| FEATURE | DRIFT | ASTER |
|---|---|---|
| Type | DEX | DEX |
| Taker Fee | 0.035% | 0.0004% |
| Maker Fee | -0.0025% | 0.00005% |
| Max Leverage | 101x | 1001x |
| Perp Pairs | 40 | 100 |
| Spot Trading | Yes | Yes |
| KYC Required | No | No |
| Rating | 2.0 | 4.2 |
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: $270M stolen on April 1-2, 2026 via Solana durable nonces — protocol under recovery, relaunch pending
- − Only available on Solana — users on other chains must bridge assets
- − High Leverage Mode (up to 101x) charges 2x the bottom taker fee tier
Aster
PROS
- + Industry-leading up to 1001x leverage in Simple Mode on select crypto pairs (BTC, ETH on BNB Chain and Arbitrum)
- + MEV-resistant hidden orders enable whale-size trades without front-running or price impact — unique among major perp DEXes
- + Yield-bearing collateral (asBNB, USDF) allows traders to earn yield while maintaining open margin positions
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
- − Founded team is pseudonymous with limited public disclosure of the full private cap table and upgrade key management
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drift or Aster better?
Aster has a higher rating (4.2 vs 2). Aster offers lower fees (0.0004% vs 0.035%). Choose Drift for its features, and Aster for lower fees.
What are the fees on Drift vs Aster?
Drift charges 0.035% taker / -0.0025% maker. Aster charges 0.0004% taker / 0.00005% maker for perpetuals.