Aster is taking another step to reward its loyal users as it approaches a major network milestone.
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Aster’s Stage 5 Airdrop will distribute 1.2% of supply with an optional 3-month vesting period Early claims will trigger token burn and strengthen supply discipline This phase will lead to Aster Chain’s testnet and mainnet launch in early 2026
Aster is entering a new phase of its airdrop program as it moves towards reducing emissions and preparing to launch its own blockchain.
According to a Dec. 17 announcement, Aster’s fifth airdrop phase, known as Crystal, will begin on Dec. 22 and run for six weeks until Feb. 1, 2026.
Stage 5 airdrop introduces emissions reduction and vesting options
This phase will distribute 1.2% of ASTER’s total supply, approximately 96 million tokens, marking the project’s lowest-emission airdrop to date. The allocation will be divided evenly.
Half of the tokens will be available immediately as a base allocation, while the other half will be granted as a bonus that will be unlocked after a 3-month vesting period. Users must decide whether to access a portion of their allocation immediately or wait until they receive the full amount.
1/ Stage 5: Crystal — Less Inflation. Same Conviction. 💎
On Dec 22, Aster will enter its fifth airdrop stage.
Stage 5: Crystal marks our lowest-emission airdrop yet — a deliberate step toward stronger supply discipline as we move closer to Aster Chain.
– Duration: 6 weeks (22… pic.twitter.com/deIMDymLU8
— Aster (@Aster_DEX) December 17, 2025
If the User claims early, the Vesting Bonus will be forfeited and forfeited forever. Astor said the structure is designed to reduce selling pressure while introducing a deflationary element tied directly to early claims.
Participation details have not changed significantly from previous stages. Based on how previous stages are configured, eligibility typically depends on a user’s activity within the Aster platform, such as trading volume for an indefinite period of time. Final eligibility requirements and billing tools will be released closer to launch.
Aster Chain Roadmap and Repurchase Clarification
Stage 5 marks the transition to the next phase of the project as Aster moves closer to launching its own layer 1 blockchain, Aster Chain. The main network is expected to launch in Q1 2026, with testnet scheduled for late December. The initial release does not include staking and governance tools, which are scheduled for Q2 2026.
Building your own chain allows the platform to directly manage transaction fees, validator rewards, and protocol upgrades. This ties the value of the token more closely to actual network usage.
Alongside the airdrop update, Aster also addressed confusion regarding its buyback program. The team said Stage 4 share buybacks were accelerated in early December, with approximately $32 million disbursed in eight days using approximately 90% of cumulative Stage 4 fee income.
Share buybacks will resume on December 17th and continue until the end of Stage 4 on December 21st. Astor said the company remains committed to share buybacks and updated parameters will be shared after Stage 4.
ASTER is trading at $0.6919 at the time of writing, down about 10% on the day and 44% in the last month, reflecting broader market pressures rather than changes in the project’s fundamentals.
