Aster token pumps more than 500% post-TGE launch

  • ASTER token soars 550% to $0.52 post-TGE.
  • Total value locked catapulted to $1 billion, doubling pre-launch figures.
  • Aster’s debut bolsters BNB Chain’s ecosystem, boosting the BNB price.

The Aster ($ASTER) token’s debut saw it hit $0.58, rocketing by more than 500% within hours.

Aster then slightly pared the gains as traders looked for profits post-TGE and airdrop distribution for the YZi Labs-backed protocol.

Altcoins such as Lagrange, EigenLayer and BNB have outshone the broader market.

Launching at an initial price of approximately $0.08, the token swiftly ascended to a peak of $0.52.

It is a move that encompassed a staggering 550% gain in its first trading session and saw ASTER’s market capitalization rally past the $800 million threshold.

On debut, Aster rose to rank among the top 150 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

As the token’s price pumped, daily volume rose to over $420 million in the initial 24 hours, up 1800%.

While the 500% climb validates Aster’s utility in perpetual trading, bulls have to be aware of a potential sharp pullback if price overextends into the overbought territory.

Aster TVL jumps to $1 billion

Aster’s total value locked has exceeded expectations, surging to over $1 billion within days of the TGE in a milestone that represents a more than twofold increase from pre-launch figures of around $400 million, attracting over 330,000 new wallets and solidifying Aster’s position as the second-largest perpetual DEX globally.

The influx highlights the platform’s multi-chain prowess, spanning BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum, where users leverage unique collateral options like liquid-staking as BNB and yield-bearing USDF stablecoins.

Privacy-focused innovations, such as zk-proofs have drawn sophisticated traders seeking capital efficiency without custodial risks whereas Aster’s integration with PancakeSwap has boosted ecosystem liquidity, contributing to a 15% uptick in BNB’s price over the past week.

Market observers note that this $1 billion TVL not only enhances on-chain stability but also positions Aster to capture a slice of the $16 billion Hyperliquid pie, potentially driving annual revenues toward $500 million through fee structures that reward $ASTER holders.

A significant first step for $ASTER on BNB Chain

For $ASTER, this TGE marks a transformative debut on BNB Chain, laying the groundwork for broader DeFi adoption.

As a high-performance Layer-1 with privacy at its core, Aster Chain empowers seamless perpetuals and spot trading, democratizing access for both novice and pro users via intuitive Simple and Pro modes.

The platform’s non-custodial ethos, coupled with governance via $ASTER enables fee discounts and protocol upgrades.

Implementation of this feature aligns with the community-first principles that propelled BNB Chain’s growth to over $16 billion in TVL.

This milestone extends beyond numbers as it validates BNB Chain’s edge in low-fee, high-throughput environments, especially as altcoin rotations favor derivatives amid Bitcoin’s stabilization above $117k.

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Low trust in banks drives Americans toward crypto and DeFi adoption

  • Nearly 18% of Americans have used or owned cryptocurrency.
  • 84% would use DeFi for online shopping, 78% for bills, 77% for saving.
  • 54% want full control over personal and financial data.

A new study by the Defi Education Fund, carried out with Ipsos, reveals a strong appetite for alternative financial systems in the United States.

The survey shows that frustration with traditional banks is widespread, and many Americans want greater control over their money. At the same time, interest in decentralised finance is steadily rising.

Nearly one in five Americans has owned or used cryptocurrency, while a larger group is keen to explore DeFi as a way to manage transactions without relying on intermediaries.

The findings highlight the scale of financial dissatisfaction and the shift towards digital finance.

Growing demand for DeFi access

The study indicates that 42% of Americans would try DeFi if regulations made access easier.

Of those, 84% would use DeFi for online shopping, 78% for paying bills, and 77% for saving money.

Despite this, only 12% of respondents described themselves as very or extremely interested in learning about DeFi, showing a gap between potential use and deeper understanding.

Four in ten participants believe DeFi could help reduce transaction and service fees, which are often considered too high in the current banking system.

Around 22% of Americans are also curious about blockchain, crypto, and other non-traditional finance models.

The research underlines how people across different age groups and backgrounds are showing an interest, pointing to broad-based demand.

Weakening trust in traditional banks

Confidence in the banking sector remains low. Only 40% of respondents said they trust large national banks, and 43% trust regional or community banks.

Less than half of Americans feel the financial system meets their needs, while only 25% believe it benefits ordinary people.

The survey further shows that 56% of Americans want full control of their money, and 51% want the ability to send money digitally without third-party involvement.

Foreign-born Americans showed an especially strong desire for these features.

Security concerns are also pronounced, with only 29% of respondents believing the financial system is secure.

Many participants also said they see current fees as barriers to inclusion, underscoring the demand for alternatives.

Lawmakers weigh crypto regulation

The findings come at a time when lawmakers and industry leaders are actively shaping crypto policy in the US.

Efforts to regulate digital assets could have a direct impact on adoption rates, especially as 42% of Americans link their interest in DeFi to easier access through legislation.

The study highlights that 54% of Americans want complete control of their personal and financial data, reflecting broader concerns about privacy in digital transactions.

This intersection of public demand, regulatory debate, and emerging technology could play a critical role in determining how DeFi develops in the United States in the coming years.

The data suggests that the conversation around finance is no longer limited to banks and regulators, but increasingly includes everyday Americans who want a different kind of system.

Growing participation in crypto markets and the ongoing debate on financial rules will continue to shape how quickly DeFi moves into the mainstream.

