How to Trade on Aster DEX (Spot & Perpetuals)

Discover how to use Aster DEX for spot trading, perpetuals, and more in this complete beginner’s guide to decentralized trading with up to 1001x leverage.

Key Takeaways:

  • Aster DEX offers spot markets for token trading, order book perpetuals with leverage, one-click 1001x execution, automated grid strategies, and privacy-preserving hidden orders.
  • Deposits can be made across BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum, supporting assets like USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, and JLP with varying confirmation times.
  • Crypto investors can also use liquid staking tokens, yield-bearing stablecoins, multi-asset collateral options, margin modes, and advanced order types to expand trading flexibility on-chain.

Everyone on X is talking about Aster, with crypto influencers shilling the token and on-chain prophets calling for it to flip Hyperliquid. Feeds are overflowing with screenshots of surging volumes, wild predictions about market share, and nonstop noise reverberating through crypto Twitter.

But when you finally try to use the platform yourself, the only question that matters is how to actually get started. If you want to cut through the noise and trade on Aster, this guide walks you step by step. ⬇️

What is Aster Decentralized Exchange?

Aster ($ASTER) is a decentralized perpetual exchange that facilitates derivatives and spot trading directly on-chain without intermediaries. It supports multiple networks, including BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum, to provide broader asset accessibility and flexibility.

The exchange operates through three trading modes: Pro Mode with a central order book, 1001x for on-chain liquidity execution, and Spot mode. These options allow users to select between conventional order book trading, one-click perpetuals, and straightforward spot token exchanges.

Trading fees vary by product type. Pro Mode perpetuals charge 0.01% for makers and 0.035% for takers, while 1001x applies a 0.08% fee on both opening and closing positions. Spot trading follows a 0.04% maker and 0.1% taker schedule, with $ASTER available for a 5% discount on fees.

What is Aster DEX

How to Deposit Crypto on Aster

Depositing crypto into Aster requires connecting your wallet and transferring supported assets into your Aster account for trading.

Follow these steps to complete your first deposit:

  1. Open the Aster app: Navigate to the official site, click [Connect Wallet], and select a supported blockchain such as BNB, Ethereum, Solana, or Arbitrum.
  2. Select your wallet provider: Choose MetaMask, Binance Wallet, or WalletConnect, then sign the approval request within your wallet interface to establish connection.
  3. Access the deposit panel: Click [Deposit], specify the network, token, and amount, verifying that the selected asset matches the chosen chain.
  4. Confirm the deposit transaction: Approve the request in your wallet, ensuring enough gas fees are allocated for proper confirmation on the blockchain.
  5. Wait for final confirmation: After network validation, your deposited funds appear in the Aster portfolio and become available for trading activities immediately.
How to Deposit Crypto on Aster

Supported Assets and Networks on Aster

Aster supports deposits on multiple chains. Each network has specific supported assets and average processing times for deposits and withdrawals. Supported assets include:

  • BNB Chain: USDT. Deposit time averages 80 seconds. Withdrawal time averages 8 seconds.
  • Arbitrum One: USDC, USDC.e, USDT (for email-login accounts only). Deposit time averages 6 minutes. Withdrawal time averages 5 seconds.
  • Ethereum: ETH, USDT, USDC, USD1. Deposit time averages 6 minutes 20 seconds. Withdrawal time averages 10 seconds.
  • Solana: USDC, USDT, ETH, SOL, JLP. Deposit time averages 10 seconds. Withdrawal time averages 5 seconds.

⚠️ Depositing an unsupported asset or using the wrong network will result in permanent loss of funds.

How to Trade on Aster DEX

Spot trading on Aster begins by transferring assets into your Spot account, which can be funded directly from your wallet or internally from Perpetual balances. Once funded, you select a token pair from the market list, view the live order book, and choose between market or limit orders.

To execute a trade, specify the trade size, confirm the transaction details, and submit the order for processing. Successful trades settle directly into your Spot portfolio, where updated balances and order history are displayed for ongoing management.

How to Trade on Aster DEX

How to Trade Perpetuals on Aster

Perpetual contracts on Aster can be traded in Pro Mode using an order book system or in 1001x Mode using one-click on-chain liquidity. Follow these steps to get started with perpetual trading on Aster.

Trading Perpetuals with Aster Pro Mode

Pro Mode provides a traditional exchange-style interface where traders manage leverage, margin, and advanced order types across pairs such as BTCUSDT, ETHUSDT, and other supported contracts. Use the following steps to open and control a perpetual position in Pro Mode:

  1. Select Pro Mode: Open the Pro trading interface and choose a market, for example BTCUSDT or ETHUSDT, from the available list.
  2. Set leverage and margin: Adjust leverage (borrowed exposure relative to your collateral) and select either cross margin (shared balance) or isolated margin (per-trade balance).
  3. Place your order: Choose an order type such as market (instant), limit (price-based), or stop (triggered), then enter trade direction and size.
  4. Confirm transaction: Review details including leverage, margin, and liquidation price, then approve the transaction in your wallet to open the position.
  5. Manage your position: Monitor Profit and Loss (PnL) in real time, check funding rate updates, and add margin or close trades when necessary.
Trading Perpetuals with Aster Pro Mode

Trading Perpetuals with Aster 1001x

1001x Mode simplifies perpetual trading by removing the order book and executing directly against on-chain liquidity with a single click. It currently supports pairs such as ETHUSDT with leverage that can reach extremely high levels, up to 1001x. Here is how to get started:

