Aster is rolling out another reward for its users as it moves closer to a major milestone — launching its own blockchain.
The project has announced Stage 5 of its airdrop program, called Crystal, and this phase shows a clear shift toward lower token emissions and tighter supply control. The new airdrop will start on December 22 and run for six weeks, ending on February 1, 2026.
This time, Aster is giving out 1.2% of its total token supply, which comes out to about 96 million tokens. That makes it the smallest airdrop so far, signaling a more careful approach as the project matures.
Here’s how it works.
Half of the tokens can be claimed right away. The other half is a bonus that unlocks only if users wait three months. Each user has to make a choice: take some tokens now, or wait and receive the full amount later.
There’s a catch — and it’s intentional.
If someone claims early, they lose the bonus portion forever. Those tokens don’t go back into circulation. They get burned. Aster says this design helps reduce sell pressure and adds a deflationary effect tied directly to user behavior.
Participation rules are expected to stay similar to earlier stages. In the past, eligibility mostly depended on activity on the Aster platform, like trading volume in perpetual markets. Exact details and claim tools will be shared closer to launch.
Stage 5 isn’t just about rewards. It’s also a bridge to what comes next.
Aster is preparing to launch its own layer-1 blockchain, Aster Chain. A testnet is planned for late December, with the mainnet expected in early 2026. At first, the network won’t include staking or governance features — those are planned for Q2 2026.
By running its own chain, Aster will gain more control over transaction fees, validator rewards, and future upgrades. Over time, that should link the token’s value more closely to real network usage.
The team also cleared up confusion around its buyback program.
They said buybacks from Stage 4 were sped up earlier this month, with about $32 million spent over eight days, using nearly all of the fees collected during that phase. Buybacks restarted on December 17 and will continue until Stage 4 officially ends on December 21. According to Aster, buybacks will remain a long-term policy, with new details coming soon.
At the time of the update, ASTER was trading around $0.69, down on the day and lower over the past month. The team says this reflects broader market pressure, not changes in the project itself.
In short, Aster is slowing emissions, rewarding patience, and lining everything up for its own blockchain launch — a clear sign it’s entering a more serious phase.
