White paper drafted under the European Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 for FFG H8BH7VR5W

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH 2HBR Lange Reihe 73, 20099 Hamburg https://xbrl.org/2024/iso3166#DE HH 2018-12-03 39120077M9TG0O1FE242 HRB 154488 030 true true https://xbrl.org/2024/iso3166#VA https://xbrl.org/2024/iso3166#VA 1970-01-01 Changpeng Zhao https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#OtherPersonInvolvedInImplementation https://xbrl.org/2024/iso3166#VA YZi Labs https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#OtherPersonInvolvedInImplementation https://xbrl.org/2024/iso3166#VA false https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#AdmissionToTrading 8000000000 PGSL The crypto-asset described in the white paper is classified as a crypto-asset under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) but is neither classified as an electronic money token (EMT) or an asset-referenced token (ART). It is a digital representation of value that can be stored and transferred using distributed ledger technology (DLT) or similar technology, without embodying or conferring any rights to its holder. The asset does not aim to maintain a stable value by referencing an official currency, a basket of assets, or any other underlying rights. Instead, its valuation is entirely market-driven, based on supply and demand dynamics, and not governed by a stabilisation mechanism. It is neither pegged to any fiat currency nor backed by any external assets, thereby clearly distinguishing it from EMTs and ARTs. Furthermore, the crypto-asset is not categorised as a financial instrument, deposit, insurance product, pension product, or any other regulated financial product under EU law. It does not grant financial rights, voting rights, or any contractual claims to its holders, ensuring that it remains outside the scope of regulatory frameworks applicable to traditional financial instruments. https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#OtherCryptoassetWhitePaper https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#NewTypeOfSubmission false true true https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#GermanyMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#AustriaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#BelgiumMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#BulgariaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#CroatiaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#CyprusMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#CzechiaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#DenmarkMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#EstoniaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#FinlandMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#FranceMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#GreeceMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#HungaryMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#IcelandMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#IrelandMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#ItalyMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#LatviaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#LiechtensteinMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#LithuaniaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#LuxembourgMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#MaltaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#NetherlandsMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#NorwayMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#PolandMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#PortugalMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#RomaniaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#SlovakiaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#SloveniaMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#SpainMemberState https://www.esma.europa.eu/taxonomy/2025-03-31/mica/#SwedenMemberState 3720000000 false true false false false false false 317.65750 37.9292932021 0.00001 0.00000 0.10550 0.00000 39120077M9TG0O1FE242 2025-12-29 2026-01-12 39120077M9TG0O1FE242 2025-12-29 2026-01-12 0 39120077M9TG0O1FE242 2026-01-12 39120077M9TG0O1FE242 2025-12-29 2026-01-12 0 39120077M9TG0O1FE242 2025-12-29 2026-01-12 1 39120077M9TG0O1FE242 2025-12-29 2026-01-12 0 iso4217:EUR utr:kWh utr:tCO2e xbrli:pure

Preamble

00. Table of Content

  1. Preamble
  2. Part A – Information about the offeror or the person seeking admission to trading
  3. Part B – Information about the issuer, if different from the offeror or person seeking admission to trading
  4. Part C – Information about the operator of the trading platform in cases where it draws up the crypto-asset white paper and information about other persons drawing the crypto-asset white paper pursuant to Article 6(1), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114
  5. Part D – Information about the crypto-asset project
  6. Part E – Information about the offer to the public of crypto-assets or their admission to trading
  7. Part F – Information about the crypto-assets
  8. Part G – Information on the rights and obligations attached to the crypto-assets
  9. Part H – information on the underlying technology
  10. Part I – Information on risks
  11. Part J – Information on the sustainability indicators in relation to adverse impact on the climate and other environment-related adverse impacts

01. Date of notification

2026-01-09

02. Statement in accordance with Article 6(3) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

This crypto-asset white paper has not been approved by any competent authority in any Member State of the European Union. The person seeking admission to trading of the crypto-asset is solely responsible for the content of this crypto-asset white paper.

03. Compliance statement in accordance with Article 6(6) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

This crypto-asset white paper complies with Title II of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council and, to the best of the knowledge of the management body, the information presented in the crypto-asset white paper is fair, clear and not misleading and the crypto-asset white paper makes no omission likely to affect its import.

04. Statement in accordance with Article 6(5), points (a), (b), (c), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

The crypto-asset referred to in this crypto-asset white paper may lose its value in part or in full, may not always be transferable and may not be liquid.

05. Statement in accordance with Article 6(5), point (d), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

As defined in Article 3(9) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on Markets in Crypto-Assets – amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937 – a utility token is “a type of crypto-asset that is only intended to provide access to a good or a service supplied by its issuer”. This crypto-asset does not qualify as a utility token, as its intended use goes beyond providing access to a good or service supplied solely by the issuer.

06. Statement in accordance with Article 6(5), points (e) and (f), of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

The crypto-asset referred to in this white paper is not covered by the investor compensation schemes under Directive 97/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council or the deposit guarantee schemes under Directive 2014/49/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Summary

07. Warning in accordance with Article 6(7), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

Warning: This summary should be read as an introduction to the crypto-asset white paper. The prospective holder should base any decision to purchase this crypto–asset on the content of the crypto-asset white paper as a whole and not on the summary alone. The offer to the public of this crypto-asset does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase financial instruments and any such offer or solicitation can be made only by means of a prospectus or other offer documents pursuant to the applicable national law. This crypto-asset white paper does not constitute a prospectus as referred to in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council or any other offer document pursuant to Union or national law.

08. Characteristics of the crypto-asset

The crypto-asset Aster (ASTER) referred to in this white paper is a crypto-asset other than EMTs and ARTs, and is issued on the BNB Smart Chain network as of 2026-01-08 and according to DTI FFG shown in F.14. The maximum supply of the crypto-asset is fixed at 8,000,000,000 units.

The first activity on BNB Smart Chain can be viewed on 2025-09-01 (transaction hash: 0x7acf90901f792f0f91f408b6cd4d0c13b2883c9a3205222bbe4012460d4754f1 , source: https://bscscan.com/tx/0x7acf90901f792f0f91f408b6cd4d0c13b2883c9a3205222bbe4012460d4754f1).

The Aster project refers to a decentralised trading infrastructure designed to enable the exchange of digital assets through automated protocols. The system combines functionalities for spot and derivative trading within a non-custodial and on-chain environment.

The crypto-asset does not grant any legally enforceable or contractual rights or obligations to its holders or purchasers. Any functionalities accessible through the underlying technology are purely technical or operational in nature and do not confer rights comparable to ownership, profit participation, governance, or similar entitlements known from traditional financial instruments.

09. Information about the quality and quantity of goods or services to which the utility tokens give access and restrictions on the transferability

As defined in Article 3(9) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on Markets in Crypto-Assets – amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937 – a utility token is “a type of crypto-asset that is only intended to provide access to a good or a service supplied by its issuer”. This crypto-asset does not qualify as a utility token, as its intended use goes beyond providing access to a good or service supplied solely by the issuer.

10. Key information about the offer to the public or admission to trading

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is seeking admission to trading on Payward Global Solutions LTD ("Kraken") platform in the European Union in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on Markets in Crypto-Assets, and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937. The admission to trading is not accompanied by a public offer of the crypto-asset.

Part A – Information about the offeror or the person seeking admission to trading

A.1 Name

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is the person seeking admission to trading.

A.2 Legal form

The legal form of Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is 2HBR, which corresponds to "Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung".

A.3 Registered address

The registered address of Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is Lange Reihe 73, 20099 Hamburg,

Germany,

federal state Hamburg.

