On May 15th, CoinMarketCap (CMC), a cryptocurrency data platform, launched its new feature - CMC Launch. Its first project is Aster (AST). As a data platform, this is a significant move in recent times. So what is the significance and consideration behind it? What are the highlights of Aster that make it the first project to go live on Launch?

CoinMarketCap’s newly launched Launch is similar to the Galxe platform, filtering out some high-quality projects to provide them with a display platform. Users can directly click on the links on the CMC official website to participate in task activities (such as following Twitter accounts, trading interactions, etc.) to earn points and subsequently receive project airdrops with certainty.

It is worth noting that CoinMarketCap officially indicates that its mission activities are operated by a third party. It does not take responsibility for any tasks or rewards, nor does it have control over them.

Since its establishment in 2013, CoinMarketCap has become one of the mainstream data platforms in the cryptocurrency field, with monthly active users exceeding tens of millions and page views reaching a peak of over 800 million. However, with the rapid development of the crypto market, industry competition is becoming increasingly fierce, and the functional boundaries of data platforms are being redefined.

The number of cryptocurrency projects is growing explosively, with thousands of new tokens added in just 2024. New projects face huge challenges in standing out in the crowded market and acquiring users and traffic. Meanwhile, competitors such as Pump.fun, PancakeSwap’s SpringBoard, and Raydium’s LaunchLab are also providing exposure opportunities for early projects through Launchpool or similar mechanisms. Following the continued market attention to Binance Alpha, the demand for project exposure has suddenly increased. CoinMarketCap has launched CMC Launch in response to market demand, as well as an important step in seeking differentiation in the competition.

In addition, with the maturation of the crypto market, investors and users are paying increasing attention to early-stage projects (Pre-TGE, before the token generation event). Early-stage projects, due to their high potential and high risk, attract a large number of users seeking the “next big thing.” CoinMarketCap provides a high-visibility display platform for quality early-stage projects through CMC Launch, while also offering users opportunities to participate in airdrops, interactive tasks, etc., to enhance community engagement.

In the past, due to the hidden tricks in airdrops by multiple project parties, some were not distributed while others were given less than promised. Sudden rule changes eliminated many users and even rejected airdrop distribution for various reasons. As a platform, CoinMarketCap essentially uses its own brand as a guarantee to endorse airdrop distribution rules. In the long run, it is undoubtedly a new attempt at win-win cooperation for CoinMarketCap itself, high-quality project parties, and retail investors.

The transformation of data platform to ecosystem builders is not unique to CoinMarketCap. In 2024, Arkham Intelligence launched its perpetual contract exchange, demonstrating the trend of data platforms expanding their business boundaries. With the resource support from Binance, CoinMarketCap has natural advantages in brand, traffic, and technology. The launch of CMC Launch follows the trend of the industry towards comprehensive platforms. As an independently operated platform, it can also increase its revenue and profits.

Aster ($AST) is a decentralized perpetual contract trading platform, formed by the merger of Astherus and APX Finance, with investment from YZi Labs (an independent branch of Binance).

• Aster is positioned as the next-generation perpetual contract DEX, aiming to provide a seamless trading experience for all users from novices to professional traders. The project operates on BNB Chain and Arbitrum, and the core technological highlights of Aster include:
• Dual trading interface: Simple Mode supports one-click trading, providing up to 1001x leverage, suitable for beginners; Pro Mode provides advanced tools for experienced traders, such as depth charts and complex order types.
• Non-custodial trading: Aster does not require KYC (Know Your Customer) verification,
• Through collaboration with partners such as PancakeSwap, Aster has integrated robust liquidity pools and yield products, supporting the minting and holding of assets (such as ALP, USDF, and LP tokens).

Aster has shown strong appeal in the market. According to official data from CoinMarketCap, Aster currently has a total trading volume of 360 billion US dollars, 13.6 million US dollars in open positions, and its total value locked (TVL) has risen to 3.1244 billion US dollars.

According to its official website, currently participants need to follow the project’s Twitter, follow its CMC community, and enter the Aster airdrop interface to interact and earn points.

Users can also accumulate points through the following methods to increase future $AST airdrop allocation:

Au Points: Obtained by casting and holding ALP, USDF, or eligible LP tokens, suitable for investors preferring low risk.

Rh Points: Earned by trading perpetual contracts in Professional mode, with a 3x Au Points bonus for trading volume exceeding $300,000, suitable for high-frequency traders.（https://www.asterdex.com/en/stage1/campaign）

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