Comet Swap: A Collective‑Driven CLMM DEX for the Astar Ecosystem

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Hello Astar community — I’m Max from the Comet Swap team.

This is Comet Swap’s first public post, as we approach two key milestones:

  • Shibuya testnet — January 2026

  • Astar EVM mainnet — Q1 2026

We’re excited to share our design and direction to invite early feedback and clarify how Comet Swap is built to strengthen Astar — not just as an infrastructure, but as a liquidity-efficient, ASTR-anchored protocol that routes protocol-generated value back to the Astar ecosystem.

  • TL;DR

    • Astar-native CLMM DEX with high liquidity efficiency

    • ASTR is the core asset - no new token extracting value from the ecosystem

    • 100% of net protocol fees → ASTR buybacks → Boost for ASTR stakers

I. What is Comet Swap?

Comet Swap is a Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker (CLMM) DEX, built natively on Astar EVM with native dApp staking support and ASTR-alignment, aiming for liquidity efficiency and smooth trading experience.

What is CLMM?

CLMM differs from vanilla AMMs in one key way: liquidity is not spread across the entire price curve. Instead, LPs can concentrate liquidity into selected price ranges where trading is most active. This can significantly improve liquidity efficiency.

What Comet Swap CLMM brings

For Traders

  • Lower slippage / better execution: usable liquidity is deeper near the active price, reducing price impact for typical swaps.

  • More effective depth per TVL: the same TVL can provide stronger usable depth where trading actually occurs.

  • Smooth trading experience: fast, simple swaps with a clean UX and clear execution.

For LPs

  • Higher liquidity efficiency: provide liquidity in custom ranges instead of across the full curve.

  • More advanced position management: positions are LP NFTs that make your range, liquidity, and accrued fees explicit—simple to track and adjust.

II. What makes Comet Swap different?

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Comet Swap is being built with a clear progression of goals: community alignment → non-extractive growth → long-term operations. The thesis is simple: strengthen ASTR and the Astar staking economy, rather than diluting attention or extracting value away from the ecosystem.

With no new token launches, we don’t rely on emissions-led growth. Instead, we focus on ASTR-first incentives and fund sustainable development through Astar dApp Staking—while keeping the giveback loop intact.

Comet Giveback Loop

The core economic mechanism is simple and transparent:

Protocol usage → net protocol fees → ASTR buyback → Boost distributed to ASTR stakers

  • 100% of net protocol fees are used for periodic ASTR buybacks

  • 100% of bought-back ASTR is distributed to ASTR stakers as Boost

There is no direct fee capture by the team. More importantly, Boost is usage-backed: it’s funded by real protocol activity, not by introducing a new incentive asset or emissions program whose primary purpose is to bootstrap growth by redirecting liquidity into a separate token market—extracting value from the ecosystem and fragmenting attention.

Comet Swap is designed so value created by trading activity flows directly back into Astar ecosystem, especially to long-term ASTR holders who support the network by staking.

How to participate: ASTR holders stake via the Comet interface and receive Astar dApp Staking rewards (APR), while Boost provides incremental, usage-backed distribution via the Comet Giveback Loop.

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ASTR-anchored Alignment

Astar’s culture has always been builder-first and community-first — from dApp Staking’s long-running support for builders, to the constant community discussion on the forum. That culture is exactly what makes Astar feel different — and it’s a big reason we’re here.

We have strong conviction in Astar’s long-term direction. As ASTR sits at the economic center of that story, our commitment is simple: we build around ASTR, and we keep value flowing back into Astar.

  • ASTR is the anchor — staking and incentives stay ASTR-anchored

  • Boost is usage-backed — buybacks come from real trading activity, creating a healthy, sustainable value loop for ASTR (not short-term incentive noise)

  • Boost goes to ASTR stakers — strengthening long-term staking incentives and supporting the broader Astar economy

This keeps incentives focused on Astar and ASTR. Comet Swap is meant to grow with the ecosystem and give back to the people who support it.

Long-term Growth

The protocol also needs a way to fund long-term development and growth. Instead of extracting from protocol fees, Comet Swap earns rewards via Astar’s dApp Staking, just like other supported dApps.