A.4 Head office

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH has no head office.

A.5 Registration date

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH was registered on 2018-12-03.

A.6 Legal entity identifier

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) of Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is 39120077M9TG0O1FE242.

A.7 Another identifier required pursuant to applicable national law

The national identifier of Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is HRB 154488.

A.8 Contact telephone number

+4915144974120

A.9 E-mail address

info@crypto-risk-metrics.com

A.10 Response time (Days)

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH will respond to investor enquiries within 30 calendar days.

A.11 Parent company

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH has no parent company.

A.12 Members of the management body

Identity Function Business Address
Tim Zölitz Chairman Lange Reihe 73, 20099 Hamburg, Germany

A.13 Business activity

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is a technical service provider, which supports regulated entities in the fulfilment of their regulatory requirements. In this regard, Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH, among other services, acts as a data-provider for ESG data according to article 66 (5). Due to the regulations laid out in article 4 (7), 5 (4) and 66 (3) of the Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on markets in crypto-assets, and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937, Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH aims to provide central services for crypto-asset white papers.

A.14 Parent company business activity

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH does not have a parent company. Accordingly, no business activity of a parent company is to be reported in this section.

A.15 Newly established

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH has been established since 2018-12-03 and is therefore not newly established (i. e. more than three years).

A.16 Financial condition for the past three years

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH, founded in 2018 and based in Hamburg (HRB 154488), has undergone several strategic shifts in its business focus since incorporation. Due to these changes in business model and operational direction over time, the financial figures from earlier years are only comparable to a limited extent with the company’s current commercial activities. The present business model – centred around regulatory technology and risk analytics in the context of the MiCAR framework – has been established progressively and can be realistically considered fully operational since approximately 2024.

The company’s financial trajectory over the past three years reflects the transition from exploratory development toward market-ready product delivery. The profit and loss after tax for the last three financial years is as follows:

2024 (unaudited): negative EUR 50.891,81

2023 (unaudited): negative EUR 27.665,32

2022: EUR 104.283,00.

The profit in 2022 resulted primarily from legacy consulting activities, which were discontinued in the course of the company’s repositioning.

The losses in 2023 and 2024 result from strategic investments in the development of proprietary software infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and compliance technology for the MiCAR ecosystem. During those periods, no substantial commercial revenues were expected, as resources were directed toward preparing the platform for regulated market entry.

A fundamental repositioning of the company occurred in 2023 and especially in 2024, when the focus shifted toward providing risk management, regulatory reporting, and supervisory compliance solutions for financial institutions and crypto-asset service providers. This marked a material shift in business operations and monetisation strategy.

Based on the current business development in Q4 2025, revenues exceeding EUR 550,000 are expected for the fiscal year 2025, with an anticipated net profit of approximately EUR 100,000. These figures are neither audited nor based on a finalized annual financial statement; they are derived from the company’s current pipeline, client development, and active commercial engagements. Accordingly, they are subject to future risks and market fluctuations.

With the regulatory environment now taking shape and the platform commercially validated, it is assumed that the effects of the strategic developments will continue to materialize in 2026. The company foresees further scalability of its technology and growing market demand for regulatory compliance tools in the European crypto-asset sector.

No public subsidies or governmental grants have been received to date; all operations have been financed through shareholder contributions and internally generated resources. Crypto Risk Metrics has never accepted any payments via Tokens from projects it has worked for and – due to the internal Conflicts of Interest Policy – never will.

A.17 Financial condition since registration

Not applicable. The company has been established for more than three years and its financial condition over the past three years is provided in Part A.16 above.

Part B – Information about the issuer, if different from the offeror or person seeking admission to trading

B.1 Issuer different from offeror or person seeking admission to trading

Yes

B.2 Name

At the time of drafting, no natural or legal person can be definitively identified as the issuer of the crypto-asset. The project does not publicly disclose a formal legal entity responsible for the issuance, governance, or legal obligations related to the ASTER token. As a result, the attribution of issuer responsibility remains uncertain. This absence of a verifiable issuer entity creates an inherent risk regarding the anonymity of the individuals or groups associated with the project and limits the ability to assess accountability under applicable law.

B.3 Legal form

Not applicable.

B4. Registered address

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

B.5 Head office

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

B.6 Registration date

Not applicable.

B.7 Legal entity identifier

Not applicable.

B.8 Another identifier required pursuant to applicable national law

Not applicable.

B.9 Parent company

Not applicable.

B.10 Members of the management body

Identity Function Business Address
Could not be identified Not applicable Not applicable

B.11 Business activity

Not applicable.

B.12 Parent company business activity

Not applicable.

Part C – Information about the operator of the trading platform in cases where it draws up the crypto-asset white paper and information about other persons drawing the crypto-asset white paper pursuant to Article 6(1), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

C.1 Name

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.2 Legal form

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.3 Registered address

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.4 Head office

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.5 Registration date

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.6 Legal entity identifier

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.7 Another identifier required pursuant to applicable national law

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.8 Parent company

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.9 Reason for crypto-Asset white paper Preparation

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.10 Members of the Management body

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.11 Operator business activity

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.12 Parent company business activity

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.13 Other persons drawing up the crypto-asset white paper according to Article 6(1), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

C.14 Reason for drawing the white paper by persons referred to in Article 6(1), second subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114

Not applicable since Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is not a trading platform.

Part D – Information about the crypto-asset project

D.1 Crypto-asset project name

Long Name: "Aster", Short Name: "ASTER" according to the Digital Token Identifier Foundation (www.dtif.org, DTI see F.13, FFG DTI see F.14 as of 2026-01-09).

D.2 Crypto-assets name

Long Name: "Aster" according to the Digital Token Identifier Foundation (www.dtif.org, DTI see F.13, FFG DTI see F.14 as of 2026-01-09).

D.3 Abbreviation

Short Name: "ASTER" according to the Digital Token Identifier Foundation (www.dtif.org, DTI see F.13, FFG DTI see F.14 as of 2026-01-09).

D.4 Crypto-asset project description

The Aster project refers to a decentralised trading infrastructure designed to enable the exchange of digital assets through automated protocols. The system combines functionalities for spot and derivative trading within a non-custodial and on-chain environment.

The project architecture is based on smart contracts deployed across multiple blockchain networks. Its technical concept allows users to interact directly with the protocol without the intermediation of centralised custodians. The platform integrates liquidity-provision mechanisms and staking functionalities intended to support market operations and token utility within the ecosystem.

The crypto-asset associated with the project serves as a token within this environment. It is intended to facilitate access to platform services, to support potential governance participation, and to enable the execution of internal incentive mechanisms defined by the protocol.

At the time of drafting, the project remains under continuous technical development. Specific functional features, governance procedures, and ecosystem parameters may be subject to further adjustments following implementation or subsequent protocol upgrades.

D.5 Details of all natural or legal persons involved in the implementation of the crypto-asset project

Type of person Name of person Business address of person Domicile of company

Other person involved in implementation

Changpeng Zhao

Can not be found

Can not be found

Other person involved in implementation

YZi Labs

Can not be found

Can not be found

D.6 Utility Token Classification

As defined in Article 3(9) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on Markets in Crypto-Assets – amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937 – a utility token is “a type of crypto-asset that is only intended to provide access to a good or a service supplied by its issuer”. This crypto-asset does not qualify as a utility token, as its intended use goes beyond providing access to a good or service supplied solely by the issuer.

