Aster is moving to a token emission model for staking only, reducing monthly unlocks by 97%

Aster, a perpetual DEX platform that’s being closely watched in the DeFi space, has just made a significant change to how it distributes its tokens by shifting to a staking-only model. According to the original article’s headline, this move helps reduce up to 97% of the tokens unlocked every month, sharply cutting the supply-pressure factor that often weighs on prices in the early stages of many projects.

For tokens with frequent unlock schedules, markets often react very sensitively, since each unlock event can increase short-term selling pressure. By switching to a staking-only model, Aster’s team appears to be trying to slow down dilution rates while also creating a distribution structure that’s friendlier to long-term token holders. In a context where DeFi liquidity is still highly fragmented, this could be a step that makes Aster’s tokenomics feel more comfortable to investors.

The noteworthy part is that this change is not just technical in nature. It reflects a broader trend among perp DEX projects: instead of only racing for user growth and TVL, they’re forced to think more about supply governance, the durability of their vesting/unlock schedule, and the community’s expectations. If the staking mechanism genuinely locks down a portion of the circulating tokens, the market may view this as a positive signal for both price and the overall supply-demand structure.

That said, like every other tokenomics change, the final impact still depends on whether users continue staking—and whether real demand for the product increases in step with the tighter supply. In other words, reducing unlocks is only half the story; the other half is whether Aster can turn its new token structure into durable buying demand.