Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has clarified his connection to Aster, the fast-rising perpetual DEX whose native token $ASTER rocketed to $2.44 earlier this month, giving it a market cap of more than $3 billion.
In a repost on X (formerly Twitter), CZ confirmed that several former Binance employees are part of the Aster team and that YZi Labs – a firm with ties to Binance’s ecosystem – holds a minority stake in the project. CZ explained his own role as well, writing:
“Not on the team, just an advisor.”
He added that while Aster competes with Binance’s own derivatives business, it ultimately benefits BNB by expanding on-chain trading activity.
Not on the team, just an advisor.
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) September 28, 2025
Aster has quickly become one of the most talked-about decentralized exchanges in crypto. Built as a perpetual futures DEX, it lets traders move stablecoins from chains like BNB Chain, Ethereum, and Solana to trade without KYC checks.
The token’s rise has been dramatic. After launching earlier this year, $ASTER jumped to $2.44, pushing its market capitalization past $3 billion, before cooling to around $1.85 at the time of writing. Market watchers credit heavy liquidity incentives and strong Binance-adjacent backing for the surge.
Read also: Aster vs. Hyperliquid: Who Wins the 2025 DEX War?
Speculation Around CZ’s Influence
CZ’s clarification comes after community chatter that he had told people on Spaces to buy $ASTER at $2 – claims he did not confirm. He stressed that his involvement is limited to an advisory role, and that he is not a member of Aster’s core team.
i have a friend who shilled me 3 coins
— abu (@abudonkweb3) September 27, 2025
– $BTC at $100
– $BNB at $10
and now he just told me to buy $ASTER at $2 pic.twitter.com/BZA0M3qEAy
Still, the optics of a Binance founder publicly advising a fast-growing DEX are drawing attention. Some traders see CZ’s comments as a long-term vote of confidence, while others view them as a signal to stay cautious after such a sharp early rally.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily crypto updates, market insights, and expert analysis.
