Aster up 5%: CZ's investment eases market manipulation concerns

Social media amplification is always a double-edged sword for the cryptocurrency market.

On one extreme, any token backed by influential figures can easily raise concerns about “price manipulation.” But on the other hand, such support can also become a catalyst for a strong growth cycle, as investors see it as a signal of long-term profitability potential and sustainable commitment.

In this context, Aster (ASTER) unexpectedly stepped into the spotlight. A post on X by CZ – founder of Binance – was enough to ignite a new wave of enthusiasm in the market, even though he did not disclose the specific amount of ASTER staked.

From a positive perspective, many investors see this move as clear evidence of the involvement of a genuine “whale” — someone motivated to maintain a positive ROI to keep their own investment portfolio profitable. Unsurprisingly, this quickly led to a surge in price expectations, even bordering on exaggeration.

Notably, the market’s reaction is not entirely unfounded.

Currently, about 97% of the ASTER supply — nearly 7.7 billion tokens — is held by the top 100 holders. CZ’s participation in staking further reinforces the confidence of this group, encouraging a trend of holding tightly rather than selling off.

However, the core question remains unanswered: will the “media boost” from CZ truly translate into sustainable yields for HODLers, or is it merely pushing ASTER deeper into a centralized structure — where price pumps and corrections risk repeating?

Key price milestones will determine ASTER’s next move

Interestingly, CZ’s post appeared at a time when ASTER was under strong pressure: down 3% in the week, falling to a historic low of $0.50 after losing the important support zone at $0.60. Since the beginning of 2026, this token has lost about 5% of its value, pushing many HODLers into losses.

But the story doesn’t end there.

The tweet quickly coincided with a nearly 5% jump in just one day, bringing the price of ASTER back to around $0.66. Analysts say this is a “healthy reset,” as the previous decline largely cleared out high-leverage long positions.

12-month ASTER/USDT chart | Source: TradingView However, to confirm a sustainable upward trend, ASTER needs to decisively break through the $0.70 threshold. Coin Photon states that a breakout at this level will show whether the recovery is supported by real data and demand, or if it’s just a short-term rally that may face resistance — opening opportunities for bears to take profits, while many HODLers remain “stuck.”

Therefore, upcoming trading sessions will be crucial. CZ’s tweet has sparked enthusiasm, but it’s still too early to confirm a genuine breakout. If ASTER cannot sustain its upward momentum, this will clearly reflect how increasing token concentration is impacting market psychology and structure.

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