Quick Takeaways:
- Viral BlackRock ASTER ETF rumors were debunked by CZ, with no official SEC filing found.
- The forged S-1 document copied elements from BlackRock’s real Ethereum trust filing.
- ASTER fell nearly 4% despite the project launching an accelerated buyback program.
Fake BlackRock ETF Filing Sparks Confusion
A forged S-1 document claiming BlackRock filed for a staked Aster (ASTER) ETF circulated across X on Tuesday. The image closely resembled official SEC filings and referenced an “iShares Staked Aster Trust ETF,” prompting speculation about institutional interest in the token.
The document appeared legitimate at first glance, but no such filing exists in the SEC database. The text in the image actually describes BlackRock’s real iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, submitted on December 5.
CZ Quickly Debunks the Viral Rumor
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao stepped in to refute the false narrative. He warned that even well-known crypto commentators had shared the photoshopped file before verifying the source.
“Fake. Even big KOLs get fooled occasionally. Aster doesn’t need these fake photoshopped pics to grow,” CZ wrote.
CZ’s connection to Aster has previously influenced market sentiment. In November, he disclosed a $2 million personal ASTER purchase. The revelation triggered a 30% rally. Binance’s venture arm, YZi Labs, also holds a minority stake in the project.
ASTER Declines Despite Aggressive Buyback Program
The ASTER token continues to face selling pressure. On December 8, the project accelerated its Stage 4 buyback initiative, increasing daily purchases to roughly $4 million. The team stated that this move would expedite the accumulation of fees on-chain and help stabilize market conditions.
Aster stated that steady-state execution should arrive within 8–10 days, after which daily buybacks will match 60–90% of the previous day’s revenue.
Despite this effort, ASTER dropped almost 4% over the past 24 hours. Trading volume fell sharply as well, sliding more than 41%.
Market Outlook Remains Uncertain
The fake ETF filing briefly revived bullish speculation around ASTER, but the rapid correction by CZ and the community neutralized the rumor. The project’s intensified buybacks may provide temporary support, yet price momentum remains weak.
At the time of writing, ASTER trades at $0.93, with sentiment mixed as investors wait to see whether the enhanced buyback pressure can offset declining demand.