DeFi

Aster Expands WLFI Partnership, Launches USD1-Denominated Perpetual Markets

Lidia Yadlos · Mar 18, 2026
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Aster Expands WLFI Partnership, Launches USD1-Denominated Perpetual Markets

Aster, the privacy-first on-chain trading platform backed by YZi Labs, has announced a major expansion of its collaboration with World Liberty Financial (WLFI), introducing USD1-denominated perpetual contracts and new trading incentives.

The move strengthens liquidity ahead of the upcoming launch of Aster Chain, the project’s Layer 1 blockchain. By offering USD1 as collateral and enabling USD1-perpetual markets, Aster reduces reliance on any single stablecoin, giving traders greater flexibility and functional parity with major stablecoins like USDT.

Building the USD1 Trading Hub

USD1 perpetual contracts launch first with BTC, ETH, and SOL pairs, with more than 10 additional pairs planned in the coming weeks. To drive participation, Aster offers zero-bps maker fees and a 0.5-bps taker fee, representing an 87.5% reduction compared to standard USDT taker fees. USD1 also functions as a core margin asset and collateral, helping traders maximize capital efficiency.

Leonard, CEO of Aster, emphasized the strategic importance:

“Aster Chain’s success depends on the depth of its underlying liquidity. By integrating USD1 into our core trading engine, we’re building a strong foundation for the mainnet launch. Our 0-bps maker fees encourage early adoption and active participation.”

Zak Folkman, Co-founder and COO of WLFI, added:

“Perpetual markets are where significant trading volume lives. By listing USD1 pairs and matching USDT collateral ratios, traders can use USD1 like any major stablecoin. We aim for functional parity, not secondary status.”

Incentives for Early Adopters

The partnership introduces several rewards programs:

  • USD1 Perp Trading Rewards: Up to 2.5 million WLFI tokens distributed monthly based on trading activity, with weekly payouts.

  • USD1 Holding Incentives: Users holding USD1 may qualify for platform reward programs.

  • Reduced Fees: Zero maker fees and 0.5-bps taker fees on all USD1 pairs, significantly lower than USDT fees.

Additional tools, including Points Program tracking across web and mobile, allow traders to monitor rewards and engagement with early Aster Chain market activity.

Aster and WLFI: Building the Future of DeFi

Aster is designed as a privacy-first trading ecosystem with innovations like Hidden Orders to protect user activity. Its Layer 1 Aster Chain powers perpetual contracts across crypto, stocks, and commodities, alongside spot trading—providing a next-generation hub for decentralized finance.

WLFI, in turn, bridges traditional finance with blockchain, creating scalable, transparent solutions for global digital finance. The USD1 integration on Aster reflects WLFI’s goal of expanding access to capital markets through tokenization while supporting a robust ecosystem for traders worldwide.