% (360 million tokens) is reserved for exchange listings. These allocations reflect a balanced strategy to incentivize both immediate and long-term participation .

The airdrop’s success hinges on sustained user engagement, with weekly snapshots and a 70-day claim window (September 17–October 17, 2025). Unclaimed tokens will be redirected to the Airdrop & Community Rewards pool for future distribution. This mechanism ensures that inactive accounts do not dilute the value of the airdrop, while encouraging continuous participation .

Aster’s approach has been praised for its transparency and fairness, with 53.5% of the token supply dedicated to community rewards—a figure significantly higher than industry averages. The platform’s focus on yield-bearing collateral and multi-chain support (BNB Chain, Ethereum, Arbitrum, and Solana) further enhances its appeal to traders seeking both capital efficiency and accessibility. As the decentralized perpetuals market evolves, Aster’s airdrop strategy positions it as a strong contender against established players like Hyperliquid .

[1] Aster: Market makers will not participate in the RH points activity... (https://www.odaily.news/en/newsflash/449670)

[2] Tokenomics | Aster (https://docs.asterdex.com/usdaster/tokenomics)

[3] Aster Research: TGE Date, Airdrop Amount & How to Participate (https://blog.jucoin.com/aster-tge-airdrop-guide/)

[4] Aster Airdrop Guide | How To Get Aster Airdrop? (https://usethebitcoin.com/airdrop/aster-airdrop-guide/)

[9] Trade Smarter & Earn Better | Aster (https://docs.asterdex.com/stage-2-genesis/trade-smarter-and-earn-better)

[11] Aster (ASTER) Listing: $ASTER Launch Date! How Aster Powers … (https://web3.bitget.com/en/academy/aster-listing-details-aster-launch-date-and-how-aster-powers-perpetual-and-spot-trading)