TLDR
- Aster has launched AOS-2, extending its open listing framework from spot markets to perpetual futures
- Projects must stake 1 million ASTER tokens for four years with no early withdrawal option
- An on-chain validator vote determines whether a proposed perpetual market gets approved
- Approved markets target a T+1 listing after Aster’s risk team sets leverage and trading parameters
- Rejected applications get their full 1 million ASTER stake returned
Aster has launched its second open listing standard, AOS-2, allowing projects to apply for perpetual futures listings on the decentralized exchange through a public, on-chain process.
AOS-2 enters into force.
The Aster Open Standards began with AOS-1, which opened spot listings to projects meeting a published set of criteria.
AOS-2 now extends the same principle to perpetual markets, where listing has traditionally depended on private negotiation.
Under… pic.twitter.com/sFtII7bcMl
— Aster 🥷 (@Aster_DEX) August 11, 2026
The new framework requires any eligible project to stake 1 million ASTER tokens before submitting a perpetual market proposal. Those tokens are locked for four years with no early exit once the process begins.
How the Validator Vote Works
After staking, a project’s proposal goes to an on-chain validator vote on Aster Chain. Validators review the application and record their decisions publicly. The rules governing the process are also publicly available.
If validators approve the proposal, it moves to Aster’s risk team. That team sets the leverage limits and other trading parameters for the contract. Aster aims to list the approved market on T+1, meaning the day after all setup is complete.
Projects that fail the vote get their full 1 million ASTER stake returned. Aster has not disclosed how long voting lasts, what approval threshold is required, or when returned tokens become available.
Aster’s risk team retains control over leverage and contract settings even after validator approval. The platform said all rules and decisions will be recorded on-chain.
AOS-2 Builds on the Spot Listing Framework
AOS-2 follows AOS-1, which opened spot market listings to projects meeting published eligibility conditions. AOS-1 focused on tokens already trading on Binance Spot or available through Binance Alpha.
AOS-2 applies the same public-entry model to perpetual contracts. Aster said perpetual listings have traditionally relied on private deals between projects and exchanges.
Aster has already added perpetual markets through direct partnerships. In April, it listed a GENIUS perpetual contract, making it the first decentralized venue to do so. That deal also included a $200,000 ASTER trading reward pool.
The 1 million ASTER staking requirement adds a new use for the platform’s native token. The cost of applying will vary with ASTER’s market price even though the token amount stays fixed.
Aster previously tied 99% of daily platform fees to open-market ASTER buybacks. It also planned to cut total supply from 8 billion to 3 billion tokens through reserve burns.
Perp DEX Market Share Is Growing
According to CoinGecko’s 2026 Crypto Perpetuals Report, perpetual DEXs grew their share of open interest from 3.6% in early 2025 to 13.5% in early 2026.
Total open interest across leading perpetual DEXs rose from $1.19 billion at the start of 2024 to $14.99 billion by the end of January 2026.
Centralized exchanges still dominate the space. Binance and OKX accounted for 33% and 15% of the market respectively during the first four months of 2026.
Aster has confirmed AOS-3 will follow but has not announced what it will cover or when it launches.
