Aster DEX Tokenomics Updated: Why Team Delayed 183M in Unlocks?

Aster DEX Delays 2025 ASTER Token Unlocks to 2026 & 2035 for Stability

Aster DEX has announced changes to its ASTER tokenomics, delaying several 2025 token unlocks to 2026 and even 2035, aiming to prevent market dilution and support long-term stability.

What Happened with Aster Tokenomics?

The DEX recently announced modifications to its tokenomics, changing the previously scheduled token unlock for 2025. 

Originally, the platform planned monthly ecosystem unlocks, gradually releasing tokens into circulation to support development, rewards, and liquidity. 

However, the team confirmed that multiple unlocks have now been postponed. Some tokens that were supposed to unlock in 2025 are rescheduled for summer 2026, while a few have even been delayed to 2035.

Source: Wu Blockchain

These amendments belong to the bigger scheme to control the supply of the tokens and avoid unnecessary market pressure. 

The team announced the adjustments in social media platform X and explained that these steps were planned and meant to achieve long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.

Why Did Aster Delay the Unlocks?

The primary cause of the postponement of the unlocks is the non-urgency of the tokens. The team said that the ecosystem unlocks were originally part of the plan, and releasing them now would not be of any functional use. 

Putting out so many tokens and not having a clear usage strategy may result in market dilution, and this may result in unwarranted price reductions.

By postponing these unlocks, the platform is taking a cautious approach, prioritizing market stability and the long-term growth of its ecosystem. This decision reflects a growing trend among DeFi projects to adopt flexible vesting schedules rather than sticking to rigid release timelines.

What Data Triggered This Confirmation?

The tokenomic alterations were initially observed in the ASTER token data of Binance, which revealed that a number of the scheduled 2025 unlocks were taken off or postponed. 

These discrepancies were questioned by analysts and community members, and the team answered and affirmed the changes. The official explanation was reassuring that the changes were planned and were in line with the long-term strategy of the platform.

Old vs New Tokenomics.

1. Allocation Percentages

• Old: 53.5% Airdrop, 30% Ecosystem/Community, 7% Treasury, 5% Team, 4.5% Liquidity

• New: The allocation percentages remain unchanged.

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Source: Website

2. Unlock Timing

• Old: Tokens unlocked on a regular, linear schedule (e.g. ecosystem over 20 months; airdrop over ~80 months; team after 1-year cliff + 40-month vest)

• New: Many unlocks originally planned for 2025 are delayed, now expected in 2026 or even 2035.

3. Circulating Supply Projection

• Old: Based on linear vesting, supply would ramp up faster (more tokens available earlier)

• New: Circulation is now projected to be ~70 million ASTER in 2025, growing gradually to 600 million+ by 2035.

4. Reason for Change

• Old: The original roadmap assumed continuous unlocks to fuel ecosystem growth

• New: The team says they don’t currently need those ecosystem tokens — delaying release avoids market dilution.

5. Market Impact Strategy

• Old: Faster token unlocking potentially risked excess supply and selling pressure

• New: Delays help reduce selling pressure, supporting price stability and investor confidence.

6. Team Tokens

• Old: 1-year cliff, then 40-month vesting

• New: No specific change announced to team vesting, but overall, slower token release from other categories changes the supply dynamics.

7. Treasury Tokens

• Old: Locked until used via governance

• New: Still locked, but recent visuals/announcements reinforce that treasury and ecosystem tokens are part of the 60% reserved pool; long-term vesting.

8. Liquidity / Listing Tokens

• Old: Fully unlocked at TGE

• New: No change mentioned in unlock status for liquidity/listing tokens.

9. Aster Token Price Context

• Old: No explicit reference to price strategy or founder’s entry price

• New: ASTER trades at ~$1.13, which is 24% above Binance founder CZ’s entry ($0.91); delayed unlock help maintains this stability.

10. Long-Term Focus

• Old: Structured, fixed vesting — more predictable unlock

• New: More flexible, strategic vesting — emphasis on sustainable growth and long-term community alignment.

Why Does This Matter?

The importance of these changes is that there was a big unlock of 183 million ASTER (11% of market cap) that was originally anticipated in October 2025. 

Delay of these releases will enable evading short-term fluctuations in the market, which will favour investor confidence. To the users of DeFi and token holders, it is an indication that the platform is not interested in short-term gains but long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

Stability and strategic growth are the priorities of the tokenomic adjustments. The exchange reduces market pressure, which helps in maintaining the price, and in the long run, increases its circulation in the next ten years