CZ supports Genius's new positioning: Perp DEX trading terminal, not Aster's competitor

Recently, there has been controversy regarding the competitive relationship between Genius Trading and Aster, and an official response has finally been issued. Well-known figure CZ publicly clarified on social media that Genius Trading is essentially a trading terminal that connects decentralized perpetual contract trading platforms, not a competing product to Aster.

Behind this clarification is a recent large-scale funding round for Genius Trading. According to reports, YZi Labs invested tens of millions of dollars (significantly exceeding $10 million) into Genius Trading, and CZ also joined the project as an advisor.

Fundamental Differences in Project Positioning

From CZ’s clarification, the core value of Genius Trading lies in its terminal nature—it functions like an aggregator connecting multiple Perp DEX platforms. This is entirely different from Aster’s positioning as a decentralized trading platform itself. Simply put, one is a tool layer, and the other is an infrastructure layer; they address fundamentally different market pain points.

Funding Details Still Unclear

Regarding the funding structure, Genius co-founder and CEO Armaan Kalsi chose to remain low-profile—refusing to disclose whether the investment was in equity, tokens, or a hybrid scheme. As for whether the project plans to launch its own token, Armaan did not give a direct response. This cautious attitude may reflect that the project is still refining its tokenomics or ecosystem planning.

CZ’s involvement and the support of substantial capital undoubtedly provide Genius Trading with ample “traffic” and credibility endorsement. However, in the long run, the true value of this Perp DEX trading terminal will depend on whether it can generate sufficient revenue and enhance user experience in actual operations.