Aster is moving to the next stage of its growth with the official confirmation that Aster Chain is now in testing. The announcement comes after weeks of speculation in the crypto community and follows the rapid rise of the ASTER token, which has recently hit new all-time highs. Traders are closely watching this development, as the Aster project shifts from being a multichain decentralized exchange (DEX) to running on its own Layer-1 network.

Aster Chain Finally Steps Into Testing

CEO Leonard Aster confirmed this week that Aster Chain; a privacy-focused Layer-1 blockchain, is now in its internal testing phase. The chain is designed to address key challenges in decentralized finance (DeFi), particularly for derivatives trading. According to the CEO, Aster Chain will offer sub-second transaction finality, native perpetual contract integration, and low fees.

Leonard also emphasized that the chain uses zero-knowledge proofs to enable verifiable trades while preserving user privacy. This balance between transparency and privacy could help Aster become a strong contender in the decentralized derivatives market.

Also read: Aster DEX Full Review

What Makes Aster Chain Different

Beyond privacy, Aster Chain will support integrated perpetual trading and is expected to run a token buyback program to return value to the community. While no official launch date has been provided, the confirmation that the network is live in testing signals that a rollout may follow soon.

Leonard also addressed community questions regarding future plans, revealing that the team is in discussions with Binance about a potential listing. Although timing remains undisclosed, he noted that such a move aligns with Aster’s broader goal of becoming a major player in DeFi.

Taking Aim at Hyperliquid’s Lead

The news comes at a time when decentralized trading is becoming increasingly competitive. Hyperliquid has long differentiated itself with its custom-built HyperEVM chain, which powers its high-speed trading network. With Aster now introducing its own Layer-1 solution, the rivalry between these two platforms may intensify, giving traders another option for decentralized perpetual contracts and derivatives.

Market Reacts With New Highs

The ASTER token reacted sharply to the news, rising more than 32% in 24 hours and setting a new all-time high of $2.34 before consolidating slightly. Trading volume climbed 45% to $3.05 billion, underlining strong market interest.

Technical indicators remain supportive of the rally. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits near 68, just below the overbought zone, while the MACD points to continued bullish momentum. However, analysts note that if the token fails to break past $2.30 with strong volume, it could retest support around $2.10 before another leg higher.

Related read: APX 400% Rally After ASTER Launch and CZ Mention

Looking Ahead

With Aster CEO confirming that Aster Chain rollout is underway, the project is signaling a major shift from a multichain DEX to a standalone Layer-1 ecosystem. Its focus on privacy, speed, and token buybacks has positioned it as a serious competitor to platforms like Hyperliquid. If the testing phase progresses smoothly, the coming months could see Aster expand its footprint in DeFi and challenge the current leaders in decentralized derivatives trading.