| FEATURE | ASTER | DRIFT |
|---|---|---|
| Type | DEX | DEX |
| Taker Fee | 0.04% | 0.035% |
| Maker Fee | 0% | -0.0025% |
| Max Leverage | 1001x | 101x |
| Perp Pairs | 519 | 40 |
| Spot Trading | Yes | Yes |
| KYC Required | No | No |
| Rating | 4.2 | 2.0 |
Aster
PROS
- + Industry-leading 1001x leverage on BTC/USD in Simple Mode (250x on ETH, 75x on other crypto, 200x on forex) — the highest publicly advertised leverage of any major perp DEX
- + 0% maker fees across all perpetual markets (since Feb 2, 2026) and just 0.04% taker on USDT perps (0.005% on USD1 perps), plus a 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 1001x leverage on BTC/USD is extremely risky — a roughly 0.1% adverse move liquidates a 1001x position
- − Restricted in 11+ jurisdictions including the US, UK, and Canada per its Terms & Conditions — and using a VPN to bypass the restrictions violates the terms
- − 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 (pre-suspension product)
- + 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: ~$286M drained on April 1, 2026 via an administrator private-key compromise (suspected DPRK-linked / Mandiant UNC6862); ~$295M in user losses still outstanding
- − Public perpetual trading suspended since the exploit — only a private beta is live as of July 2026, with no announced public relaunch date
- − Recovery pool started at only ~$3.8M and must accrue protocol revenue and Tether/partner funds over time to cover ~$295M in losses, so users are far from being made whole
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aster or Drift better?
Aster has a higher rating (4.2 vs 2). Drift offers lower fees (0.035% vs 0.04%). Choose Aster for higher leverage, and Drift for lower fees.
What are the fees on Aster vs Drift?
Aster charges 0.04% taker / 0% maker. Drift charges 0.035% taker / -0.0025% maker for perpetuals.