Aster DEX Delays Stage 2 Airdrop Amid Allocation Controversy, Token Price Plummets 10%

Aster DEX, a decentralized exchange backed by YZi Labs and associated with Binance's founding figure Changpeng Zhao, has postponed its Stage 2 ASTER token airdrop due to significant allocation discrepancies. The airdrop, originally scheduled for October 2025, has been rescheduled to October 20, 2025, following community backlash over data inconsistencies in user allocations.

The delay has already triggered market volatility, with ASTER's price dropping approximately 10% amid rising skepticism and concerns over transparency. In response, the Aster DEX team issued a statement: "We are adjusting all affected allocations before proceeding with final distribution." The platform is offering USDT refunds to affected users and emphasizing the need for improved data auditing to restore trust.

Community members have voiced demands for greater fairness and clarity in allocation criteria, echoing past issues in DeFi airdrops like those involving Uniswap and Arbitrum, which historically led to price volatility. Analysts note that while short-term uncertainty may persist, addressing these procedural vulnerabilities could stabilize the token's long-term prospects.