ASTER, the native token of the Aster DEX, experienced a dramatic 24-hour period marked by conflicting signals of momentum and decline. On January 26, the token recorded a staggering 105.69% surge in trading volume, paired with a 7.75% price increase, standing out in an otherwise quiet market where assets like AVAX and PEPE showed fading participation. This volume-price combination suggested fresh capital inflow and robust buying conviction, with technical indicators like the RSI at 44 and a flattening MACD hinting at a potential breakout from a prolonged consolidation phase between $0.58 and $0.70.
However, the narrative shifted sharply by January 27, as ASTER plummeted over 12% to hit a fresh all-time low of $0.55, before recovering slightly to trade near $0.684. This decline occurred despite the DEX confirming the live launch of its Strategic Buyback Reserve. The program allocates 20% to 40% of daily platform fees to automatically repurchase ASTER on-chain, aiming to provide price support and slow token dilution during downturns.
The market's muted response to the buyback initiative highlights the challenges faced by smaller exchange tokens. The repurchase flow is currently considered small relative to overall liquidity and selling pressure. For context, weekly volume data shows Hyperliquid leading with $40.7 billion, compared to ASTER's $31.7 billion and Lighter's $25.3 billion. While the buyback program demonstrates proactive management to strengthen token structure, analysts note that real recovery depends on broader market demand, sustained investor participation, and competitive positioning within the crowded DEX landscape.
