Aster News Today: Aster's Airdrop Sparks Volatility Debate as Ecosystem Expands

Aster's Stage 2 Genesis Airdrop, a pivotal initiative in the project's ecosystem expansion, concluded on October 5, 2025, distributing 4% of its total $ASTER supply-approximately 320 million tokens-valued at around $600 million based on market pricing during the claim window. The airdrop verification page, launched on October 10, allowed eligible users to confirm their eligibility before the official claim period began on October 14 Aster Stage 2 Genesis Airdrop: 320M Tokens and Price Impact on …^[1]. With no vesting period, recipients could immediately trade or hold their tokens, though unclaimed tokens by October 17 were redirected to Aster's ecosystem fund Aster Stage 2 Genesis Airdrop: 320M Tokens and Price Impact on …^[1].

The airdrop utilized a merit-based reward model, allocating tokens based on Rh points derived from trading volume, referrals, and position-holding duration. This transparent distribution method garnered praise for its fairness but also raised concerns about market liquidity. Analysts noted that the influx of 320 million tokens could trigger short-term price volatility, particularly near the $1.80–$1.90 support level, as unlocked tokens entered circulation Aster Stage 2 Genesis Airdrop: 320M Tokens and Price Impact on …^[1]. However, bullish sentiment was fueled by factors such as Binance ecosystem integration, Bitrue Alpha trading activity, and Aster's reported weekly revenue of over $120 million in fees, which supports ongoing buyback programs to stabilize prices Aster Stage 2 Genesis Airdrop: 320M Tokens and Price Impact on …^[1].

Bitrue, one of the first exchanges to feature $ASTER, played a central role in post-distribution activity. The platform reported surging trading volumes, new user registrations, and volatility spikes around the $1.90 resistance zone. Bitrue's transparent integration of $ASTER and its support for early claims made it a key venue for traders and DeFi participants Aster Stage 2 Genesis Airdrop: 320M Tokens and Price Impact on …^[1]. Meanwhile, the airdrop's completion marked the immediate launch of Stage 3 "Dawn," which introduced advanced reward mechanisms, including symbol-specific trading multipliers, anti-wash-trading filters, and team-based point systems. These changes aimed to foster sustainable trading engagement while mitigating speculative farming Aster Stage 2 Genesis Airdrop: 320M Tokens and Price Impact on …^[1].

Market reactions to the airdrop were mixed. While some analysts anticipated short-term dips due to sell pressure, others highlighted Aster's potential for recovery, citing its robust revenue streams and Stage 3 incentives. On-chain data showed mild outflows ahead of the claim phase, with a -$1.73 million net outflow recorded on October 5 . However, the limited scale of these outflows suggested controlled selling pressure, with historical patterns indicating rebounds after similar events .

The airdrop's no-vesting clause, while praised for liquidity flexibility, also drew scrutiny. Critics warned of potential volatility from concentrated token supply, with top wallets holding significant portions of the total supply. For instance, one wallet alone offloaded $60 million worth of ASTER intra-day, illustrating the risks of whale-driven corrections . Despite these concerns, Aster's ecosystem-focused strategy-allocating 53.5% of its supply to community rewards-underscored its commitment to decentralization and user engagement .

As the project transitions to Stage 3, the focus remains on balancing rapid growth with sustainable tokenomics. The coming weeks will test Aster's ability to manage liquidity, stabilize prices, and maintain momentum amid competitive DeFi dynamics. Analysts will closely monitor key levels, such as the $1.80 support and $2.00 resistance, to gauge the token's trajectory .