CZ's Influence Casts Doubt on Aster's Rapid Ascent Amidst Formal Rejections
- YZi Labs, co-founded by Binance's CZ, holds a minority stake in Aster DEX but denies Binance's official involvement. - Aster, rebranded from ApolloX, reported $46.9B 24-hour volume and a 2,227% ASTER token surge to $2.40. - YZi's strategy focuses on incubating crypto narratives like decentralized derivatives and AI-powered DeFi within the BNB Chain ecosystem. - Despite CZ's disclaimers, Aster's ties to YZi and Binance's ecosystem boosted investor interest, competing with platforms like Hyperliquid.
YZi Labs, a venture capital entity co-founded by former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ), owns a minority interest in the decentralized derivatives platform Aster. CZ has made it clear that Binance is not officially involved with Aster. In a Twitter Spaces discussion held on September 27, 2025, CZ stated that neither he nor Binance provides support to Aster, though he did confirm YZi Labs’ investment, emphasizing it does not equate to full ownership. He attributed the ongoing speculation to the fact that several ex-Binance staff members are now part of Aster’s team, which has led to rumors about a closer connection to Binance’s founder.
Aster, which transitioned from its former identity as ApolloX in late 2024, has attracted significant attention due to its swift expansion. The platform, which operates on the
YZi Labs’ participation in Aster aligns with its broader mission to nurture leading projects in major crypto trends, such as decentralized derivatives and AI-driven DeFi. Analysis of the firm’s 2024–2025 portfolio shows that 65% of its investments are either solo or lead rounds, with Aster exemplifying its “early-stage betting” strategy. YZi Labs’ emphasis on areas like real-world assets (RWAs), AI agents, and modular infrastructure highlights its influence as a driver of innovation within the BNB Chain network.
Although CZ has distanced himself from direct involvement, Aster’s links to YZi Labs and the Binance ecosystem have heightened investor interest. The platform’s wallet currently holds $131 million in
The rapid rise of Aster has also led to comparisons with rivals like Hyperliquid, which posted $12.8 billion in 24-hour trading volume during the same timeframe. Despite facing strong competition, Aster’s support for multiple chains and features such as hidden orders and up to 1001x leverage make it a formidable contender against centralized exchanges. YZi Labs’ history of supporting projects like Hooked and
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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