Aster DEX Ushers in ‘Dawn’ with Innovative Reward System

In the rapidly evolving world of decentralized finance (DeFi), Aster DEX has positioned itself as a platform not just for trading, but for innovative community engagement. Recently, they concluded their second phase of airdrops, known as the Genesis stage, and are now embarking on an exciting new chapter titled “Stage 3: Dawn.” This new phase promises a refined airdrop experience while addressing past community feedback.

Concluding Genesis: The Impact of Airdrop Season Two

As Aster DEX wrapped up its Genesis phase on October 6th, it distributed a significant portion of its token supply—approximately 4%, translating to 320 million $ASTER tokens. This distribution was meticulously calculated based on users’ Rh scores, derived from their trading activities, holdings, and the provision of yield-generating assets like asBNB and USDF. The claim window for these tokens opened on October 10th and closed on October 12th, with official token distribution commencing on October 14th.

Choice of Rewards: Airdrop or Fee Refunds

In a departure from traditional airdrop mechanics, Aster DEX offered participants two reward options after Genesis:

• Claiming the $ASTER Token airdrop (default choice)
• Opting for a full refund of transaction fees from the second phase, effectively offering a free trading experience

This novel approach allows users to either hold tokens for potential future gains or recoup costs, thus minimizing participation risks. The fee refunds will be processed in batches following the claim period.

Stage 3: Dawn—Aiming for Fair Distribution

Responding to critiques from the community concerning unequal reward distributions in the previous phase, Aster DEX has recalibrated its methods for Stage 3. They have committed to:

• Ensuring an even distribution of airdrops across each Epoch
• Running a five-week activity window from October 6th
• Expanding eligible activities to include perpetual and spot trading for Rh score accumulation

These changes are designed to enhance fairness and encourage sustained participation rather than a focus on short-term airdrop gains.

Mixed Community Reactions: Innovation vs. Concerns

The announcement of the new Dawn phase generated considerable discussion within the Aster DEX community. Enthusiasts like @Mike_Ess_ praised the fee refund as a strategic move to mitigate token oversupply, while @aster_cz applauded Aster’s commitment to community-driven rewards. However, some users remain skeptical. @T_trades771 likened the fee refund to a “disguised buyback,” expressing concerns over reduced liquidity, whereas @Stupifff warned against potential manipulation through wash trading, which could distort the Rh score system.

Amidst these discussions, Aster DEX stands firm against formidable competitors like Hyperliquid. Beyond airdrop initiatives, they offer a 10% standard referral reward rate and a 5% transaction fee discount for payments made with $ASTER, enhancing the token’s utility.

As the platform continues to innovate, they remind users to remain vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying withdrawal pages carefully. Watching the claims process beginning October 10th will be crucial to gauge market reactions to $ASTER’s performance.