Aster Tokenomics Sparks Confusion Over Token Unlocks

Aster moved to calm its community after a miscommunication on CoinMarketCap (CMC) led users to believe the project had quietly changed its token unlock schedule. 

The team said the tokenomics remain unchanged and blamed an update on CMC for creating the confusion.

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ASTER Token Unlock Confusion

The clarification came hours after Aster community members noticed major upcoming unlocks listed on CMC — including one for December 2025 and two massive releases scheduled for 2035. 

This contradicts earlier statements from the exchange about delaying 2025 unlocks to mid-2026.

The uncertainty started when updated CMC data showed 200 million ASTER scheduled to unlock on December 15, 2025, followed by 3.86 billion ASTER and 1.6 billion ASTER unlocks in 2035. 

Those figures implied that 75% of the token supply was still locked, with 24% currently circulating.

Aster said the CMC update was meant to correct circulating supply information and clarify how unused ecosystem tokens were being treated. 

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The team said the tokens that unlock monthly under the ecosystem allocation have never entered circulation and have remained untouched in a locked address since TGE.

To avoid further confusion, Aster will now transfer these unlocked-but-unused tokens to a public, dedicated unlock address to separate them from operational wallets. 

The team said it has no plans to spend from this address.

Why This Matters for ASTER Holders

The episode highlights a recurring issue in crypto markets. Inconsistent or unclear circulating supply data can influence price action, investor expectations, and perceived dilution risk.

Aster’s circulating supply sits around 2.017 billion ASTER, with 6.06 billion still locked. Market cap is roughly $2.28 billion, while the fully diluted value exceeds $9 billion.

A sudden interpretation that large unlocks were imminent may have fueled speculation about dilution, especially as the project recently saw heavy trading volume and rising volatility.

Despite the confusion, ASTER traded higher on the day, moving around $1.14, up about 8% in 24 hours. The price has fluctuated between $1.02–$1.15, stabilizing after an early-morning sell-off.