Aster DEX, the next-gen perpetual decentralized exchange (DEX) backed by YZI Labs, just dropped some exciting news for crypto traders, especially those diving into meme tokens and leveraged trades. If you're into perp trading or spotting hot meme coins, this update could supercharge your rewards. Let's break down the announcement from their recent X thread, keeping things simple and straightforward.

Wrapping Up Genesis Stage 2: Airdrop Claims Incoming

Genesis Stage 2 of the Aster Dawn program is officially winding down on October 5, 2025, at 23:59 UTC. But don't worry—there's no downtime. Stage 3 kicks off immediately after, keeping the momentum going.

For those who participated in Stage 2, here's the good news on rewards:

• The airdrop checker opens on October 10, 2025, so you can see what you've earned.
• Token claims start on October 14, 2025.

The best part? These rewards come with zero locking periods. That means full flexibility—you can claim and use your $ASTER tokens right away, without any restrictions holding you back. This is a big win for traders who want to flip meme tokens or reinvest quickly without waiting around.

Diving Into Aster Dawn Stage 3: Smarter, Fairer Rewards

Stage 3 runs for five weeks, ending on November 9, 2025, at 23:59 UTC. While the exact token allocation for this stage hasn't been revealed yet, expect it to be announced soon. The focus here is on upgrading the system to reward genuine trading activity, making it more accessible and balanced for everyone—from casual meme token hunters to pro perp traders.

Key upgrades include:

• Spot Trading Rewards: Now, your spot trades count toward earning Rh points (Aster's reward points system). This is huge if you're trading volatile meme tokens on the spot market, as it adds an extra layer of incentives.
• Multi-Dimensional Scoring for All: Previously limited to top traders, this is now open to everyone. Rh points are calculated based on various real activities like trading volume, holding duration, assets in Aster (such as asBNB or USDF), realized profit and loss (P&L), and even referrals or team contributions. To keep things fair, the exact formulas and weights aren't public, but everything gets reviewed weekly for transparency.
• Symbol-Specific Boost Multipliers: Certain symbols—whether spot or perpetual—will get temporary multipliers that amp up your Trade Points. This could be a game-changer for meme token perps, where boosts on trending coins might help you rack up more rewards during hype cycles. Keep an eye on updates, as these multipliers will change over time.
• Enhanced Team Boosts: No more weekly resets! Boosts now accumulate throughout the entire stage, encouraging long-term team play. New members get the boost effect within hours, so building a squad for collaborative trading (think shared meme token strategies) just got easier.

These changes aim to level the playing field, rewarding quality trades over sheer volume. If you're trading meme token perps on Aster DEX, this means more ways to earn without gaming the system.

Referral Rate Tweaks and How to Level Up

Starting in Stage 3, the standard referral rate drops to 10% for all users. But if you're a high-volume trader, you can apply for higher rates via this form. Approvals happen quickly—within hours—so it's worth checking if you qualify, especially if you're referring friends to trade meme tokens or perps.

Community Buzz and Handy Tools

The announcement has sparked some hype in the community. One user highlighted Aster's "pattern" of not locking positions, giving traders the freedom to sell if they choose—translating to real confidence in the project's value. Another community member, Swishi.eth, even built a quick $ASTER value calculator to estimate rewards based on Rh points (note: values might adjust as more Rh are distributed).

If you're into meme tokens, Aster DEX's perp features let you leverage trades on volatile assets with deep liquidity and low fees, now with even better rewards through Aster Dawn. It's a solid platform for blockchain practitioners looking to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of crypto.

Stay tuned to Aster DEX on X for the latest, and check out their official site for more on trading perps and spots. Whether you're farming Rh points or hunting the next big meme, Stage 3 is set to make things more rewarding.