D.7 Key Features of Goods/Services for Utility Token Projects

As defined in Article 3(9) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on Markets in Crypto-Assets – amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010 and (EU) No 1095/2010 and Directives 2013/36/EU and (EU) 2019/1937 – a utility token is “a type of crypto-asset that is only intended to provide access to a good or a service supplied by its issuer”. This crypto-asset does not qualify as a utility token, as its intended use goes beyond providing access to a good or service supplied solely by the issuer.

D.8 Plans for the token

This section provides an overview of the historical developments related to the ASTER crypto-asset and a description of planned or anticipated project milestones as publicly communicated. All forward-looking elements are subject to significant uncertainty. They do not constitute commitments, assurances, or guarantees, and may be modified, delayed, or discontinued at any time. The implementation of past milestones cannot be assumed to continue in the future, and future changes may have adverse effects for token holders.

According to publicly available information, the Aster project has completed several initial milestones, including the deployment of its decentralised trading infrastructure, the launch of spot and perpetual trading functionalities, and the integration of liquidity-pool mechanisms within its protocol architecture. These developments constitute the foundation of the AsterDEX platform and establish the operational use of the ASTER token within the ecosystem.

Future milestones:

Further project milestones have included the implementation of cross-chain functionality, allowing interaction with multiple blockchain networks, and the introduction of token-based participation mechanisms such as staking or liquidity provision.

Future plans communicated by the project outline continued technical expansion, including the integration of additional blockchain networks, refinement of governance structures, and gradual enhancement of the protocol’s liquidity and risk-management framework. These measures are intended to strengthen the ecosystem’s operational resilience and user participation.

It should be noted that these milestones and development targets represent indicative plans rather than binding commitments. The realisation of the planned developments depends on the availability of internal resources, market conditions, and the outcome of technical audits or governance processes. Adjustments to the project roadmap may occur without prior notice, which could affect the timing or scope of the token’s intended functionalities.

D.9 Resource allocation

Not applicable – no specific project-level resources beyond the issuer’s general operations as described under D.4 have been identified or disclosed. This limits investors’ ability to assess the funding and staffing dedicated specifically to this project.

D.10 Planned use of Collected funds or crypto-Assets

Not applicable, as this white paper serves the purpose of admission to trading and is not associated with any fundraising activity for the crypto-asset project.

Part E – Information about the offer to the public of crypto-assets or their admission to trading

E.1 Public offering or admission to trading

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH is the person seeking admission to trading.

E.2 Reasons for public offer or admission to trading

The purpose of seeking admission to trading is to enable the crypto-asset to be listed on a regulated platform in accordance with the applicable provisions of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2984. The white paper has been drawn up to comply with the transparency requirements applicable to trading venues.

E.3 Fundraising target

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.4 Minimum subscription goals

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.5 Maximum subscription goals

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.6 Oversubscription acceptance

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.7 Oversubscription allocation

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.8 Issue price

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.9 Official currency or any other crypto-assets determining the issue price

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.10 Subscription fee

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.11 Offer price determination method

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.12 Total number of offered/traded crypto-assets

The total supply of the crypto-asset is, according to the the crypto-asset project https://docs.asterdex.com/usdaster/overview, accessed 2025-10-29) set at 8,000,000,000 units. Investors should note that changes in the token supply can have a negative impact. The effective amount of tokens available on the market depends on the number of tokens released by the issuer or other parties at any given time, as well as potential reductions through token “burning.” As a result, the circulating supply may differ from the total supply.

E.13 Targeted holders

The admission of the crypto-asset to trading is open to all types of investors.

E.14 Holder restrictions

Holder restrictions are subject to the rules applicable to the crypto-asset service provider, as well as to any additional restrictions such provider may impose.

E.15 Reimbursement notice

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.16 Refund mechanism

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.17 Refund timeline

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.18 Offer phases

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.19 Early purchase discount

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.20 Time-limited offer

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.21 Subscription period beginning

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.22 Subscription period end

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.23 Safeguarding arrangements for offered funds/crypto- Assets

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.24 Payment methods for crypto-asset purchase

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.25 Value transfer methods for reimbursement

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.26 Right of withdrawal

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.27 Transfer of purchased crypto-assets

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.28 Transfer time schedule

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.29 Purchaser's technical requirements

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.30 Crypto-asset service provider (CASP) name

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.31 CASP identifier

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.32 Placement form

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.33 Trading platforms name

The admission to trading is sought on Payward Global Solutions LTD ("Kraken").

E.34 Trading platforms Market identifier code (MIC)

The Market Identifier Code (MIC) of Payward Global Solutions LTD ("Kraken") is PGSL.

E.35 Trading platforms access

The token is intended to be listed on the trading platform operated by Payward Global Solutions LTD ("Kraken"). Access to this platform depends on regional availability and user eligibility under Kraken’s terms and conditions. Investors should consult Kraken’s official documentation to determine whether they meet the requirements for account creation and token trading.

E.36 Involved costs

The costs involved in accessing the trading platform depend on the specific fee structure and terms of the respective crypto-asset service provider. These may include trading fees, deposit or withdrawal charges, and network-related gas fees. Investors are advised to consult the applicable fee schedule of the chosen platform before engaging in trading activities.

E.37 Offer expenses

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.38 Conflicts of interest

MiCAR-compliant crypto-asset service providers shall have strong measures in place in order to manage conflicts of interests. Due to the broad audience this white paper is addressing, potential investors should always check the conflicts-of-interest policy of their respective counterparty.

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH has established, implemented, and documented comprehensive internal policies and procedures for the identification, prevention, management, and documentation of conflicts of interest in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. These internal measures are actively applied within the organisation. For the purposes of this specific assessment and the crypto-asset covered by this white paper, a token-specific review has been conducted by Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH. Based on this individual review, no conflicts of interest relevant to this crypto-asset have been identified at the time of preparation of this white paper.

E.39 Applicable law

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

E.40 Competent court

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

Part F – Information about the crypto-assets

F.1 Crypto-asset type

The crypto-asset described in the white paper is classified as a crypto-asset under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) but does not qualify as an electronic money token (EMT) or an asset-referenced token (ART). It is a digital representation of value that can be stored and transferred using distributed ledger technology (DLT) or similar technology, without embodying or conferring any rights to its holder. The asset does not aim to maintain a stable value by referencing an official currency, a basket of assets, or any other underlying rights. Instead, its valuation is entirely market-driven, based on supply and demand dynamics, and not supported by a stabilization mechanism. It is neither pegged to any fiat currency nor backed by any external assets, distinguishing it clearly from EMTs and ARTs. Furthermore, the crypto-asset is not categorized as a financial instrument, deposit, insurance product, pension product, or any other regulated financial product under EU law. It does not grant financial rights, voting rights, or any contractual claims to its holders, ensuring that it remains outside the scope of regulatory frameworks applicable to traditional financial instruments.

F.2 Crypto-asset functionality

The crypto-asset associated with the Aster project functions primarily as an instrument within the decentralised trading protocol. It is intended to enable access to and interaction with specific services and features provided by the protocol.

In particular, the token may be used for transaction fee payments within the system, for participation in governance procedures where such mechanisms are implemented, and for staking or liquidity-provision activities designed to support the operation of the trading infrastructure.

The crypto-asset does not represent ownership, debt, or profit-participation rights and does not constitute a claim against any identifiable issuer or entity. Its role is limited to technical and operational functions within the Aster ecosystem as defined by the respective smart-contract architecture.

At the current stage, the precise scope of functions and participation mechanisms remains subject to ongoing technical development and governance implementation.

F.3 Planned application of functionalities

Further project milestones have included the implementation of cross-chain functionality, allowing interaction with multiple blockchain networks, and the introduction of token-based participation mechanisms such as staking or liquidity provision.