This supports:

  • Engineering & maintenance

  • Performance & UX improvements

  • Ecosystem integrations

  • Security monitoring & infrastructure upkeep

:light_bulb: More users staking ASTR via Comet Swap → more dApp Staking rewards to users and the protocol → stronger incentives + long-term sustainability

Users earn dApp Staking APR + Boost, while the protocol receives dApp Staking rewards to keep shipping long-term — a win-win alignment that preserves the Giveback Loop.

III. Why this matters

As Astar enters its next growth phase — with expanded adoption in the Soneium ecosystem, Startale App rollout, tokenomics 3.0 progressing, and ongoing Burndrop experiment — it’s increasingly important that DeFi protocols reinforce ASTR, rather than extract value from it.

For the Astar ecosystem

  • More ASTR aligned with long-term staking

    Boost strengthens the incentive to stake ASTR, supporting participation in Astar’s staking economy.

  • A clear value loop back to ASTR

    Protocol usage → Fee generation → ASTR buyback → Distribution to stakers

For ASTR users

  • Liquidity-efficient markets through CLMM liquidity design

  • Clear yield sources: dApp staking rewards + usage-based Boost

  • Long-term alignment: returns scale with adoption, not short-term emissions

IV. Team and Mascot

Comet Swap is built by a team of 11 cat lovers with experience across DeFi, tech and art, with joint effort and support from Astar Foundation.

Astar Foundation and our team’s focus is dedicated to build ecosystem-aligned, collective-first DeFi infrastructure designed for long-term sustainability of Astar ecosystem.

Comet Cat is our Mascot and hope you like it.

V. Roadmap

  • Internal validation (in progress)

    • End-to-end testing for swaps, CLMM positions, and fee accounting

    • Staking flow validation and security review cycles

  • Shibuya testnet — Target: January 2026

    • Community testing and UX feedback

  • Astar EVM mainnet — Target: Q1 2026

    • Mainnet launch: core swap + CLMM liquidity live

    • Post-launch iteration on UX, liquidity tooling, and performance

  • Comet Giveback Loop (Boost) — Separate milestone

    • Activate the protocol fee → ASTR buyback → Boost distribution loop

    • Tune buyback cadence based on real usage

  • Ecosystem integrations (planned)

    • Planned integrations with Astar ecosystem entry points such as the Astar Portal and other user-friendly frontends, enabling faster and smoother access to Comet Swap

VI. Summary

Comet Swap is an Astar-native CLMM DEX built to strengthen ASTR and route value back to the community.

It is designed to:

  • Improve liquidity and execution through CLMM design

  • Give value back to ASTR stakers through a clear ASTR buyback mechanism

  • Sustain long-term development through Astar dApp Staking rewards, not protocol fee extraction

We’re excited to share progress as we approach Shibuya testnet and mainnet milestones. Questions on mechanism design, fee policy, or implementation approach are welcome — happy to clarify in the replies.

VII. Resources

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Thank you for the introduction and for your development efforts!
I think Comet Swap is highly meaningful for ASTR holders.

I have a few questions:

  • You mentioned that this is a CLMM DEX— which protocol is it forked from?
  • You said that development costs will be covered by dApp Staking, but unless you make it into Tier 2, that seems quite challenging. With as many as 11 members involved, operational sustainability could become an issue. How are you thinking about this point?
  • To attract liquidity, a meaningful APR is essential. However, as far as I understand, there is no native token and no point-based incentive mechanism either. How do you plan to attract liquidity under these conditions? (This might be partially addressed by collaborating with LSD projects.)

In any case, I’m looking forward to seeing your progress.

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@Gaius_sama

They mentioned that it is “supported by the Astar Foundation,” but is this separate from the DEX that was discussed in the recent Community Call?

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Thank you for the support @you425 !

  • You mentioned that this is a CLMM DEX— which protocol is it forked from?

Our core CLMM design is based on a hybrid of Uniswap v3 and Uniswap v2, together with a custom router that can route swaps across both v3 and v2 pools to optimize execution and liquidity access.

For ASTR giveback, we use self-developed contracts with a non-rebasing mechanism for accounting and distribution. These contracts will be audited by reputable auditors ahead of mainnet.