  1. Switch to 1001x Mode: Open the 1001x tab in Aster, select the desired perpetual market, and review available leverage options and conditions.
  2. Set leverage preference: Choose the leverage multiplier appropriate for your strategy, remembering that higher settings significantly increase liquidation risk if prices move unfavorably.
  3. Enter position size: Specify contract amount and trading direction, either buy (long) or sell (short), then confirm for immediate MEV-resistant on-chain execution.
  4. Approve transaction: Sign the order in your wallet to allocate collateral and pay the execution fee, which is $0.50 on BNB Chain or $0.20 on Arbitrum.
  5. Close the position: Standard leverage trades incur 0.08% closing fees, while 500x and higher apply a dynamic Profit and Loss–based fee, with 0.03% minimum.
Trading Perpetuals with Aster 1001x

Other Aster DEX Features

Moving beyond spot and perpetual markets, we can see that Aster incorporates automated strategies like grid trading, which places buy and sell orders at set intervals. For example, traders can run neutral, long, or short grid bots that capture volatility automatically while still earning Rh points toward token airdrops.

The platform also extends DeFi income tools through Aster Earn, offering products such as liquid staking (asBNB) and yield-bearing stablecoins like USDF. These assets can be used as collateral in trading, creating overlap between passive yield generation and leveraged trading strategies.

Aster additionally supports specialized markets including pre-launch contracts, which let users trade tokens before centralized exchange listings, and stock perpetuals settled in USDT. These features broaden the scope of the exchange, combining crypto-native innovation with access to traditional equity-like products.

Aster Grid Trading

Benefits of Trading on Aster

From a trader’s perspective, Aster stands out by combining advanced execution tools with innovative market access and strong ecosystem backing. The best benefits of using Aster are:

  • Hidden Orders: Traders can place fully concealed limit orders (hidden orders), preventing front-running and reducing slippage in fast, highly leveraged perpetual markets.
  • On-chain Stock Perpetuals: Aster uniquely offers perpetual contracts on equities such as AAPL and TSLA, settled in USDT without brokers, KYC, or restricted hours.
  • Deep Liquidity: Core markets like BTCUSDT and ETHUSDT maintain tight spreads and strong depth, enabling efficient execution of both retail and institutional-sized trades.
  • Multichain Support: Users can connect through BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, or Arbitrum, ensuring capital flexibility across the most liquid ecosystems.
  • Ecosystem Recognition: Public support from Binance founder CZ strengthens trust, positioning Aster as a recognized player in decentralized derivatives infrastructure.
  • Roadmap Expansion: Development of a dedicated Layer 1 and intent-based execution promises reduced latency and seamless cross-chain order routing.

Drawbacks of Trading on Aster

While Aster brings unique features to decentralized perpetuals trading, experienced users will notice several shortcomings compared to more established platforms. These drawbacks are:

  • User Experience: The interface works adequately but often feels unintuitive, lacking the refined speed and design polish seen on Hyperliquid.
  • 1001x Limitations: Despite its promise, 1001x Mode does not consistently deliver seamless one-click execution, slowing responses in fast market conditions.
  • Deposit Times: Cross-chain deposits frequently take several minutes to finalize, reducing flexibility for traders who need instant capital mobility.
  • Collateral Restrictions: USDC margin support is absent, and internal swaps to USDT have shallow liquidity that limits larger transaction efficiency.
  • Pair Coverage: Only eight spot pairs are currently available, restricting choice for traders accustomed to broader selection on other DEXs.
  • Community Dependence: Aster’s momentum leans heavily on hype and CZ’s public backing, raising sustainability questions if community enthusiasm wanes.
  • Centralization Concerns: Some users speculate Aster resembles a centralized exchange disguised as a DEX, pointing to its operational and structural design.

Who Founded Aster?

Aster is led by CEO Leonard, a former traditional finance engineer who built risk systems for global equity desks before moving into crypto. He and his team describe themselves as crypto OGs, having survived multiple market cycles that shaped their conservative approach to risk management and product design.

The exchange traces its origins to Pol-X, which became Astherus, then merged with APX Finance in 2025 to form Aster. Backed by YZi Labs and publicly endorsed by Binance founder CZ, Leonard now drives a roadmap focused on privacy-preserving Layer 1 infrastructure and multi-chain expansion.

How to Buy $ASTER Token

The $ASTER token is listed on Bybit (≈ $273M daily volume), MEXC (≈ $289M), Gate (≈ $215M), ZOOMEX (≈ $109M), and PancakeSwap V3 (≈ $206M). Bybit consistently ranks among the top venues for ASTER/USDT trading, making it one of the most accessible options for retail investors.

How to buy $ASTER on Bybit:

  1. Create and verify an account: Register on Bybit, complete identity verification, and enable account security such as two-factor authentication.
  2. Deposit funds: Transfer USDT into your Bybit account from your wallet or another exchange using supported deposit networks.
  3. Navigate to ASTER/USDT: Open the spot trading section, search for ASTER, and select the ASTER/USDT trading pair.
  4. Place your order: Enter the desired amount of USDT, choose market for instant execution or limit for a set price, then confirm purchase.
  5. Store your tokens: Once purchased, keep $ASTER on Bybit for trading or transfer to a self-custody wallet for long-term holding.
How to buy ASTER on Bybit

Bottom Line

Aster DEX gives traders a full suite of tools to move beyond basic swaps, from perpetual contracts with advanced order types to one-click 1001x mode.

The learning curve can be steeper than on other platforms, but once mastered, Aster delivers serious flexibility across spot, perps, and automation.

Hyperliquid may set today’s standard for decentralized trading, yet Aster’s multichain reach and growing feature set make it a contender worth watching.

Frequently asked questions