Recently, the crypto community has been buzzing loudly about ASTER. Messages like "founder lost contact" and "buyback plan shelved" are everywhere, causing many holders to become restless. I’ve seen many comments—from those who bought in at 2U and kept adding until 1U, to those still holding on and enduring the downturn, constantly reading bearish opinions from so-called influencers—it's almost enough to make one’s mental state collapse.

First, let’s be honest: panic is a very normal reaction in this market. But the real test is whether you can stay calm and think clearly amid the panic. I’ve been following the ASTER project for a long time, and today I want to break down this recent wave of negative news clearly and help everyone sort out their thoughts.

**How Much of These "Bad News" Is True or False**

Let’s go through the two most explosive pieces of news one by one.

First is the claim that the "founder lost contact." There is some basis for this. Last week, the founder of Liquid Capital posted that they couldn’t reach the ASTER project team and eventually sold their holdings. Once this news broke, it immediately triggered anxiety. But you need to pay attention to two key points: one, that the founder’s departure was their personal investment decision; the project itself doesn’t automatically become worthless just because one institution leaves. Two, ASTER has been operated by an anonymous team since its incubation in 2023, with core members never publicly revealing their identities. This isn’t a new issue—earlier, CZ even liked and recommended this project, and back then, people didn’t pay much attention to this aspect.

You could say that anonymous operation itself is a risk factor, and that’s true. But using this point to overinterpret the "founder lost contact" story is a bit excessive.

**The Truth About the Buyback Plan**

The second hot topic is the rumor that the buyback has fallen through. There are some uncertainties here. The original buyback plan was adjusted due to changes in the market environment—that’s a fact. But saying it’s "completely dead" isn’t entirely accurate. The project team later issued an update explaining that the schedule has been pushed back.

The current issue is that information in the community often gets simplified and distorted. A "pause" becomes a "cancellation," a "delay" turns into "no buyback." That’s why panic spreads so quickly.

**What Should Heavy Holders Do Now**

If you’re currently in a relatively passive position with a high average cost, this market reaction can be really uncomfortable. But my advice is: don’t let short-term emotions control you.

First, revisit your fundamental assessment of ASTER. The anonymous team and insufficient information disclosure are real risk factors worth being cautious about. But you should also consider the project’s technical direction and ecological development. Don’t completely dismiss it just because of a wave of bad news.

Second, if your risk tolerance has already reached its limit, consider gradually reducing your holdings to ease psychological pressure. Better to earn a little less than to spend every day in anxiety. Investing isn’t gambling; maintaining a stable mindset is itself a form of profit.

Third, be wary of those who exploit this panic to attract attention. Responsible analysis won’t stir up trouble when you’re most anxious but will help you clarify your thoughts.

**Final Words**

Crypto market volatility is like this—sometimes influencers are bullish, sometimes collectively bearish. The key is to know your own bottom line. Don’t be driven by emotions, and don’t make regretful decisions out of panic. Sometimes, just surviving to see the next cycle is already a win.