Future plans communicated by the project outline continued technical expansion, including the integration of additional blockchain networks, refinement of governance structures, and gradual enhancement of the protocol’s liquidity and risk-management framework. These measures are intended to strengthen the ecosystem’s operational resilience and user participation.

It should be noted that these milestones and development targets represent indicative plans rather than binding commitments. The realisation of the planned developments depends on the availability of internal resources, market conditions, and the outcome of technical audits or governance processes. Adjustments to the project roadmap may occur without prior notice, which could affect the timing or scope of the token’s intended functionalities.

A description of the characteristics of the crypto asset, including the data necessary for classification of the crypto-asset white paper in the register referred to in Article 109 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114, as specified in accordance with paragraph 8 of that Article

F.4 Type of crypto-asset white paper

The white paper type is "Other crypto-assets" (i. e. OTHR).

F.5 The type of submission

The type of submission is NEWT (New white paper).

F.6 Crypto-asset characteristics

The crypto-asset referred to herein is a crypto-asset other than EMTs and ARTs, and is available on the BNB Smart Chain network. The crypto-asset is fungible up to 18 digits after the decimal point. The crypto-asset constitutes a digital representation recorded on distributed-ledger technology and does not confer ownership, governance, profit participation, or any other legally enforceable rights. Any functionalities associated with the token are limited to potential technical features within the relevant platform environment. These functionalities do not represent contractual entitlements and may depend on future development decisions, technical design choices, and operational conditions. The crypto-asset does not embody intrinsic economic value; instead, its value, if any, is determined exclusively by market dynamics such as supply, demand, and liquidity in secondary markets.

F.7 Commercial name or trading name

Long Name: "Aster" according to the Digital Token Identifier Foundation (www.dtif.org, DTI see F.13, FFG DTI see F.14 as of 2026-01-09).

F.8 Website of the issuer

No formal issuer can be identified for the crypto-asset. Further information regarding the crypto-asset project is available at: https://www.asterdex.com/en .

F.9 Starting date of offer to the public or admission to trading

2026-02-09

F.10 Publication date

2026-02-09

F.11 Any other services provided by the issuer

It is not possible to exclude a possibility that the issuer of the token provides or will provide other services not covered by Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (i.e. MiCAR).

F.12 Language or languages of the crypto-asset white paper

EN

F.13 Digital token identifier code used to uniquely identify the crypto-asset or each of the several crypto assets to which the white paper relates

1WQ8SGRXX

F.14 Functionally fungible group digital token identifier

H8BH7VR5W

F.15 Voluntary data flag

This white paper has been submitted as mandatory under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.

F.16 Personal data flag

Yes, this white paper contains personal data as defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).

F.17 LEI eligibility

The issuer should be eligible for a Legal Entity Identifier.

F.18 Home Member State

Germany

F.19 Host Member States

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Part G – Information on the rights and obligations attached to the crypto-assets

G.1 Purchaser rights and obligations

The crypto-asset does not grant any legally enforceable or contractual rights or obligations to its holders or purchasers.

Any functionalities accessible through the underlying technology are of a purely technical or operational nature and do not constitute rights comparable to ownership, profit participation, governance, or similar entitlements known from traditional financial instruments.

Accordingly, holders do not acquire any claim capable of legal enforcement against the issuer or any third party.

G.2 Exercise of rights and obligations

As the crypto-asset does not establish any legally enforceable rights or obligations, there are no applicable procedures or conditions for their exercise.

Any interaction or functionality that may be available within the technical infrastructure of the project – such as participation mechanisms or protocol-level features – serves operational purposes only and does not create or constitute evidence of any contractual or statutory entitlement.

G.3 Conditions for modifications of rights and obligations

As the crypto-asset does not confer any legally enforceable rights or obligations, there are no conditions or mechanisms under which such rights could be modified.

Adjustments to the technical protocol, smart contract logic, or related systems may occur in the ordinary course of development or maintenance.

Such changes do not alter the legal position of holders, as no contractual or regulatory rights exist. Holders should not interpret technical updates or governance-related changes as amendments to legally binding entitlements.

G.4 Future public offers

Information on the future offers to the public of crypto-assets were not available at the time of writing this white paper (2026-01-08).

G.5 Issuer retained crypto-assets

According to publicly available information from the official AsterDEX documentation (https://docs.asterdex.com/usdaster/tokenomics, accessed 2025-11-02) the total token supply of the ASTER token is 8 billion ASTER.

The documentation states that this supply is allocated among several functional categories intended to support the project’s ecosystem, development and early-stage participants. Specifically:

- 53.5% of the total supply is allocated to “Airdrops” (community distribution)

- 30% is allocated to “Ecosystem & Community” to drive the development and growth of the ecosystem

- 7% is allocated to the “Treasury” for protocol reserves

- 5% is allocated to the “Team” (locked / reserved for contributors)

- 4.5% is allocated to “Liquidity & Listing” purposes (market-making, early exchange listings).

While these categories outline the intended resource allocation within the ASTER ecosystem, the documentation does not provide in full public detail a binding vesting schedule (or fully detailed release timeline) for each category beyond the published allocation percentages. As a result, the effective timing and availability of tokens from each category may vary depending on implementation or future protocol decisions.

It should be noted that the disclosed figures represent indicative allocations at the time of publication and may be subject to discretionary adjustments by the project’s governing entities or token-issuer mechanism. Any material changes to these allocations or to the release schedule could influence the token’s supply structure, liquidity and concentration risk over time.

Based on the publicly available allocation structure, approximately 7% of the total token supply, corresponding to the “Treasury” category, can be regarded as issuer-retained assets in a narrow sense, as these tokens remain under the direct control or discretion of the project’s reserve management. However, additional allocations - including those attributed to “Team,” “Ecosystem & Community,” and “Liquidity & Listing” - may also remain, at least temporarily, under the influence of entities associated with the project due to internal governance arrangements or vesting schedules.

Given that the documentation does not specify detailed vesting or release conditions for all categories, the effective extent of issuer-retained or controlled assets cannot be precisely determined at this stage and may vary depending on the eventual implementation of internal distribution policies.

The current token distribution can be traced on-chain via the BNB Smart Chain network at:

https://bscscan.com/token/0x000Ae314E2A2172a039B26378814C252734f556A#balances.

Investors and users should be aware that token distribution data alone does not identify the actual concentration of holdings or the identities of token-holders associated with each allocation. Blockchain addresses do not necessarily correspond to identifiable persons or entities, which limits the ability to assess the economic influence of specific token-holders. Consequently, risks of high concentration or rapid redistribution cannot be excluded and may affect governance dynamics or value stability in the future.

G.6 Utility token classification

No – the crypto-asset project does not concern utility tokens as defined in Article 3(9) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1114.

G.7 Key features of goods/services of utility tokens

Not applicable, as the crypto-asset described herein is not a utility token.

G.8 Utility tokens redemption

Not applicable, as the crypto-asset described herein is not a utility token.

G.9 Non-trading request

The admission to trading is sought.

G.10 Crypto-assets purchase or sale modalities

Not applicable, as this white paper is written to seek admission to trading, not for the initial offer to the public.

G.11 Crypto-assets transfer restrictions

The crypto-assets themselves are not subject to any technical or contractual transfer restrictions and are generally freely transferable. However, crypto-asset service providers may impose restrictions on buyers or sellers in accordance with applicable laws, internal policies or contractual terms agreed with their clients.

G.12 Supply adjustment protocols

No – there are no fixed protocols that can increase or decrease the supply of the crypto-asset in response to changes in demand as of 2026-01-03.

