| FEATURE | DYDX | ASTER |
|---|---|---|
| Type | DEX | DEX |
| Taker Fee | 0.05% | 0.0004% |
| Maker Fee | -0.011% | 0.00005% |
| Max Leverage | 20x | 1001x |
| Perp Pairs | 232 | 100 |
| Spot Trading | No | Yes |
| KYC Required | No | No |
| Rating | 4.3 | 4.2 |
dYdX
PROS
- + Competitive perpetuals taker fee of 0.05% at base tier with maker rebates rewarding liquidity providers, and Surge program offering 50% fee rebates for active traders
- + 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 (40x) or GMX (50x+) on major pairs
- − Restricted in the US, UK, and Canada — three of the largest crypto markets — plus multiple sanctioned jurisdictions
- − USDC-only collateral with no multi-collateral support — traders cannot use BTC, ETH, or other assets as margin
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 dYdX or Aster better?
dYdX has a higher rating (4.3 vs 4.2). Aster offers lower fees (0.0004% vs 0.05%). Choose dYdX for its features, and Aster for lower fees.
What are the fees on dYdX vs Aster?
dYdX charges 0.05% taker / -0.011% maker. Aster charges 0.0004% taker / 0.00005% maker for perpetuals.