Aster’s current incentive phase (Genesis Stage 2) rewards trading activity with Rh points that convert into a share of the future $ASTER airdrop. Stage 2 runs through 23:59 UTC, October 5, 2025, with 4% of total supply earmarked for participants—so timing matters.
Referral code: Use XXXXX-REF when you bind an invite on Aster to unlock referral/team points. Replace the placeholder with your code before the first trade; referrals pay 10%/5% on invitees’ base Rh points
How Stage 2 Works (Quick Primer)
- Rh points accrue weekly (“epochs”: Mon 00:00 UTC → Sun 23:59 UTC).
- Scoring is multi-factor: trading volume, holding time (up to 10× weighting), Aster asset usage as margin (asBNB/USDF), and realized PnL, plus team/referral boosts; some components are capped at 2× weekly volume. Takers earn 2× maker points. Exact weights aren’t disclosed.
- The program may adjust rules; market makers in the MM program don’t earn Rh; wash trading/manipulation is disqualified.
What You Could Earn
- Direct share of airdrop: Rh points determine your slice of the 4% $ASTER supply for Stage 2. Active, quality trading (longer holds, real PnL) can outpace pure volume farming.
- Network effects: Referral and weekly team boosts can compound your base points if your group trades consistently.
- Pipeline for Stage 3: Stage 3 starts right after Stage 2 with updated mechanics (adds spot trades), so momentum may carry over.
Hidden Costs & Risks
- Leverage risk: Perp trading can wipe principal quickly; funding and fees erode edge.
- Rule shifts: Points release is non-linear; formulas/weights may change mid-program.
- Opportunity cost: Time and capital tied up to chase leaderboard ranks could underperform simpler strategies. (Inference based on Aster’s rank-based factors.
- Disqualification risk: Wash-trade patterns, botting, or multi-account farming can void rewards.
What Could Go Wrong? (Scenarios to Consider)
- Late entry crunch: With Stage 2 ending Oct 5, 2025, late participants face fewer epochs to climb ranks.
- Market chop: Holding-time incentives may backfire in volatile ranges, harming PnL despite higher point multipliers.
- Team drag: Weak team activity reduces next-week boosts; referrals without real traders add little.
- Compliance horizon: Country-specific restrictions or KYC/eligibility rules could affect claiming. Check official docs before committing.
Smart Participation Checklist
- Define max loss per week and stick to it; points aren’t worth ruin.
- Prefer taker fills only when justified by edge (they score 2×, but cost more).
- Use asBNB/USDF as margin (scores contribute) only if it suits your risk and liquidity needs.
- Build a real team: bind a valid code early; favor quality over quantity of referrals.
- Track epochs and adjust sizing around funding, fees, and volatility.
Is It Worth the Effort?
If you’re already a disciplined perp trader, Stage 2’s quality-of-trade design, plus referral/team boosts, can make the airdrop a solid overlay on activity you’d do anyway. If you’re new or inconsistent, the learning curve, volatility, and rule opacity may outweigh potential rewards—especially with the clock running down to Oct 5. For official details and updates, review Aster’s Stage 2 brief and the Medium announcement before deciding.
