Aster DEX cuts token emissions by over 90% in tokenomics update

• Aster replaced its monthly token unlocks with a staking-based emission model to reduce inflation.
• The new framework will lower monthly emissions from 78.4 million ASTER to roughly 1.8–2.25 million tokens.
• The updated model features long-term vesting allocations, with airdrops and community distributions taking more than half of the token's supply.

Decentralized exchange Aster announced a tokenomics update on Monday, shifting from a fixed monthly unlock schedule to a staking-driven emission model.

The protocol said the change replaces its previous system, which released 78.4 million ASTER tokens per month, worth about 1% of its total supply.

Aster staking framework to drop monthly emissions to 2.25 million tokens

Under the new framework, allocated tokens will only enter circulation as staking rewards. Current emissions are set at 450,000 ASTER per weekly epoch, equivalent to roughly 1.8-2.25 million tokens per month. The move marks a reduction of more than 90% compared to the previous model.

The broader ASTER tokenomics continue to emphasize community alignment. Airdrops account for 53.5% of total supply, worth 4.28 billion tokens, with 8.8% unlocked at the token generation event (TGE) for participants in Aster Spectra and Aster Gems. The remaining allocation is set to vest gradually over 80 months, subject to governance adjustments.

The Ecosystem & Community will receive 30% of the supply, worth 2.4 billion tokens. The allocation, initially designed for a 20-month linear vesting schedule, will now serve exclusively as the source of staking rewards under the updated model. It also supports APX-to-ASTER migration, ecosystem grants, marketing initiatives, and liquidity programs, with unclaimed APX swap tokens redirected to the airdrop pool.

Other allocations remain unchanged. The treasury holds 7% of ASTER's supply and remains fully locked pending governance approval. Team tokens account for 5%, subject to a 12-month cliff followed by 40 months of linear vesting at a rate of 10 million tokens per month. Meanwhile, 4.5% allocated to liquidity and exchange listings was fully unlocked at TGE to support trading activity.

Aster also said it supports token value through buybacks, using a portion of trading fees to purchase ASTER to stabilize prices and provide governance incentives. 

The update comes as Aster continues to expand its ecosystem. Earlier this month, the platform introduced Aster Chain, its proprietary Layer-1 blockchain focused on privacy and performance, designed to improve execution for derivatives trading.

ASTER is up nearly 3% over the past 24 hours as of writing.