Aster DEX Plans Layer 1 Blockchain Launch by 2026

TLDR

• Aster DEX plans to launch a Layer 1 blockchain by 2026.
• The platform executed airdrops of over 320 million ASTER tokens.
• Aster reported a trading volume exceeding $33 billion in June 2025.

Aster DEX Targets Early 2026 Blockchain Launch

Aster DEX, a competitor to Hyperliquid, plans to launch its own Layer 1 blockchain by early 2026. This initiative is part of Aster’s strategy to expand beyond its decentralized perpetual futures trading platform.

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, a renowned figure in the crypto industry and Binance co-founder, plays a significant role as an advisor to Aster. His involvement is perceived as an endorsement, contributing to the company’s credibility in the market.

Formation and Innovations of Aster DEX

Aster DEX emerged in March 2025 from the merger of Astherus, a multi-asset liquidity protocol, and APX Finance, a decentralized platform for perpetual futures. This merger resulted in a dynamic entity that has sparked interest within the crypto community.

Notably, Aster DEX has introduced several innovative features such as hidden orders and multi-chain accessibility. The platform has also executed large airdrop programs, distributing over 320 million ASTER tokens worth approximately $600 million to incentivize trading activity.

Trading and Token Information

On its platform, Aster DEX allows trading for over 150 pairs with up to 50x leverage on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). The platform also offers highly leveraged trading of tokenized stocks, with leverage reaching as high as 1000x, which reflects aggressive product innovation.

Despite DefiLlama’s delisting of Aster’s volume data over wash-trading allegations, Aster maintains strong engagement with metrics like open interest and staking flows continuing to show activity among its user base. Official documentation on Aster’s tokenomics emphasizes the community-centric approach of recycling unclaimed tokens for future rewards. This strategy is elaborated further on Aster’s documentation.

Market Presence and Competition Analysis

Aster DEX reported a trading volume of over $33 billion in June 2025, a significant growth from its earlier figures, though still behind Hyperliquid, which recorded a $186 billion volume within the same timeframe. Hyperliquid maintains a strong market position with over $6.5 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL) and a cumulative trading volume exceeding $2.7 trillion.

Other platforms also face competition amid these developments. Aster’s surge is indicative of the broader “DEX wars,” a competitive landscape where platforms vie for dominance based on factors like speed, user incentives, and infrastructure sustainability. These dynamics are crucial as decentralized exchanges continue to gain traction in the DeFi sector.

Institutional Backing and Future Outlook

Aster has benefited from substantial institutional support, largely due to its association with Binance and CZ. This affiliation provides it with resources and credibility that many competitors lack. However, no new funding rounds have been detailed beyond the allocations from the airdrop programs.

Looking ahead, Aster’s long-term vision includes launching its Layer 1 blockchain by 2026, which is seen as a pivotal development in its roadmap. Active discussions on platforms like Twitter, Discord, and Telegram reflect the community’s engagement and anticipation for Aster’s next steps.