Aster (often referred to as AsterDEX or Aster DEX) is a next-generation decentralized exchange (DEX) that specializes in perpetual futures and spot trading, designed to offer a centralized exchange (CEX) experience with the security of non-custodial, on-chain trading. It was formed in early 2025 following a merger of Astherus (a yield infrastructure protocol) and APX Finance (a perps DEX), heavily supported by YZi Labs.