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Lagrange price rockets 80% amid listing on South Korea’s largest crypto exchange

  • Lagrange price skyrocketed by over 80% after South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, announced trading support.
  • Upbit also listed Lombard, a Bitcoin DeFi protocol.
  • Both BARD and LA tokens pared gains amid rising profit-taking.

Lagrange (LA), a zero-knowledge (ZK) infrastructure project, saw its price skyrocket by more than 80% following a listing announcement by Upbit, South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchange.

As Upbit’s move sparked widespread interest, LA price reached intraday highs of $0.64 and ranked among the top gainers as it outpaced the likes of Wormhole, EigenLayer and Pudgy Penguins.

Lombard, another token landing on Upbit, witnessed a sharp spike before swiftly paring gains amid profit-taking.

Lagrange price soars 80% after Upbit listing announcement

As noted, upward momentum for Lagrange gained traction with the announcement of its listing on Upbit.

In an update, Upbit said it would list LA for spot trading against the Korean won, with the BARD/KRW pair available at 19:30 pm local time on Sept. 18.

Following the news, LA’s price spiked by more than 80%, pushing the token’s value to highs of $0.64.

LA price had hovered at lows of $0.35 prior to Upbit’s announcement.

The price surge aligns with historical trends that have seen newly listed tokens, particularly on major exchanges like Upbit, go parabolic amid significant volatility.

Lagrange price chart by CoinMarketCap

Upbit also lists the Bitcoin DeFi platform Lombard

South Korea’s Upbit has also expanded its list of supported cryptocurrencies with the listing of  Lombard (BARD).

The exchange announced trading support for the native token of the Bitcoin DeFi platform on Thursday, adding trading pairs for BTC and Korean won.

Upbit’s listing of BARD adds to the growing number of tokens that have found traction on the leading crypto exchange in South Korea.

Investors interested in leveraging Bitcoin’s stability for DeFi applications will fancy Lombard, which aims to bring Bitcoin-based capital markets on-chain, and rallied amid a confluence of other factors too.

BARD and LA price outlook

Lagrange’s zero-knowledge proof generation platform has attracted support from global giants such as Nvidia, ZKSync developer Matter Labs and Polygon.

Meanwhile, Lombard is a project looking to tap into Bitcoin’s growing DeFi ecosystem. Analysts note that both tokens are riding exchange momentum.

Nonetheless, volatility may engulf both before a steadier growth trajectory emerges.

As of writing, LA traded around $0.48, sharply paring gains amid a staggering 1,120% spike in daily trading volume.

BARD meanwhile hovered around $1.08, again having sharply retreated from its intraday peak of $1.61.

Analysts expect the buzz around these tokens will cool off and likely add to downward pressure.

However, the overall broader market sentiment is bullish.

As such, holding key levels at $0.40 and $1 could be key to LA and BARD’s short term price outlook.

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Eigen price spikes 33% as EigenLayer leads fresh altcoin rally

  • EigenLayer price hovered around $2.03, up by 33% after breaking to highs of $2.09.
  • The US Securities and Exchange Commission’s move to approve a rules-based listing standard buoyed altcoins.
  • EIGEN price also gained as the Fed cut interest rates,

EigenLayer (EIGEN) is surging. Its price hovers near $2.03, currently up by 33% in 24 hours as a broader rally boosts altcoins.

The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a notable resurgence amid the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision and a key regulatory win for altcoins.

EigenLayer price jumps 33% to retest key level

As most altcoins posted minor gains in early trading on Thursday, EigenLayer’s EIGEN token experienced a dramatic 33% price increase.

The EIGEN token climbed from lows of $1.50 to hit highs of $2.09, with the sharp uptick marking a significant continuation following a breakout of a descending triangle pattern.

Some catalysts of the uptick include partnerships and integrations, regulatory developments and macroeconomic indicators.

For instance, on September 17, 2025, the US Securities and Exchange Commission approved generic listing standards for commodity-based trust shares.

It means the regulator is adopting a rules-based approach that will streamline the approval process for exchange-traded products on platforms like the NYSE, Nasdaq, and Cboe Global Markets.

EIGEN gained ground as the Federal Reserve’s rate cut supported broader risk sentiment, while optimism has also been fueled by EigenLayer’s recent partnership with Google.

In the past 24 hours, trading in the protocol’s native token surged, with volumes topping \$427 million — a 260% jump alongside a sharp pickup in activity.

Crypto rally: EIGEN leads altcoin surge

EIGEN’s impressive performance is not occurring in isolation; it is leading a fresh wave of enthusiasm across altcoins, particularly those within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Tokens associated with layer-2 solutions, DeFi protocols, and restaking mechanisms have seen gains ranging from 10% to 25% in the past 24 hours.

Ethereum-linked projects are regaining prominence after months of Bitcoin-led momentum, with EigenLayer at the forefront through a string of new partnerships.

The protocol has recently expanded ties with Moonbeam and Aethir, while also joining forces with Google.

As part of that collaboration, EigenCloud is serving as a launch partner for Google Cloud’s new Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), underscoring the project’s growing role in Ethereum’s broader ecosystem.

“AP2 helps create a global verifiable economy where agents can coordinate, transact, and prove their actions to humans and to each other. EigenCloud makes sure they are held accountable by any counterparty,” said EigenLayer founder Sreeram Kannan.

Other altcoins to rally amid the latest surge include EtherFi and Lido DAO, both boasting double-digit gains in the past 24 hours.

Polkadot, Bitcoin Cash, Sui and NEAR Protocol are some of the altcoins to outpace the broader market and peers as altcoins signal new momentum.

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