However, it is possible to decrease the circulating supply by transferring crypto-assets to so-called "burn addresses". These are addresses from which the tokens are no longer intended to be transferred or accessed, effectively removing them from circulation.

G.13 Supply adjustment mechanisms

For the crypto-asset in scope, the supply is limited to 8,000,000,000 tokens according to the crypto-asset project (https://docs.asterdex.com/usdaster/overview, accessed 2025-10-29). Investors should note that changes in the token supply can have a negative impact.

G.14 Token value protection schemes

No – the crypto-asset does not have any mechanisms or schemes in place that aim to stabilise or protect its market value. Its value is determined solely by market supply and demand, and may be subject to significant volatility.

G.15 Token value protection schemes description

Not applicable, as the crypto-asset in scope does not have any value protection scheme in place.

G.16 Compensation schemes

No – the crypto-asset does not have any compensation scheme.

G.17 Compensation schemes description

Not applicable, as the crypto-asset in scope does not have any compensation scheme in place.

G.18 Applicable law

This white paper is submitted in the context of an application for admission to trading on a trading platform established in the European Union. Accordingly, this white paper shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

G.19 Competent court

Any disputes arising in relation to this white paper or the admission to trading may fall under the jurisdiction of of the competent courts in Hamburg, Germany.

Part H – information on the underlying technology

H.1 Distributed ledger technology (DTL)

The crypto-asset in scope is implemented on the BNB Smart Chain network following the standards described below.

H.2 Protocols and technical standards

The crypto-asset in scope is implemented on the BNB Smart Chain network following the standards described below.

The following applies to BNB Smart Chain:

Binance Smart Chain (BSC) is a Layer-1 blockchain that utilizes a Proof-of-Staked Authority (PoSA) consensus mechanism. This mechanism combines elements of Proof-of-Authority (PoA) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) and is intended to secure the network and validate transactions. In PoSA, validators are selected based on their stake and authority, with the goal of providing fast transaction times and low fees while maintaining network security through staking.

H.3 Technology used

The crypto-asset in scope is implemented on the BNB Smart Chain network following the standards described below.

The following applies to BNB Smart Chain:

1. BSC-Compatible Wallets

Tokens on BSC are supported by wallets compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), such as MetaMask. These wallets can be configured to connect to the BSC network and are designed to interact with BSC using standard Web3 interfaces.

2. Ledger

BSC maintains its own decentralized ledger for recording token transactions. This ledger is intended to ensure transparency and security, providing a verifiable record of all activities on the network.

3. BEP-20 Token Standard

BSC supports tokens implemented under the BEP-20 standard, which is tailored for the BSC ecosystem. This standard is designed to facilitate the creation and management of tokens on the network.

4. Scalability and Transaction Efficiency

BSC is designed to handle high volumes of transactions with low fees. It leverages its PoSA consensus mechanism to achieve fast transaction times and efficient network performance, making it suitable for applications requiring high throughput.

H.4 Consensus mechanism

The crypto-asset in scope is implemented on the BNB Smart Chain network following the standards described below.

The following applies to BNB Smart Chain:

Binance Smart Chain (BSC) uses a hybrid consensus mechanism called Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA), which combines elements of Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) and Proof of Authority (PoA). This method ensures fast block times and low fees while maintaining a level of decentralization and security. Core Components 1. Validators (so-called “Cabinet Members”): Validators on BSC are responsible for producing new blocks, validating transactions, and maintaining the network’s security. To become a validator, an entity must stake a significant amount of BNB (Binance Coin). Validators are selected through staking and voting by token holders. There are 21 active validators at any given time, rotating to ensure decentralization and security. 2. Delegators: Token holders who do not wish to run validator nodes can delegate their BNB tokens to validators. This delegation helps validators increase their stake and improves their chances of being selected to produce blocks. Delegators earn a share of the rewards that validators receive, incentivizing broad participation in network security. 3. Candidates: Candidates are nodes that have staked the required amount of BNB and are in the pool waiting to become validators. They are essentially potential validators who are not currently active but can be elected to the validator set through community voting. Candidates play a crucial role in ensuring there is always a sufficient pool of nodes ready to take on validation tasks, thus maintaining network resilience and decentralization. Consensus Process 4. Validator Selection: Validators are chosen based on the amount of BNB staked and votes received from delegators. The more BNB staked and votes received, the higher the chance of being selected to validate transactions and produce new blocks. The selection process involves both the current validators and the pool of candidates, ensuring a dynamic and secure rotation of nodes. 5. Block Production: The selected validators take turns producing blocks in a PoA-like manner, ensuring that blocks are generated quickly and efficiently. Validators validate transactions, add them to new blocks, and broadcast these blocks to the network. 6. Transaction Finality: BSC achieves fast block times of around 3 seconds and quick transaction finality. This is achieved through the efficient PoSA mechanism that allows validators to rapidly reach consensus. Security and Economic Incentives 7. Staking: Validators are required to stake a substantial amount of BNB, which acts as collateral to ensure their honest behavior. This staked amount can be slashed if validators act maliciously. Staking incentivizes validators to act in the network's best interest to avoid losing their staked BNB. 8. Delegation and Rewards: Delegators earn rewards proportional to their stake in validators. This incentivizes them to choose reliable validators and participate in the network’s security. Validators and delegators share transaction fees as rewards, which provides continuous economic incentives to maintain network security and performance. 9. Transaction Fees: BSC employs low transaction fees, paid in BNB, making it cost-effective for users. These fees are collected by validators as part of their rewards, further incentivizing them to validate transactions accurately and efficiently.

H.5 Incentive mechanisms and applicable fees

The crypto-asset in scope is implemented on the BNB Smart Chain network following the standards described below.

The following applies to BNB Smart Chain:

Binance Smart Chain (BSC) uses the Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA) consensus mechanism to ensure network security and incentivize participation from validators and delegators. Incentive Mechanisms 1. Validators: Staking Rewards: Validators must stake a significant amount of BNB to participate in the consensus process. They earn rewards in the form of transaction fees and block rewards. Selection Process: Validators are selected based on the amount of BNB staked and the votes received from delegators. The more BNB staked and votes received, the higher the chances of being selected to validate transactions and produce new blocks. 2. Delegators: Delegated Staking: Token holders can delegate their BNB to validators. This delegation increases the validator's total stake and improves their chances of being selected to produce blocks. Shared Rewards: Delegators earn a portion of the rewards that validators receive. This incentivizes token holders to participate in the network’s security and decentralization by choosing reliable validators. 3. Candidates: Pool of Potential Validators: Candidates are nodes that have staked the required amount of BNB and are waiting to become active validators. They ensure that there is always a sufficient pool of nodes ready to take on validation tasks, maintaining network resilience. 4. Economic Security: Slashing: Validators can be penalized for malicious behavior or failure to perform their duties. Penalties include slashing a portion of their staked tokens, ensuring that validators act in the best interest of the network. Opportunity Cost: Staking requires validators and delegators to lock up their BNB tokens, providing an economic incentive to act honestly to avoid losing their staked assets. Fees on the Binance Smart Chain 5. Transaction Fees: Low Fees: BSC is known for its low transaction fees compared to other blockchain networks. These fees are paid in BNB and are essential for maintaining network operations and compensating validators. Dynamic Fee Structure: Transaction fees can vary based on network congestion and the complexity of the transactions. However, BSC ensures that fees remain significantly lower than those on the Ethereum mainnet. 6. Block Rewards: Incentivizing Validators: Validators earn block rewards in addition to transaction fees. These rewards are distributed to validators for their role in maintaining the network and processing transactions. 7. Cross-Chain Fees: Interoperability Costs: BSC supports cross-chain compatibility, allowing assets to be transferred between Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain. These cross-chain operations incur minimal fees, facilitating seamless asset transfers and improving user experience. 8. Smart Contract Fees: Deployment and Execution Costs: Deploying and interacting with smart contracts on BSC involves paying fees based on the computational resources required. These fees are also paid in BNB and are designed to be cost-effective, encouraging developers to build on the BSC platform.

