First launch project Aster (AST) is a decentralized perpetual contract trading protocol that has received investment from YZi Labs.
Written by: 1912212.eth, Foresight News
On May 15, the cryptocurrency data platform CoinMarketCap (CMC) launched its new feature - CMC Launch. The first launch project is Aster (AST). As a data platform, this is a significant move in recent times. What is the meaning and thinking behind it? What highlights make Aster the first project to be launched?
CoinMarketCap's newly launched Launch is similar to the task platform Galxe, screening and providing a display platform for some high-quality projects. Users can directly click on links on the CMC official website to participate in task activities (such as following Twitter accounts, trading interactions, etc.) to earn points and receive project-confirmed airdrops in subsequent stages.
It is worth noting that CoinMarketCap officially warns that its task activities are operated by third parties. It does not bear responsibility for any tasks or rewards and has no control over them.
Since its establishment in 2013, CoinMarketCap has become one of the mainstream data platforms in the cryptocurrency field, with monthly active users exceeding millions and page views once reaching over 800 million. However, with the rapid development of the crypto market and increasingly fierce industry competition, the functional boundaries of data platforms are being redefined.
The number of crypto projects is growing explosively, with thousands of new tokens added in 2024 alone. New projects face enormous challenges in traffic and user acquisition to stand out in the crowded market. Meanwhile, competitors like Pump.fun, PancakeSwap's SpringBoard, and Raydium's LaunchLab are also providing exposure opportunities for early-stage projects through Launchpool or similar mechanisms. After Binance Alpha continued to attract market attention, project exposure demands have suddenly increased. CoinMarketCap's launch of CMC Launch is not only a response to market needs but also an important step in seeking differentiation in competition.
Moreover, as the crypto market matures, investors and users are increasingly focusing on early-stage projects (pre-TGE). Early-stage projects attract many users seeking the "next big thing" due to their high potential and high risks. CoinMarketCap provides a high-visibility display platform for high-quality early-stage projects through CMC Launch, while offering users opportunities to participate in airdrops and interactive tasks to enhance community stickiness.
In the past, many project parties had hidden issues with airdrops, not distributing what should be distributed, giving less than promised, suddenly changing rules to eliminate users, and even refusing to issue airdrops for various reasons. As a platform, CoinMarketCap is essentially endorsing airdrop rules with its own brand. In the long run, this is undoubtedly a win-win new attempt for CoinMarketCap itself, high-quality project parties, and retail investors.
The transformation of data platforms into ecosystem builders is not unique to CoinMarketCap. In 2024, Arkham Intelligence launched its own perpetual contract exchange, showing the trend of data platforms expanding their business boundaries. Backed by Binance's resources, CoinMarketCap has natural advantages in brand, traffic, and technology. Launching CMC Launch follows the industry trend towards comprehensive platforms. As an independently operated platform, it can also increase its revenue and profitability.
Aster ($AST) is a decentralized perpetual contract exchange formed by the merger of Astherus and APX Finance, which has received investment from YZi Labs (an independent branch of Binance).
- Aster is positioned as the next-generation perpetual contract DEX, aiming to provide a seamless trading experience for all users from beginners to professional traders. The project runs on BNB Chain and Arbitrum, with Aster's core technical highlights including:
- Dual-mode trading interface: Simple Mode supports one-click trading with up to 1001x leverage, suitable for beginners; Pro Mode provides advanced tools for experienced traders, such as depth charts and complex order types.
- Non-custodial trading: Aster requires no KYC verification,
- Through collaboration with partners like PancakeSwap, Aster integrates robust liquidity pools and yield products, supporting minting and holding assets (such as ALP, USDF, and LP tokens).
Aster has shown strong market attractiveness. According to official CoinMarketCap data, Aster currently has a total trading volume of $36 billion, $13.6 million in open interest, and its Total Value Locked (TVL) has risen to $3.124 billion.
According to its official website, current participants need to follow the project's Twitter, follow its CMC community, and interact on the Aster airdrop interface to earn points.
Users can also accumulate points to increase future $AST airdrop allocation through the following methods:
Au Points: Earned by minting and holding ALP, USDF, or eligible LP tokens, suitable for low-risk investors.
Rh Points: Earned by trading perpetual contracts in Pro Mode, with a 3x Au points bonus for trading volumes over $300,000, suitable for high-frequency traders. (https://www.asterdex.com/en/stage1/campaign)
