Hyperliquid and Lighter have organic value realization growth, can Aster rely solely on "Airdrop farmers" support to sustain long-term struggles?

In the fierce competition of the crypto assets market, two markedly different growth strategies are playing out in a captivating showdown. On one hand, Aster (ASTER) is rapidly rising thanks to its generous airdrop mining program; on the other hand, Hyperliquid (HYPE) and Lighter (LIGHT) focus on building substantial products and organic user growth. These two distinct development paths raise a critical question: Can short-term incentives be converted into long-term success? Or, is true product value the lasting cornerstone of the market?

Airdrop Driven Explosive Rise: The Gamble of ASTER and APX

The performance of ASTER and APX in the crypto market recently has been remarkable, with trading volumes showing explosive rise. Particularly for Aster, it achieved an astonishing trading volume of 650 billion within just a week of its launch. However, behind these numbers lies an undeniable fact: most of the activity is directly driven by Airdrop Mining incentives.

"This phenomenon is not unfamiliar to us," said a senior crypto analyst. "When a platform offers generous token rewards, traders naturally flock in. The problem is, once these incentives disappear, most of them will leave as well."

Airdrop Mining's Double-Edged Sword

This "mining-driven" growth model, while effective in the short term, has been questioned for its long-term sustainability. When the incentives end, whether these platforms can maintain user activity and trading volume becomes the focus of market attention.

"We see many traders adopting a 'harvest and exit' strategy," another market observer pointed out. "They focus on maximizing Airdrop returns, and once the reward period ends, they quickly move on to the next high-yield opportunity."

The Steady Path of Organic Growth: Long-term Layout of HYPE and LIGHT

In stark contrast to ASTER and APX, HYPE and LIGHT have chosen a more robust development path. They do not rely on large-scale Airdrop incentives but instead focus on creating practical products and cultivating a loyal user base.

HYPE is particularly noteworthy, with a market capitalization reaching $14 billion, making it an important player in the crypto market. This achievement has not been obtained through short-term incentives, but rather stems from its continuous efforts in building a sustainable financial ecosystem.

"The success of HYPE and LIGHT proves a simple but often overlooked truth: true product value is the foundation of long-term success," commented a blockchain entrepreneur. "Their users did not come for Mining, but because these platforms can solve real problems."

Core Advantages of Organic Growth

User quality over quantity: Attract users who are genuinely interested in the product, rather than short-term speculators.

Stable Price Development: Reduce speculative fluctuations and form a healthier price discovery mechanism.

Community Loyalty: Cultivating long-term supporters rather than short-term profit seekers.

Sustainable Economic Model: Does not rely on continuous token inflation to maintain user interest.

Although the community scale of HYPE and LIGHT may not grow as quickly as Airdrop-driven projects, their user stickiness and activity levels are often higher. These users are not just here for the rewards; they have a genuine interest in the platform's features and future development.

Comparison of Long-term Sustainability of Two Models

The Airdrop Mining model and the organic growth model each have their advantages and disadvantages, but the key issue lies in long-term sustainability. Historical data shows that projects relying solely on incentives often struggle to maintain their initial growth momentum.

"We have seen countless projects rapidly decline after the Airdrop ends," pointed out a crypto investment fund manager. "The real test is not how many users you can attract, but how many will stay when the incentives disappear."

The Transformation Challenges of ASTER and APX

For ASTER and APX, the key challenge is how to shift from a "mining-driven" model to a truly product-driven model. This transformation requires:

· Develop functions and services with real use value

· Cultivate user habits that do not rely on incentives

· Establish a sustainable income model

· From short-term speculators to long-term users

"ASTER and APX are currently in a race against time," explained an industry consultant. "They need to establish a sufficiently strong product appeal and user stickiness before the incentives end. Otherwise, when the Airdrop hype fades, they may face severe market challenges."

The Way of Balance: The Possibility of Combining Two Strategies

It is worth noting that these two strategies are not completely opposed; successful projects often find a balance between the two. Moderate incentives can help high-quality projects quickly gain an initial user base, while strong products can ensure that these users remain long-term.

"The ideal situation is to use Airdrop as an entry point for users, and then convert these users into long-term supporters through an excellent product experience," shared a successful crypto founder. "The problem is that many projects over-rely on the former while neglecting the latter."

Successful Mixed Strategy Case

Some successful projects have demonstrated how to effectively combine these two strategies:

Initial Limited Incentives: Provide sufficiently attractive incentives to attract early users.

Phased Reduction: Gradually reduce the intensity of incentives to avoid dependency.

Product-Driven Transformation: Launch practical features simultaneously to ensure users have a reason to stay.

Community Building: Cultivating a strong community culture and sense of belonging

Conclusion: True value is the cornerstone of long-term success

Although ASTER and APX have achieved remarkable short-term success through Airdrop Mining strategies, the organic growth paths of HYPE and LIGHT may be more sustainable in the long term. History has repeatedly shown that in the crypto market, real product value and user adoption will ultimately prevail over short-term speculation.

For investors and users, it is crucial to distinguish between these two growth models. Short-term incentives may bring quick returns, but long-term value creation is the foundation of lasting success.

The future of ASTER and APX will depend on whether they can successfully transition from incentive-driven to value-driven models. Meanwhile, the continued success of HYPE and LIGHT will further demonstrate that solid product development and organic user growth remain the most reliable paths to success in the world of Crypto Assets.

Regardless of the strategy, the ultimate winners will be those projects that can provide real value to users, rather than just short-term token rewards.