| FEATURE | ASTER | DYDX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | DEX | DEX |
| Taker Fee | 0.0004% | 0.05% |
| Maker Fee | 0% | 0.01% |
| Max Leverage | 1001x | 20x |
| Perp Pairs | 468 | 120 |
| Spot Trading | Yes | Yes |
| KYC Required | No | No |
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.3 |
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
dYdX
PROS
- + Competitive perpetuals taker fee of 0.05% at base tier with maker rebates rewarding liquidity providers, plus zero-fee periods on BTC and SOL markets and a Surge program offering 50% fee rebates
- + Fully decentralized governance — all protocol parameters including fees, market listings, and rewards are controlled by DYDX token holders through onchain voting
- + No KYC required — non-custodial trading via wallet connection with full onchain transparency on the dYdX Cosmos appchain
CONS
- − Maximum leverage capped at 20x — significantly lower than competitors like Hyperliquid (50x) or GMX (100x) on major pairs
- − Perpetuals remain restricted in the US, UK, and Canada — US traders can only access the new Solana spot product, not derivatives
- − USDC-only collateral with no multi-collateral support — traders cannot use BTC, ETH, or other assets as perpetual margin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aster or dYdX better?
dYdX has a higher rating (4.3 vs 4.2). Aster offers lower fees (0.0004% vs 0.05%). Choose Aster for lower fees, and dYdX for its features.
What are the fees on Aster vs dYdX?
Aster charges 0.0004% taker / 0% maker. dYdX charges 0.05% taker / 0.01% maker for perpetuals.