H.6 Use of distributed ledger technology

No, DLT not operated by the issuer, offeror, a person seeking admission to trading or a third-party acting on the issuer’s their behalf.

H.7 DLT functionality description

Not applicable, as the DLT is not operated by the issuer, the offeror, the person seeking admission to trading, or any third-party acting on their behalf.

H.8 Audit

As the term “technology” encompasses a broad range of components, it cannot be confirmed that all elements or aspects of the technology employed have undergone a comprehensive and systematic technical examination. Accordingly, the answer to whether an audit of the technology used has been conducted must be no. This white paper focuses primarily on risk-related aspects and therefore does not imply, nor should it be interpreted as implying, that a full assessment or audit of all technological elements has been conducted.

H.9 Audit outcome

Not applicable, as no comprehensive audit of the technology used has been conducted or can be confirmed.

Part I – Information on risks

I.1 Offer-related risks

1. Regulatory and Compliance

Regulatory frameworks applicable to crypto-asset services in the European Union and in third countries are evolving. Supervisory authorities may introduce, interpret, or enforce rules that affect (i) the eligibility of this crypto-asset for admission to trading, (ii) the conditions under which a crypto-asset service provider may offer trading, custody, or transfer services for it, or (iii) the persons or jurisdictions to which such services may be provided. As a result, the crypto-asset service provider admitting this crypto-asset to trading may be required to suspend, restrict, or terminate trading or withdrawals for regulatory reasons, even if the crypto-asset itself continues to function on its underlying network.

2. Trading venue and connection risk

Trading in the crypto-asset depends on the uninterrupted operation of the trading platform admitting it and, where applicable, on its technical connections to external liquidity sources or venues. Interruptions such as system downtime, maintenance, faulty integrations, API changes, or failures at an external venue can temporarily prevent order placement, execution, deposits, or withdrawals, even when the underlying blockchain is functioning. In addition, trading platforms in emerging markets may operate under differing governance, compliance, and oversight standards, which can increase the risk of operational failures or disorderly market conditions.

3. Market formation and liquidity conditions

The price and tradability of the crypto-asset depend on actual trading activity on the venues to which the service provider is connected, whether centralized exchanges (CEXs) or decentralized exchanges (DEXs). Trading volumes may at times be low, order books thin, or liquidity concentrated on a single venue. In such conditions, buy or sell orders may not be executed in full or may be executed only at a less favorable price, resulting in slippage.

Volatility: The market price of the crypto-asset may fluctuate significantly over short periods, including for reasons that are not linked to changes in the underlying project or protocol. Periods of limited liquidity, shifts in overall market sentiment, or trading on only a small number of CEXs or DEXs can amplify these movements and lead to higher slippage when orders are executed. As a result, investors may be unable to sell the crypto-asset at or close to a previously observed price, even though no negative project-specific event has occurred.

4. Counterparty and service-provider dependence

The admission of the crypto-asset to trading may rely on several external parties, such as connected centralized or decentralized trading venues, liquidity providers, brokers, custodians, or technical integrators. If any of these counterparties fail to perform, suspend their services, or apply internal restrictions, the trading, deposit, or withdrawal of the crypto-asset on the admitting service provider can be interrupted or halted.

Quality of counterparties: Trading venues and service providers in certain jurisdictions may operate under regulatory or supervisory standards that are lower or differently enforced than those applicable in the European Union. In such environments, deficiencies in governance, risk management, or compliance may remain undetected, which increases the probability of abrupt service interruptions, investigations, or forced wind-downs.

Delisting and service suspension: The crypto-asset’s availability may depend on the internal listing decisions of these counterparties. A delisting or suspension on a key connected venue can materially reduce liquidity or make trading temporarily impossible on the admitting service provider, even if the underlying crypto-asset continues to function.

Insolvency of counterparties: If a counterparty involved in holding, routing, or settling the crypto-asset becomes insolvent, enters restructuring, or is otherwise subject to resolution-type measures, assets held or processed by that counterparty may be frozen, become temporarily unavailable, or be recoverable only in part or not at all, which can result in losses for clients whose positions were maintained through that counterparty. This risk applies in particular where client assets are held on an omnibus basis or where segregation is not fully recognized in the counterparty’s jurisdiction.

5. Operational and information risks

Due to the irrevocability of blockchain transactions, incorrect approvals or the use of wrong networks or addresses will typically make the transferred funds irrecoverable. Because trading may also rely on technical connections to other venues or service providers, downtime or faulty code in these connections can temporarily block trading, deposits, or withdrawals even when the underlying blockchain is functioning. In addition, different groups of market participants may have unequal access to technical, governance, or project-related information, which can lead to information asymmetry and place less informed investors at a disadvantage when making trading decisions.

6. Market access and liquidity concentration risk

If the crypto-asset is only available on a limited number of trading platforms or through a single market-making entity, this may result in reduced liquidity, greater price volatility, or periods of inaccessibility for retail holders.

I.2 Issuer-related risks

1. Insolvency of the issuer

As with any commercial entity, the issuer may face insolvency risks. These may result from insufficient funding, low market interest, mismanagement, or external shocks (e.g. pandemics, wars). In such a case, ongoing development, support, and governance of the project may cease, potentially affecting the viability and tradability of the crypto-asset.

2. Legal and regulatory risks

The issuer operates in a dynamic and evolving regulatory environment. Failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations in relevant jurisdictions may result in enforcement actions, penalties, or restrictions on the project’s operations. These may negatively impact the crypto-asset’s availability, market acceptance, or legal status.

3. Operational risks

The issuer may fail to implement adequate internal controls, risk management, or governance processes. This can result in operational disruptions, financial losses, delays in updating the white paper, or reputational damage.

4. Governance and decision-making

The issuer’s management body is responsible for key strategic, operational, and disclosure decisions. Ineffective governance, delays in decision-making, or lack of resources may compromise the stability of the project and its compliance with MiCA requirements. High concentration of decision-making authority or changes in ownership/control can amplify these risks.

5. Reputational risks

The issuer’s reputation may be harmed by internal failures, external accusations, or association with illicit activity. Negative publicity can reduce trust in the issuer and impact the perceived legitimacy or value of the crypto-asset.

6. Counterparty dependence

The issuer may depend on third-party providers for certain core functions, such as technology development, marketing, legal advice, or infrastructure. If these partners discontinue their services, change ownership, or underperform, the issuer’s ability to operate the project or maintain investor communication may be impaired. This could disrupt project continuity or undermine market confidence, ultimately affecting the crypto-asset’s value.

I.3 Crypto-assets-related risks

1. Valuation risk

The crypto-asset does not represent a claim, nor is it backed by physical assets or legal entitlements. Its market value is driven solely by supply and demand dynamics and may fluctuate significantly. In the absence of fundamental value anchors, such assets can lose their entire market value within a very short time. Historical market behaviour has shown that some types of crypto-assets – such as meme coins or purely speculative tokens – have become worthless. Investors should be aware that this crypto-asset may lose all of its value.

