Aster News Today: Clarity Over Token Unlocks Ignites Aster's 9% Rally, Eyes on $1.38 Target

ASTER (ASTER) surged over 9% in 24 hours, pushing its market capitalization to $3.272 billion, as renewed investor confidence and strategic updates from the decentralized exchange (DEX) project fueled optimism. The price rally followed a period of confusion over delayed token unlocks and a clarification from the team that its tokenomics remain unchanged, according to multiple reports and according to reports.

The initial spark for the rally came after a CoinMarketCap (CMC) update misstated token unlock schedules, pushing some dates from 2025 to 2035. This triggered speculation about potential dilution, though Aster quickly denied any changes to its original tokenomics, stating that unused tokens would be moved to a public wallet for transparency. The project clarified that scheduled monthly unlocks had not been executed due to a lack of immediate usage plans, with those tokens remaining locked and unissued according to the team.

Market dynamics further supported the surge. Aster's total trading volume exceeded $3 trillion, nearing Hyperliquid's $3.2 trillion benchmark, while its price stabilized above $1.14 after an early-morning sell-off. On-chain data highlighted mixed signals: though protocol fees stagnated below $20 million, open interest (OI) dropped to $2.67 billion from $5.01 billion in mid-October, reflecting cautious trader sentiment. Despite this, bulls targeted a breakout above $1.21, with technical indicators suggesting a potential move toward $1.38 if key resistance levels hold according to price analysis.

The price action gained additional momentum from a high-profile move by Binance co-founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao, who disclosed holding over $2.5 million in ASTER. Influential traders followed his lead, amplifying short-term demand. Meanwhile, Aster's largest-ever trading competition, offering $10 million in prizes, further stoked market enthusiasm.

Analysts noted that the rally coincided with broader on-chain optimism. Aster's total value locked (TVL) stood at $1.16 billion, while its fully diluted valuation (FDV) exceeded $9 billion, indicating a premium over its current market cap of $3.28 billion. However, risks persist: declining user adoption and lower protocol fees since mid-October raised questions about long-term sustainability.

Looking ahead, bulls anticipate a critical test at $1.26, with a successful close above this level potentially unlocking a path to $1.38 and beyond according to price analysis. "The market is betting on Aster's ability to maintain its position in the on-chain rivalry with projects like Hyperliquid," said one analyst, though cautioning that a breakdown below $1.10 could reignite bearish sentiment.