Aster News Today: Aster's Airdrop 2.0: Tokens or Full Fee Refund Option

Aster DEX's Genesis Airdrop 2.0 Stage 2 concluded on October 5, 2025, with the distribution of 320 million $ASTER tokens-4% of the total supply-to eligible users. The airdrop's eligibility checker became accessible on October 10, 2025, allowing participants to verify their rewards based on Rh points earned through trading volume, position holding, yield-bearing collateral usage (e.g., asBNB, USDF), and referral activity. Claims opened on October 14 and closed on October 17, with no lockup or vesting periods for the tokens, enabling immediate liquidity. Unclaimed tokens were reallocated to the ecosystem fund after the deadline.

The airdrop's reward mechanism emphasized real trading activity and community engagement, addressing feedback from Stage 1. Participants could earn Rh points through actions such as executing taker orders (double points), holding positions for extended durations, and using referral codes. The system also excluded market-making strategies to prioritize genuine participation. By October 5, open interest in ASTER derivatives had surged to $5 billion, reflecting strong market interest.

A notable update in Stage 2 was the introduction of a choice between receiving the airdrop or opting for a full refund of Stage 2 trading fees. This "zero-fee" option, available from October 10–12, provided users with flexibility to either claim tokens or recoup fees, with the default selection set to the airdrop if no choice was made. The feature aimed to enhance user experience by aligning rewards with individual preferences.

The no-lockup design of Stage 2 tokens has drawn attention for its potential market implications. Analysts noted that the immediate availability of 320 million tokens could inject up to $600 million in liquidity, potentially increasing sell pressure. However, Aster's team highlighted that weekly protocol fees exceeding $120 million would fund buybacks to stabilize the price. The decision to forgo lockups also aligned with broader trends in decentralized finance (DeFi) toward user autonomy, though critics warned of short-term volatility risks.

Stage 3, titled "Dawn," launched immediately after Stage 2 and introduced advanced scoring mechanisms to refine reward distribution. Key changes included multi-dimensional scoring for spot trading, symbol-specific boost multipliers, and enhanced team referral incentives. Anti-abuse filters were also implemented to detect wash trading, addressing concerns about inflated volume metrics. The standard referral rate remained at 10%, with high-volume traders eligible for higher rates upon approval.

Aster's airdrop strategy has positioned it as a competitive player in the perpetual DEX market, challenging established platforms like Hyperliquid. The project's open interest briefly surpassed Hyperliquid's, and its partnership with former Binance talent, coupled with endorsements from high-profile figures like MrBeast, has amplified its visibility. As of October 5, $ASTER traded at $1.80, with a market cap of $3.06 billion and 24-hour volume of $1.25 billion. Analysts remain divided on its price trajectory, with bullish scenarios projecting a potential rebound above $2.00 and bearish forecasts cautioning a possible dip to $1.55–$1.30 post-claim.

The success of Stage 2 and the transition to Stage 3 underscore Aster's commitment to fostering a sustainable, community-driven ecosystem. By balancing transparency with user flexibility, the project aims to solidify its position in the DeFi landscape while mitigating risks associated with large token unlocks. Participants are advised to claim their rewards promptly to avoid forfeiting allocations, with the next phase focusing on refining fairness and engagement metrics.

Source: [1] Bitrue (https://www.bitrue.com/blog/aster-airdrop-2-stage2-rewards-claim-guide)

[2] Cryptopolitan (https://www.cryptopolitan.com/aster-airdrop-checker-claim-portal/)

[3] Coingabbar (https://www.coingabbar.com/en/crypto-currency-news/aster-airdrop-stage-2-ends-stage-3-dawn-starts-price-prediction)

[4] Coingape (https://coingape.com/aster-to-launch-phase-2-airdrop-on-october-10-as-open-interest-tops-5b-in-two-weeks/)

[5] Cryptomaniaks (https://cryptomaniaks.com/news/aster-airdrop-guide-october-2025)

[6] Outposts (https://outposts.io/article/choose-wisely-dollaraster-airdrop-or-full-trading-fee-refund-f5b14b3a-3cb7-456d-96d8-1f01bb43cb1b)

[7] Odaily (https://www.odaily.news/en/newsflash/451094)

[8] Mexc (https://www.mexc.com/news/aster-s2-transaction-fees-are-fully-refundable-and-airdrop-tokens-will-be-distributed-starting-october-14th/120210)

[9] Bitget (https://www.bitgetapp.com/news/detail/12560605001833)

[10] Gate (https://www.gate.com/news/detail/14463111)

[11] Bitrue (https://www.bitrue.com/blog/aster-airdrop-eligibility)