CoinMarketCap has recently introduced its new platform, 'CMC Launch,' aimed at pre-TGE projects, with Aster being the inaugural project featured. Aster, a decentralized perpetual exchange, is set to airdrop its new AST token through this launch.

Once the AST airdrop by CoinMarketCap is completed, the platform will be actively seeking out promising crypto projects that have yet to launch tokens. With a substantial monthly audience of 70 million users, CMC Launch could potentially attract a large following.

By venturing into the launchpad sector with CMC Launch, CoinMarketCap is expanding beyond its established reputation in blockchain data and analysis. The platform will face competition from existing players like Pump.fun, PancakeSwap’s SpringBoard, and Raydium’s LaunchLab.

Aster has been chosen as the first project on CMC Launch due to various factors, including its association with YZi Labs, a spinoff from Binance. The project aims to innovate the perpetual exchange landscape with features such as non-custodial trading, minting, staking, and robust infrastructure, currently operating on BNB Chain and Arbitrum with plans for expansion to other blockchains.

After the AST airdrop phase, CoinMarketCap intends to identify and support other promising pre-TGE crypto ventures, maintaining rigorous quality standards. With its extensive user base, CoinMarketCap anticipates a significant response to airdrops, potentially exploring new revenue avenues while contributing to the cryptocurrency sector's growth.