CEO Leonard Says Decision Will Aim to Protect Existing Holders and New Participants
Decentralized derivatives exchange Aster is weighing the introduction of vesting schedules for recipients of its upcoming airdrop, a move designed to reduce immediate selling pressure and protect long-term token value.
Balancing Holders and Airdrop Recipients
During a recent livestream, Aster CEO Leonard said the team is evaluating how to structure the second season of its airdrop distribution. He explained that while community rewards are important, the project must also safeguard the interests of current holders.
“I think we reserve the right of doing it. We will kind of decide things and announce it,” Leonard noted, adding that a final decision could come within the next few days.
Vesting is a common practice across crypto projects, ensuring that tokens distributed to early participants are released gradually. This prevents large-scale sell-offs that can cause sharp price declines, while aligning long-term incentives with the project’s growth.
Season Two Airdrop Details
Aster has previously allocated over 50% of its token supply to community airdrops. For season two, the project plans to distribute 320 million ASTER tokens—worth around $600 million at current prices. The team is debating whether releasing 4% of the total supply at once could trigger unwanted market volatility.
The cutoff date for season two’s points is set for Oct. 5 at 11:59 pm UTC, meaning participants will soon know the final structure before the snapshot is taken.
Record Trading Volume Fuels Growth
Alongside the airdrop announcement, Aster’s trading activity has surged. Data shows the exchange’s 24-hour perpetual DEX volume hit $85 billion, outpacing its closest competitor more than twelvefold.
Some analysts see this as proof of Aster’s rising adoption. However, community members caution that the sustainability of these volumes remains uncertain once incentive programs are scaled back.
As the second airdrop approaches, the decision on vesting could play a crucial role in shaping market dynamics. For investors and traders, the outcome will determine whether ASTER’s growth continues steadily or faces short-term volatility.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.