  • You said that development costs will be covered by dApp Staking, but unless you make it into Tier 2, that seems quite challenging. With as many as 11 members involved, operational sustainability could become an issue. How are you thinking about this point?

A few clarifications:

  • Runway is not a major constraint for us - we have a non-crypto business and external funding that can support development and operations, especially in the early stages.
  • The team is aligned with ASTR’s long-term growth. We are ASTR holders ourselves, and our goal is to build in a way that strengthens ASTR rather than extracting value from the ecosystem.

dApp Staking is still an important part of the long-term model, but we’re not in a position where the project’s survival depends on immediately reaching Tier 2.

  • To attract liquidity, a meaningful APR is essential. However, as far as I understand, there is no native token and no point-based incentive mechanism either. How do you plan to attract liquidity under these conditions? (This might be partially addressed by collaborating with LSD projects.)

We agree that liquidity matters - especially early on. While we’re not using a new token or points program, we do have our plan to ensure baseline liquidity and facilitate basic trading demand with the help from ASTR supporters.

We do not see Comet Swap as another farm-dump-and-leave venue but a DEX to offer smooth and secure trading infrastructure on top of Astar L1 EVM.

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They mentioned that it is “supported by the Astar Foundation,” but is this separate from the DEX that was discussed in the recent Community Call?

Thank you for the question. Yes, Comet Swap is “the DEX” in Community Call.

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Just to confirm from Astar Foundation side.
This is the DEX, Astar Foundation is working on together with Comet Swap team. It’s a highly skilled team that passed our DD to ensure mistakes from the past are not made with this team and DEX.

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Very interesting, so as Maarten confirmed, this is the project referenced in recent discussions about Astar’s new project.

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on the project’s evolution, particularly the next steps on Shibuya and the subsequent deployment on Astar EVM. :handshake:t2::glowing_star:

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A high-quality DEX fully focused on creating value for Astar and the ASTR token, and increasing utility for holders? Built by a qualified team with the support of the Astar Foundation? Things are finally starting to change… I truly believe 2026 will be a year of major transformation for the rebirth of our ecosystem! I’m really glad we’re starting to play hard! We need high-quality projects, fully focused on ASTR and backed by the Foundation — this feels like the right direction!

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@MaxX @Maarten
I see, that clarifies the overview. Thank you.

I’m looking forward to the release of the testnet and the documentation!

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Thank you for the support, @SimonB and @EMANUCT96!

We’re planning to launch a public testnet in January 2026. It won’t be perfect, but we’d love to get feedback from the community and iterate from there.

2026 will be a year of meaningful change for Astar. Comet Swap is just one small piece - but it’s a starting point for improving the network’s usability and overall experience. We will contribute from our side for Astar Collective’s revival.

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What’s important here is not just having a DEX, but having the right kind of DEX. A CLMM designed with foundation support can become core infrastructure for liquidity efficiency, protocol-owned liquidity, and future hub strategies not just a standalone trading venue.

If Comet Swap is built with this mindset (tight ASTR alignment, sustainable incentives, and composability with upcoming DeFi layers), it fits well into the broader direction being discussed. Looking forward to seeing the testnet and how liquidity, incentives, and integrations are designed from day one.

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@MaxX If I may share a suggestion and a hope as a regular AMM DEX user: I really hope there will be a strong focus on UI/UX, with the goal of making DeFi’s inherently complex processes feel extremely simple and as automated as possible.

The real challenge (and opportunity) in DeFi, in my opinion, is letting the UI handle the complexity, so that users can perform advanced operations in a very intuitive way.

I’m confident that the Astar Foundation, especially thanks to its close relationship with Startale, has all the right capabilities to lead this work in the best possible direction.

As an example, I’m currently testing the Startale App, and one concept I truly hope to see implemented in your DEX as well is how they simplified liquidity provision: allowing users to deposit just one of the two tokens of an X/Y pool, while the backend automation handles all the necessary steps to provide liquidity to the selected pool.

This kind of abstraction can be a real game changer for onboarding and long-term adoption.

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Thanks to the Comet Swap team for sharing this interesting proposal with the Astar community. Building a native CLMM DEX on Astar EVM without issuing a separate token is a notable approach, especially with protocol fees directly aligned with long-term ASTR value.