2. Market volatility risk

Crypto-asset prices can fluctuate sharply due to changes in market sentiment, macroeconomic conditions, regulatory developments, or technology trends. Such volatility may result in rapid and significant losses. Holders should be prepared for the possibility of losing the full amount invested.

3. Liquidity and price-determination risk

Low trading volumes, fragmented trading across venues, or the absence of active market makers can restrict the ability to buy or sell the crypto-asset. In such situations, it is not guaranteed that an observable market price will exist at all times. Spreads may widen materially, and orders may only be executable under unfavourable conditions, which can make liquidation costly or temporarily impossible.

4. Asset security risk

Loss or theft of private keys, unauthorised access to wallets, or failures of custodial or exchange service providers can result in the irreversible loss of assets. Because blockchain transactions are final, recovery of funds after a compromise is generally impossible.

5. Fraud and scam risk

The pseudonymous and irreversible nature of blockchain transactions can attract fraudulent schemes. Typical forms include fake or unauthorised crypto-assets imitating established ones, phishing attempts, deceptive airdrops, or social-engineering attacks. Investors should exercise caution and verify the authenticity of counterparties and information sources.

6. Legal and regulatory reclassification risk

Legislative or regulatory changes in the European Union or in the Member State where the crypto-asset is admitted to trading may alter its legal classification, permitted uses, or tradability. In third countries, the crypto-asset may be treated as a financial instrument or security, which can restrict its offering, trading, or custody.

7. Absence of investor protection

The crypto-asset is not covered by investor-compensation or deposit-guarantee schemes. In the event of loss, fraud, or insolvency of a service provider, holders may have no access to recourse mechanisms typically available in regulated financial markets.

8. Counterparty risk

Reliance on third-party exchanges, custodians, or intermediaries exposes holders to operational failures, insolvency, or fraud of these parties. Investors should conduct due diligence on service providers, as their failure may lead to the partial or total loss of held assets.

9. Reputational risk

Negative publicity related to security incidents, misuse of blockchain technology, or associations with illicit activity can damage public confidence and reduce the crypto-asset’s market value.

10. Community and sentiment risk

Because the crypto-asset’s perceived relevance and expected future use depend largely on community engagement and the prevailing sentiment, a loss of public interest, negative coverage or reduced activity of key contributors can materially reduce market demand.

11. Macroeconomic and interest-rate risk

Fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates, general market conditions, or overall market volatility can influence investor sentiment towards digital assets and affect the crypto-asset’s market value.

12. Taxation risk

Tax treatment varies across jurisdictions. Holders are individually responsible for complying with all applicable tax laws, including the reporting and payment of taxes arising from the acquisition, holding, or disposal of the crypto-asset.

13. Anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing risk

Wallet addresses or transactions connected to the crypto-asset may be linked to sanctioned or illicit activity. Regulatory responses to such findings may include transfer restrictions, report obligations, or the freezing of assets on certain venues.

14. Market-abuse risk

Due to limited oversight and transparency, crypto-assets may be vulnerable to market-abuse practices such as spoofing, pump-and-dump schemes, or insider trading. Such activities can distort prices and expose holders to sudden losses.

15. Legal ownership and jurisdictional risk

Depending on the applicable law, holders of the crypto-asset may not have enforceable ownership rights or effective legal remedies in cases of disputes, fraud, or service failure. In certain jurisdictions, access to exchanges or interfaces may be restricted by regulatory measures, even if on-chain transfer remains technically possible.

16. Concentration risk

A large proportion of the total supply may be held by a small number of holders. This can enable market manipulation, governance dominance, or sudden large-scale liquidations that adversely affect market stability, price levels, and investor confidence.

I.4 Project implementation-related risks

As this white paper relates to the admission to trading of the crypto-asset, the following risk description reflects general implementation risks on the crypto-asset service provider's side typically associated with crypto-asset projects. The party admitting the asset to trading is not involved in the project’s implementation and does not assume responsibility for its governance, funding, or execution.

Delays, failures, or changes in the implementation of the project as outlined in its public roadmap or technical documentation may negatively impact the perceived credibility or usability of the crypto-asset. This includes risks related to project governance, resource allocation, technical delivery, and team continuity.

Key-person risk: The project may rely on a limited number of individuals for development, maintenance, or strategic direction. The departure, incapacity, or misalignment of these individuals may delay or derail the implementation.

Timeline and milestone risk: Project milestones may not be met as announced. Delays in feature releases, protocol upgrades, or external integrations can undermine market confidence and affect the adoption, use, or value of the crypto-asset.

Delivery risk: Even if implemented on time, certain functionalities or integrations may not perform as intended or may be scaled back during execution, limiting the token’s practical utility.

I.5 Technology-related risks

As this white paper relates to the admission to trading of the crypto-asset, the following risks concern the underlying distributed ledger technology (DLT), its supporting infrastructure, and related technical dependencies. Failures or vulnerabilities in these systems may affect the availability, integrity, or transferability of the crypto-asset.

1. Blockchain dependency risk

The functionality of the crypto-asset depends on the continuous and stable operation of the blockchain(s) on which it is issued. Network congestion, outages, or protocol errors may temporarily or permanently disrupt on-chain transactions. Extended downtime or degradation in network performance can affect trading, settlement, or usability of the crypto-asset.

2. Smart contract vulnerability risk

The smart contract that defines the crypto-asset’s parameters or governs its transfers may contain coding errors or security vulnerabilities. Exploitation of such weaknesses can result in unintended token minting, permanent loss of funds, or disruption of token functionality. Even after external audits, undetected vulnerabilities may persist due to the immutable nature of deployed code.

3. Wallet and key-management risk

The custody of crypto-assets relies on secure private key management. Loss, theft, or compromise of private keys results in irreversible loss of access. Custodians, trading venues, or wallet providers may be targeted by cyberattacks. Compatibility issues between wallet software and changes to the blockchain protocol (e.g. network upgrades) can further limit user access or the ability to transfer the crypto-asset.

Outdated or vulnerable wallet software:

Users relying on outdated, unaudited, or unsupported wallet software may face compatibility issues, security vulnerabilities, or failures when interacting with the blockchain. Failure to update wallet software in line with protocol developments can result in transaction errors, loss of access, or exposure to known exploits.

4. Network security risks

Attack Risks: Blockchains may be subject to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, 51% attacks, or other exploits targeting the consensus mechanism. These can delay transactions, compromise finality, or disrupt the accurate recording of transfers.

Centralization Concerns: Despite claims of decentralisation, a relatively small number of validators or a high concentration of stake may increase the risk of collusion, censorship, or coordinated network downtime, which can affect the resilience and operational reliability of the crypto-asset.

5. Bridge and interoperability risk

Where tokens can be bridged or wrapped across multiple blockchains, vulnerabilities in bridge protocols, validator sets, or locking mechanisms may result in loss, duplication, or misrepresentation of assets. Exploits or technical failures in these systems can instantly impact circulating supply, ownership claims, or token fungibility across chains.

6. Forking and protocol-upgrade risk

Network upgrades or disagreements among node operators or validators can result in blockchain “forks”, where the blockchain splits into two or more incompatible versions that continue separately from a shared past. This may lead to duplicate token representations or incompatibilities between exchanges and wallets. Until consensus stabilises, trading or transfers may be disrupted or misaligned. Such situations may be difficult for retail holders to navigate, particularly when trading platforms or wallets display inconsistent token information.

7. Economic-layer and abstraction risk

Mechanisms such as gas relayers, wrapped tokens, or synthetic representations may alter the transaction economics of the underlying token. Changes in transaction costs, token demand, or utility may reduce its usage and weaken both its economic function and perceived value within its ecosystem.

