Hyperliquid Rival Aster DEX Targets Early 2026 For Layer 1 Launch

Aster DEX, a decentralized crypto exchange, has released a roadmap for the first half of 2026. The update includes a planned launch of Aster Chain, described as a layer-1 network. It also lists feature rollouts running from December 2025 through Q2 2026.

Aster Roadmap Built Around Three Parallel Tracks

The platform roadmap is broken down into three work streams: Infrastructure, Token Utility and Ecosystem & Community. Aster added that development will be happening across all three simultaneously. The schedule is drawn as a series of stage-gated deployments, instead of one big update.

Shield Mode is a goal for early December 2025. The feature is called high leverage privacy trading. Next to it and also for the same time window, Strategy Order will employ a TWAP approach designed to spread execution pricing as well as reduce slippage.

Mid-December 2025 includes an RWA market update. The roadmap entails an upgrade for stock perpetual markets. Support for further listed assets is also on the table, seeking to achieve greater market depth & quality.

Continuation interface work is also cited. UI and UX optimization are listed as Ongoing. Such item has no definite delivery window.

2026 Framework And Release Approach

Testnet date is the beginning of a development roadmap. The Aster Chain’s test net is scheduled to be launched on end of the December for community tests. Then a layer-1 launch for Aster Chain is targeting Q1 2026.

Developer and access are combined as a single quarter. Aster Code is described as a developer-oriented integration tool. On-ramp and off-ramp support for fiat is also scheduled in Q1, 2026, via third-party providers.

Q2 2026 is the high point for token-focused characteristics. Aster Staking is scheduled to enable ASTER holders to stake their tokens and earn APY rewards. Governance is also slated for Q2 2026 where users will be granted governance rights.

Aster Smart Money is presented as an opportunity to mirror live trades or follow the strategies of chosen traders. More specific details about who is eligible and how the controls will operate are not provided.

A recap of 2025 activity was included in the update. The project announced it combined Astherus and ApolloX, and deployed a multi-asset margin. The growth of a mobile application, a successful token generation event, and listings on centralized exchanges were mentioned