That said, I have a few questions that would help clarify the proposal further:

  1. What CLMM design does Comet Swap follow (Uniswap v3 fork, custom implementation, or a hybrid model)? This has important implications for scalability and long-term maintenance.

  2. Without a native incentive token, what is the strategy for bootstrapping initial liquidity, particularly during the early phase when trading volume may still be limited?

  3. How is the “Boost for ASTR stakers” calculated and distributed (based on volume, TVL, or staking duration)? Are there any estimates on its practical impact on staker APR?

  4. Does the team have a concrete plan for smart contract audits and a security or bug bounty program before or after mainnet launch?

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We appreciate your solution-oriented approach and efforts in planning to directly contribute to the Astar ecosystem!

I have been using CLMM mechanisms for over two years. As someone who has experienced high liquidity on Solana with Meteora, on Avalanche with TraderJo, on Starknet with Ekubo, and on many other networks, I would like to express my great pleasure at seeing you in our ecosystem.

With your permission, I would like to ask a few questions that are on my mind:

-You mentioned that the project is being developed in collaboration with the Astar Foundation. Is there anyone who can confirm this?

-How often will ASTR rewards be distributed to LP providers, and will there be any lock-up period?

-The number of team members is quite interesting. This can be interpreted both positively and negatively. A large team shows that you take this work very seriously, but won’t the budgets these people may demand jeopardize the project’s sustainability?

  • Are you considering adding position cards to the application? This would be something users would want to share on social media like X when they add liquidity to a specific range and make a good profit.
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The project seems quite interesting. I am eager to try the testnet.

On the other hand, it is a good start to forge a new DeFi space in Astar; we need DeFi on steroids.

I have two questions:

  1. What is the initial plan or approach to attract enough liquidity to meet economic milestones, such as incentives and boosts for ASTR stakers?

  2. Do you plan to extract liquidity from other ecosystems through Cross-Chain?

Astar alone right now, I don’t think it can count on enough liquidity to feed back internally. As I’ve seen in the past, we’ve gone around in circles with the same liquidity. We need an escape valve to unlock new liquidity.

You mention that you have a form of external financing, which is perfect, but it must be well targeted to make it efficient.

I wish you much success.

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CLMM with 100% fees to ASTR buybacks is a clean value loop. No new token is smart for ecosystem alignment. How are you handling impermanent loss education for LPs? And what’s the fee tier structure looking like?

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Thank you @Matt for the thoughtful comment. Yes, Comet Swap is being built with tight ASTR alignment and a long-term, sustainable operating model.

On incentives, we’re intentionally cautious in the early stage. We don’t want to become a “farm, dump, and leave” venue. Instead, our priority is to build a smooth, reliable trading experience that serves real demand from ASTR holders based on feedbacks from ASTR holders. And on liquidity, we’ll work with dedicated LPs to ensure sufficient depth and consistent execution from day one.

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Thank you @SimonB, very valid feedback. UI/UX will be a priority for us.

We’re planning to work with teams like ICHI about providing LP automation to improve the LP experience. This will likely come in a later phase after launch.

In the meantime, we’d love to build Comet Swap in public with the community and continue to iterate after launch. We’ll share a feedback form in late January alongside the testnet launch, and we’d really appreciate any input.

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For questions 1, 2, and 4, please refer to my earlier replies here:

For Boost, it will be from Comet Swap’s protocol profit, i.e., it scales with real usage after launch. We don’t expect Boost to be massive at the very beginning—wool comes from sheep—and we don’t want to “manufacture numbers” by extracting value from ASTR. Instead, Boost is meant to be a usage-backed add-on on top of the baseline dApp Staking income.

Our core focus is to facilitate the demand and provide a smooth, reliable service for ASTR holders, then continuously operate and improve UX through iterative releases post-launch and showcase ASTR value. This is our fundamental philosophy.

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Thanks @MrKarahanli-Emre @BoomBLB , please refer to earlier replies

For lockup period, we won’t have it besides standard ASTR dApp staking unlock period.

For IL education, there will be materials and posts. Please stay tuned via our socials.

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