Aster DEX Deploys 20-40% Fees in Targeted Token Buybacks

Aster DEX has officially launched its highly anticipated strategic buyback reserve, allocating 20–40% of daily protocol fees for the open-market repurchase of ASTER tokens. The initiative builds on Stage 5, which was introduced in late December 2025. The goal is to maintain demand for the tokens while gradually decreasing the circulating supply. 

Community opinions on X are deeply divided. While some support the program’s plan to reduce supply, others question how much it can help short-term prices, especially given the ongoing weakness in the altcoin market.

Evolution of Aster’s Buyback Framework

Aster’s Stage 5 allocates up to 80% of the fees it generates to support token-related activities. This allocation is divided into two parts. While 40% is used for daily market purchases from a dedicated wallet that currently holds over 12 million ASTER tokens, the remaining funds are placed into a flexible reserve. This enables the team to buy back larger quantities of tokens when the timing is optimal.

In earlier phases, Aster removed 209 million tokens from circulation, spending over $140 million in the process. Additionally, it permanently burned 77.8 million tokens. The program has grown from basic fee redistribution to more advanced methods that directly link token value to platform revenue.

Aster has generated over $280 million in fees since its launch, thanks to features like multi-chain trading and enhanced order types. The total supply of tokens is limited to 8 billion, with approximately 2.57 billion tokens currently in circulation. The latest phase continues to put pressure on token supply while encouraging long-term holders through structured airdrops and vesting options.

Market Reaction

Despite the renewed commitment to buybacks, ASTER’s stock fell 11% intraday to approximately $0.64 at the time of this writing. The drop has resulted in a market capitalization of around $1.56 billion and a 24-hour trading volume of $220 million, according to CoinGecko data. 

Meanwhile, as of early January 19, Aster DEX’s reserve wallet holds 73,107 ASTER and about 1.95 million USDT. However, no new buyback transactions were seen on BscScan during that time. The automatic wallet also showed no recent activity besides its existing balance.

Experts believe future price support may depend on transaction volume and confirmation of ongoing activity on-chain. Aster has promised regular updates to ensure transparency, but the market is waiting for precise details on how the reserves will be used in the near future.

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