Aster Perps DEX has launched Shield Mode, allowing users to open high-leverage perpetual positions with a "protected execution" mechanism, enabling them to trade without publicly disclosing their positions to the market.
The new feature targets the "over-transparency" vulnerability of DeFi, where orders and positions are easily tracked for MEV mining. Shield Mode promises instant, slippage-free order execution on BTC and ETH pairs, and offers free Gas Price and transaction fees until December 31st.
- Shield Mode makes perpetual trading more discreet, preventing the position from being displayed on the public Order Book .
- Supports up to 1,001x leverage for the BTC/ ETH pair, instant order execution, and a commitment to 0 slippage during the launch phase.
- Gas Price and transaction fees are waived until December 31st, but Shield Mode orders will not count towards Aster's Airdrop program.
Shield Mode allows for high-leverage perpetual trading without revealing your strategy.
Shield Mode is a protective execution mode on Aster that allows opening high-leverage perpetual orders without spreading the position to the market, while also supporting instant order execution and zero slippage during the launch phase.
With Shield Mode, Aster states that users can trade the Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) pair with a maximum leverage of 1,001 times. The core difference is that positions are not posted to the public Order Book , reducing the possibility of being tracked and exploited by MEV tactics.
During the launch promotion, which runs until December 31st, the platform waives all Gas Price and transaction fees. However, transactions executed in Shield Mode will not count towards Aster's Airdrop rewards program, meaning users should consider prioritizing "closed positions" or accumulating reward points.
From a Derivative monitoring perspective, BingX 's analytical tools can help users examine market conditions such as price volatility, liquidation , and trading sentiment before using high leverage, enabling more precise risk planning.
on-chain transparency creates opportunities for MEV and order hacking tactics.
Transparency is a core characteristic of blockchain, but in DeFi trading, the ability to observe orders and transactions can lead to MEV, where bots/validators rearrange or insert transactions for personal gain.
MEV (maximal extractable value) typically occurs when pending trading data is observed and then exploited. Common tactics include "frontrunning," where bots spot large orders and enter them early to profit from price fluctuations; and "sandwich attack," where bots place orders before and after the target trade to profit from short-term price spikes.
The problem becomes serious in DeFi because much of the activity on DEXs can be publicly monitored, creating real-time information asymmetry. In traditional finance, mechanisms like dark pools or private order matching channels have long existed to protect large orders, while DEXs often lack a similar layer of "execution anonymity."
Aster views privacy as a competitive advantage in the perps market.
Aster positions Shield Mode as a building block for future privacy features, while also adding a segregated margin mechanism to control risk when trading with high leverage.
In its announcement on X , Aster emphasized that Shield Mode is aimed at traders who want performance without "broadcasting" their next move, and XEM it as the first building block for the privacy features being explored with Aster Chain.
Shield Mode is for traders who want performance without broadcasting their next move; it's today's protected execution mode and an early building block for the privacy features we're exploring with Aster Chain.
– Aster, announcement on X
Another highlight is the “isolated margin” for more precise risk control, allowing potential losses to be limited within the margin of the position, while still using high leverage. Aster also promotes one-tap Longing/ Short operations and promises zero slippage on supported pairs during the launch phase.
This effort comes as Aster seeks to solidify its position in the perpetual market. The platform is expected to temporarily surpass Hyperliquid to become the largest DEX perps by September 2025, highlighting the crucial battlegrounds in "order execution experience" and "trader protection."
Perp volume and the race with Hyperliquid according to defillama data
defillama shows that Aster is leading Hyperliquid in 24-hour and 30-day perps Volume , although Hyperliquid still leads in DEX 30-day Volume , reflecting the difference between perps activity and total DEX transactions.
Currently, Aster is showing the lead over Hyperliquid in 24-hour perps volume: over $4.95 billion compared to $3.17 billion. On the 30-day timeframe, Hyperliquid has over $204.35 billion in perps Volume, while Aster has reached $219.85 billion.
However, Hyperliquid still leads in DEX Volume over the past 30 days with over $6.59 billion, while Aster is at over $2.72 billion. This suggests that Aster is strong in the perps product, while Hyperliquid has an advantage in total DEX transactions, at least according to metrics compiled by defillama .
Hidden Orders and Aster's Privacy Roadmap
Shield Mode continues Aster's privacy strategy following Hidden Orders, and the platform reveals a Flexible Fee Model with two pricing mechanisms: a fixed rate or PnL (pay-as-you-go).
In June 2025, Aster introduced Hidden Orders, describing it as the first perpetual DEX to integrate hidden orders, concealing both the price and size of the order from other market participants. Compared to Shield Mode (which focuses on “protected execution”), Hidden Orders emphasizes reducing the visibility of the order.
Aster also stated that it will soon implement a Flexible Fee Model, which includes a fixed-rate fee mode per transaction and a profit/loss (PnL) mode, where users only pay fees when they make a profit. If properly implemented, these mechanisms could significantly impact trader behavior and Aster's position in the decentralized perps market.
On a broader scale, Aster's approach reflects a DeFi trend that acknowledges that "absolute transparency" sometimes conflicts with the actual needs of transactions. This concern has also fueled the push for privacy-oriented solutions and reignited the "privacy" theme in crypto this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shield Mode on Aster?
Shield Mode is a perpetual "protected execution" trading mode that allows opening high-leverage positions without spreading the position to the public Order Book , while also supporting instant order execution and a commitment to zero slippage on supported pairs during the launch phase.
Why are traders concerned about the transparency of DEXs?
Because orders and transactions can be observed for MEV exploitation, such as frontrunning or sandwich attacks, where bots/validators arrange or insert trades to profit from price volatility and information asymmetry.
Are Shield Mode transactions counted towards the Aster Airdrop ?
No. Aster clarifies that orders executed in Shield Mode will not count toward the Airdrop rewards program, even though the platform is offering free Gas Price and transaction fees during the promotional period until December 31st.
How is Hidden Orders different from Shield Mode?
Hidden Orders focus on concealing the price and size of orders from market participants, while Shield Mode emphasizes protective enforcement mechanisms for high-leverage trading without "broadcasting" the position to the market.
What are the risks of using 1,001x leverage?
Extremely high leverage can lead to very rapid liquidation of positions with only small price fluctuations. Although Aster mentions isolated margin to limit risk based on margin size, users still need to manage Capital and entry points carefully.
