Ecological transformation of data platform: CoinMarketCap launches Launch function. What is the deep meaning of the first release of Aster?

Author: 1912212.eth, Foresight News

On May 15, the cryptocurrency data platform CoinMarketCap (CMC) launched its new feature - CMC Launch. Its first launch project is Aster (AST). As a data platform, this is a major move in recent times. So what is the significance and thinking behind it? What other highlights did Aster become Launch’s first online project?

CoinMarketCap's newly launched Launch is similar to the mission platform Galxe Galaxy, screening some high-quality projects to provide a display platform for it. Users can directly click on the link on the CMC official website to participate in task activities (such as following Twitter accounts, transaction interactions, etc.) and obtain certain project airdrops in the future.

It is worth noting that CoinMarketCap official prompts that its mission activities are operated by third parties. No responsibility for any task or reward, nor control.

Since its establishment in 2013, CoinMarketCap has become one of the mainstream data platforms in the cryptocurrency field, with more than tens of millions of monthly active users and more than 800 million page views at one point. However, with the rapid development of the crypto market and the industry competition is becoming increasingly fierce, the functional boundaries of data platforms are being redefined.

The number of crypto projects has exploded, with thousands of new tokens added in 2024 alone. If new projects want to stand out in a crowded market, they face huge traffic and user acquisition difficulties. At the same time, competitors such as Pump.fun, PancakeSwap's SpringBoard, and Raydium's LaunchLab are also providing exposure opportunities for early projects through Launchpool or similar mechanisms. After Binance Alpha continues to attract market attention, the project party's exposure demand has increased sharply. CoinMarketCap's launch of CMC Launch is not only a response to market demand, but also an important step for it to seek differentiation in competition.

In addition, as the crypto market matures, investors and users are paying more and more attention to early projects (Pre-TGE, before token generation events). Early projects attracted a large number of users looking for the "next big thing" due to their high potential and high risk. CoinMarketCap provides a high-visual display platform for high-quality early-stage projects through CMC Launch, while providing users with opportunities to participate in airdrops, interactive tasks, etc. to enhance community stickiness.

In the past, due to the hidden tricks of multiple project parties in the airdrop, they did not send out what they should be sent and gave less promises. The rules suddenly changed and eliminated many users, and even refused to issue airdrops for various reasons. As the platform, CoinMarketCap is equivalent to using its own brand as a guarantee to endorse the issuance of airdrop rules. In the long run, it is undoubtedly a new attempt to win-win cooperation for CoinMarketCap itself, high-quality project parties and retail investors.

The transformation of the data platform into an ecological builder is not unique to CoinMarketCap. In 2024, Arkham Intelligence launched its own perpetual contract exchange, showing a trend for data platforms to expand their business boundaries. CoinMarketCap is backed by Binance's resource support and has natural advantages in brand, traffic and technology. The launch of CMC Launch is in line with the trend of the industry's development towards a comprehensive platform. As an independent operating platform, it can also increase its revenue and profitability.

• Aster ($AST) is a decentralized perpetual contract exchange formed by the merger of Astherus and APX Finance, and has been invested by YZi Labs (an independent branch of Binance).
• Positioned at the next generation of perpetual contract DEX, Aster aims to provide a seamless trading experience for all users from novice to professional traders. The project runs on BNB Chain and Arbitrum, and Aster's core technical highlights include:
• Dual-mode trading interface: Simple Mode supports one-click trading, providing up to 1001 times leverage, suitable for beginners; Pro Mode provides senior traders with advanced tools such as in-depth charts and complex order types.
• Uncustodial Transactions: Aster does not require KYC (know your customers) verification,

Aster integrates robust liquidity pools and earning products through collaboration with partners such as PancakeSwap to support minting and holding assets such as ALP, USDF and LP tokens.

Aster has shown strong appeal in the market. According to official CoinMarketCap data, Aster currently has a total trading volume of $360 billion, and its total locked-in value (TVL) has risen to $312.44 million for open contracts of $13.6 million.

According to its official website, participants currently need to follow the project party’s Twitter, follow its CMC community, and enter the Aster airdrop interface to interact and earn points.

Users can also accumulate points in the following ways to increase future $AST airdrop allocation:

Au Points: Obtained by minting and holding ALP, USDF or qualified LP tokens, suitable for investors with low risk preferences.

Rh Points: By trading perpetual contracts in professional mode, you can get 3 times Au Points bonus for trading volume exceeding US$300,000, which is suitable for high-frequency traders. (https://www.asterdex.com/en/stage1/campaign)