Aster CEO Confirms Aster Chain Rollout, Now in Testing Phase

Core Insights - Aster Chain is entering the testing phase with a focus on privacy features, positioning itself as a competitor to Hyperliquid in the decentralized finance (DeFi) derivatives market [1][7] - The project aims to address key issues in DeFi, particularly in derivatives trading, by balancing transparency, custody, execution speed, and user privacy [2] Group 1: Technology and Features - Aster Chain utilizes zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) to verify trades on-chain while keeping sensitive information like order sizes and profits confidential [3] - This approach aims to mitigate market manipulation and front-running, which are significant concerns for institutional and high-volume traders in the DeFi sector [3] Group 2: Market Positioning and Strategy - Originally launched as a multichain liquidity aggregator, Aster DEX is evolving into a dedicated Layer-1 chain to capture the growing derivatives trading volume in the crypto market [4] - Aster Chain is targeting a niche that competitors like Hyperliquid have not fully addressed, focusing on privacy and compliance as its key differentiators [5][8] Group 3: Market Potential - If successful, Aster Chain could tap into the $2 trillion derivatives market, becoming one of the first Layer-1 solutions designed specifically for on-chain perpetuals with institutional-grade privacy [9]