| FEATURE | ASTER | DRIFT |
|---|---|---|
| Type | DEX | DEX |
| Taker Fee | 0.0004% | 0.035% |
| Maker Fee | 0% | -0.0025% |
| Max Leverage | 1001x | 101x |
| Perp Pairs | 468 | 40 |
| Spot Trading | Yes | Yes |
| KYC Required | No | No |
| Rating | 4.2 | 2.0 |
Aster
PROS
- + Industry-leading up to 1001x leverage in Simple Mode on select crypto pairs (BTC, ETH on BNB Chain and Arbitrum)
- + Zero maker fees on USDT perpetuals (taker just 0.04%) plus an additional 5% discount when paying fees with $ASTER, and fee-free stock perpetuals
- + MEV-resistant hidden orders enable whale-size trades without front-running or price impact — unique among major perp DEXes
CONS
- − Maximum leverage of 1001x in Simple Mode is extremely risky — a 0.1% adverse move liquidates a 1001x position
- − Restricted in the US, UK, and Canada — three of the largest crypto markets — with no confirmed timeline for expansion
- − Founding team is pseudonymous with limited public disclosure of the full cap table and smart-contract upgrade key management
Drift
PROS
- + Up to 101x leverage available on SOL, BTC, and ETH perpetual markets via High Leverage Mode
- + Maker rebates up to -0.0033% at VIP tier, meaning makers earn a rebate on each trade
- + Cross-collateral system lets any supported asset (USDT, SOL, JLP, etc.) serve as margin for any position
CONS
- − MAJOR EXPLOIT: ~$285-295M stolen on April 1, 2026 via Solana durable nonces (suspected DPRK-linked) — perp trading suspended, USDT relaunch pending audits as of June 2026
- − Only available on Solana — users on other chains must bridge assets
- − High Leverage Mode (up to 101x) charges 2x the bottom taker fee tier
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aster or Drift better?
Aster has a higher rating (4.2 vs 2). Aster offers lower fees (0.0004% vs 0.035%). Choose Aster for lower fees, and Drift for its features.
What are the fees on Aster vs Drift?
Aster charges 0.0004% taker / 0% maker. Drift charges 0.035% taker / -0.0025% maker for perpetuals.