Aster News Today: Transparency Crisis Sparks Aster's 10% Price Plunge Amid Airdrop Controversy

Aster, a decentralized perpetual exchange, faced a significant price correction following a series of developments that eroded investor confidence. The analytics platform DefiLlama announced the delisting of Aster's perpetual trading volume data, citing concerns over potential wash trading. The platform's builder 0xngmi highlighted that Aster's trading volumes, particularly for pairs like XRP/USDT and ETH/USDT, closely mirrored Binance's, suggesting non-organic activityDefiLlama Bombshell Triggers Over 10% Crash for Aster Price^[1]. DefiLlama emphasized its commitment to data integrity, stating it would delist Aster's perps until transparency improvedDeFiLlama founder: Because Aster's wash trading suspicions …^[2]. This decision triggered a 10% decline in the ASTER token price, which fell to $1.86ASTER Price Falls Over 10% After 2 Bombshell Updates - BeInCrypto^[3].

The delisting was compounded by Aster's announcement of a second airdrop phase, which unlocked 4% of the total ASTER supply for immediate saleAster Airdrop October 2025: Eligibility, Rewards, and How to Join^[4]. This policy, framed as a move to enhance fairness and flexibility, instead intensified selling pressure. Analysts noted that the absence of a lock-up period for the 4% supply could drive the token's price below $1, representing a 46% drop from current levelsAster airdrop^[5]. Traders and community members expressed skepticism, with one observer quipping that the airdrop's liquidity flood could require significant fee income to offset sell pressureDefiLlama Nagpasabog, Aster Price Bagsak ng Higit 10%^[6].

Aster's response to the backlash included promises of improved reward mechanics in Stage 3, featuring advanced scoring systems, team boosts, and spot trading incentivesASTER to Launch Phase 2 Airdrop on October 10 as Open^[7]. The project emphasized "no pause" between stages, aiming to streamline user participation. However, critics argued that the airdrop's design prioritized short-term liquidity over long-term stability, exacerbating fears of market manipulation. The controversy split the community, with some viewing the delisting as a bullish catalyst for innovation, while others condemned it as a transparency failureHyperliquid, Aster, and the Battle for Perp DEX Dominance in 2025^[8].

The price decline was further attributed to broader market dynamics. On-chain data revealed a surge in open interest for ASTER derivatives, which reached $5 billion in two weeksAster DEX Surges Past Hyperliquid as CZ Confirms Ex-Binance …^[9]. Despite this, the token's volatility-fluctuating between $1.50 and $2.26-highlighted its susceptibility to speculative trading. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) endorsed the project, but his influence could not offset concerns over token concentration, with six wallets controlling 96% of the supplyWhat is Aster? Everything You Should Know About 2025’s Hottest …^[10].

Looking ahead, Aster's success hinges on its ability to verify trading volumes and address transparency issues. DefiLlama's delisting underscored the platform's reliance on third-party validation for credibility in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. Meanwhile, the airdrop's impact on liquidity and price stability will test the project's capacity to balance innovation with investor trust. As the DeFi landscape evolves, Aster's ability to adapt to scrutiny and deliver verifiable data will determine its long-term viabilityDefiLlama Bombshell Picu Harga Aster Anjlok Lebih dari 10%^[11].