Aster News Today: Aster DEX Locks 4% ASTER in Treasury to Reinforce Transparent Airdrop

Aster DEX has transferred 4% of its ASTER token supply from the airdrop reserve to its treasury contract, a move designed to prepare for the upcoming Stage 2 airdrop and reinforce transparency in its token distribution process. The on-chain transaction, announced via X on October 13, 2025, ensures that 320 million ASTER tokens-valued at approximately $700 million at current prices-are securely allocated for verified users. The transfer, initiated by core developers, underscores the project's commitment to verifiable token management and combating misinformation.

The Stage 2 airdrop, which rewards users based on trading activity, referral participation, and use of yield-bearing collateral like asBNB and USDF, is a pivotal step in Aster's tokenomics strategy. By locking tokens in the treasury, the DEX guarantees a verified pool of assets for distribution while enabling real-time audits of its fund flows. This approach addresses past controversies, including allocation errors that delayed the airdrop and sparked user complaints about uneven token rewards. The team emphasized that the transfer would prevent unverified wallet transactions and ensure a "smooth claim process" for the 154,000+ wallets expected to participate.

The airdrop checker, launched on October 10, allows users to preview their eligible ASTER allocations based on Rh points earned from trading volume, position duration, and collateral usage. Participants can choose to claim tokens or opt for a full refund of their Stage 2 trading fees in USDT. The claim window closes on October 17, with unclaimed tokens redirected to Aster's ecosystem fund.

Market reactions have been mixed. ASTER's price surged 15% to $1.50 in the week following the treasury transfer, driven by renewed optimism and a 27% rise in 24-hour trading volume. Analysts attribute the rally to Aster's aggressive incentives and its positioning as a challenger to Hyperliquid, which currently holds 38% of the perpetual DEX market. Aster's multi-chain support, 1001x leverage, and privacy-focused features have attracted retail and institutional traders, though critics warn of volatility risks tied to the airdrop's token unlock.

The DEX's transparency efforts contrast with recent scrutiny of centralized exchanges like Binance, where founder CZ has publicly endorsed Aster. By publicly verifying each transaction, Aster aims to build trust in an industry plagued by liquidity manipulation and opaque fund management. The team also announced plans to implement anti-abuse filters in Stage 3 to combat wash trading, a practice that has distorted volume metrics on other platforms.

Looking ahead, bulls target $1.80 for ASTER, with some analysts forecasting a potential $2.00 psychological level if the airdrop stabilizes demand. The project's roadmap includes launching its L1 blockchain in Q4 2025, which promises faster execution and enhanced privacy features. However, challenges remain: regulatory scrutiny of dark pools and concerns over concentrated token ownership-6 wallets control 96% of ASTER-could dampen long-term growth.

[1] Aster DEX allocates 4% of ASTER supply to treasury ahead of ... (https://invezz.com/news/2025/10/13/aster-dex-allocates-4-of-aster-supply-to-treasury-ahead-of-stage-2-airdrop/)

[2] Aster DEX Transfers 4% of ASTER Tokens Ahead of Stage 2 Airdrop (https://blocknews.com/aster-dex-transfers-4-of-aster-tokens-ahead-of-stage-2-airdrop/)

[3] Aster DEX Transfers 4% Token Supply to Treasury Pre Airdrop (https://www.cryptonewsz.com/aster-dex-transfers-4-of-token-supply/)

[10] Aster Airdrop 2.0 Explained: Stage 2 Rewards and How to Claim (https://www.bitrue.com/blog/aster-airdrop-2-stage2-rewards-claim-guide)