CZ Endorses Aster Protocol as Derivatives Platform Gains Traction with Major BSC-USDT Holdings

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has publicly endorsed Aster (ASTER), an emerging decentralized derivatives exchange positioning itself as a competitor to established platforms like Hyperliquid. In a September 19 post on social media platform X, Zhao highlighted that Aster has accumulated the largest external holding of BSC-USDT, second only to Binance’s official hot wallet. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence confirmed that Aster’s designated wallet contains approximately $131 million in BSC-USDT assets. This significant treasury positioning coincides with Aster’s successful token launch, signaling strong institutional confidence in the protocol’s underlying value proposition. The platform aims to disrupt the decentralized derivatives market through innovative liquidity solutions and enhanced trading mechanisms. Market observers note that Zhao’s endorsement carries substantial weight within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, often influencing investor sentiment and capital allocation decisions. The development marks another significant milestone in the evolution of decentralized finance infrastructure, particularly within the derivatives trading vertical where institutional participation continues growing.