8. Spam and network-efficiency risk

High volumes of low-value (“dust”) or automated transactions may congest the network, slow validation times, inflate ledger size, and raise transaction costs. This can impair performance, reduce throughput, and expose address patterns to analysis, thereby reducing network efficiency and privacy.

9. Front-end and access-interface risk

If users rely on centralised web interfaces or hosted wallets to interact with the blockchain, service outages, malicious compromises, or domain expiries affecting these interfaces may block access to the crypto-asset, even while the blockchain itself remains fully functional. Dependence on single web portals introduces a critical point of failure outside the DLT layer.

10. Decentralisation claim risk

While the technical infrastructure may appear distributed, the actual governance or economic control of the project may lie with a small set of actors. This disconnect between marketing claims and structural reality can lead to regulatory scrutiny, reputational damage, or legal uncertainty – especially if the project is presented as ‘community-governed’ without substantiation.

I.6 Mitigation measures

None.

Part J – Information on the sustainability indicators in relation to adverse impact on the climate and other environment-related adverse impacts

J.1 Adverse impacts on climate and other environment-related adverse impacts

S.1 Name

Crypto Risk Metrics GmbH

S.2 Relevant legal entity identifier

39120077M9TG0O1FE242

S.3 Name of the cryptoasset

Aster

S.4 Consensus Mechanism

The crypto-asset in scope is implemented on the BNB Smart Chain network following the standards described below.

The following applies to BNB Smart Chain:

Binance Smart Chain (BSC) uses a hybrid consensus mechanism called Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA), which combines elements of Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) and Proof of Authority (PoA). This method ensures fast block times and low fees while maintaining a level of decentralization and security. Core Components 1. Validators (so-called “Cabinet Members”): Validators on BSC are responsible for producing new blocks, validating transactions, and maintaining the network’s security. To become a validator, an entity must stake a significant amount of BNB (Binance Coin). Validators are selected through staking and voting by token holders. There are 21 active validators at any given time, rotating to ensure decentralization and security. 2. Delegators: Token holders who do not wish to run validator nodes can delegate their BNB tokens to validators. This delegation helps validators increase their stake and improves their chances of being selected to produce blocks. Delegators earn a share of the rewards that validators receive, incentivizing broad participation in network security. 3. Candidates: Candidates are nodes that have staked the required amount of BNB and are in the pool waiting to become validators. They are essentially potential validators who are not currently active but can be elected to the validator set through community voting. Candidates play a crucial role in ensuring there is always a sufficient pool of nodes ready to take on validation tasks, thus maintaining network resilience and decentralization. Consensus Process 4. Validator Selection: Validators are chosen based on the amount of BNB staked and votes received from delegators. The more BNB staked and votes received, the higher the chance of being selected to validate transactions and produce new blocks. The selection process involves both the current validators and the pool of candidates, ensuring a dynamic and secure rotation of nodes. 5. Block Production: The selected validators take turns producing blocks in a PoA-like manner, ensuring that blocks are generated quickly and efficiently. Validators validate transactions, add them to new blocks, and broadcast these blocks to the network. 6. Transaction Finality: BSC achieves fast block times of around 3 seconds and quick transaction finality. This is achieved through the efficient PoSA mechanism that allows validators to rapidly reach consensus. Security and Economic Incentives 7. Staking: Validators are required to stake a substantial amount of BNB, which acts as collateral to ensure their honest behavior. This staked amount can be slashed if validators act maliciously. Staking incentivizes validators to act in the network's best interest to avoid losing their staked BNB. 8. Delegation and Rewards: Delegators earn rewards proportional to their stake in validators. This incentivizes them to choose reliable validators and participate in the network’s security. Validators and delegators share transaction fees as rewards, which provides continuous economic incentives to maintain network security and performance. 9. Transaction Fees: BSC employs low transaction fees, paid in BNB, making it cost-effective for users. These fees are collected by validators as part of their rewards, further incentivizing them to validate transactions accurately and efficiently.

S.5 Incentive Mechanisms and Applicable Fees

The crypto-asset in scope is implemented on the BNB Smart Chain network following the standards described below.

The following applies to BNB Smart Chain:

Binance Smart Chain (BSC) uses the Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA) consensus mechanism to ensure network security and incentivize participation from validators and delegators. Incentive Mechanisms 1. Validators: Staking Rewards: Validators must stake a significant amount of BNB to participate in the consensus process. They earn rewards in the form of transaction fees and block rewards. Selection Process: Validators are selected based on the amount of BNB staked and the votes received from delegators. The more BNB staked and votes received, the higher the chances of being selected to validate transactions and produce new blocks. 2. Delegators: Delegated Staking: Token holders can delegate their BNB to validators. This delegation increases the validator's total stake and improves their chances of being selected to produce blocks. Shared Rewards: Delegators earn a portion of the rewards that validators receive. This incentivizes token holders to participate in the network’s security and decentralization by choosing reliable validators. 3. Candidates: Pool of Potential Validators: Candidates are nodes that have staked the required amount of BNB and are waiting to become active validators. They ensure that there is always a sufficient pool of nodes ready to take on validation tasks, maintaining network resilience. 4. Economic Security: Slashing: Validators can be penalized for malicious behavior or failure to perform their duties. Penalties include slashing a portion of their staked tokens, ensuring that validators act in the best interest of the network. Opportunity Cost: Staking requires validators and delegators to lock up their BNB tokens, providing an economic incentive to act honestly to avoid losing their staked assets. Fees on the Binance Smart Chain 5. Transaction Fees: Low Fees: BSC is known for its low transaction fees compared to other blockchain networks. These fees are paid in BNB and are essential for maintaining network operations and compensating validators. Dynamic Fee Structure: Transaction fees can vary based on network congestion and the complexity of the transactions. However, BSC ensures that fees remain significantly lower than those on the Ethereum mainnet. 6. Block Rewards: Incentivizing Validators: Validators earn block rewards in addition to transaction fees. These rewards are distributed to validators for their role in maintaining the network and processing transactions. 7. Cross-Chain Fees: Interoperability Costs: BSC supports cross-chain compatibility, allowing assets to be transferred between Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain. These cross-chain operations incur minimal fees, facilitating seamless asset transfers and improving user experience. 8. Smart Contract Fees: Deployment and Execution Costs: Deploying and interacting with smart contracts on BSC involves paying fees based on the computational resources required. These fees are also paid in BNB and are designed to be cost-effective, encouraging developers to build on the BSC platform.

S.6 Beginning of the period to which the disclosure relates

2024-12-21

S.7 End of the period to which the disclosure relates

2025-12-21

S.8 Energy consumption

317.65750 kWh/a

S.9 Energy consumption sources and methodologies

The energy consumption associated with this crypto-asset is aggregated of multiple contributing components, primarily the underlying blockchain network and the execution of token-specific operations. To determine the energy consumption of a token, the energy consumption of the underlying blockchain network BNB Smart Chain is calculated first. A proportionate share of that energy use is then attributed to the token based on its activity level within the network (e.g. transaction volume, contract execution).

The Functionally Fungible Group Digital Token Identifier (FFG DTI) is used to determine all technically equivalent implementations of the crypto-asset in scope.

Estimates regarding hardware types, node distribution, and the number of network participants are based on informed assumptions, supported by best-effort verification against available empirical data. Unless robust evidence suggests otherwise, participants are assumed to act in an economically rational manner. In line with the precautionary principle, conservative estimates are applied where uncertainty exists – that is, estimates tend towards the higher end of potential environmental impact.

S.10 Renewable energy consumption

37.9292932021 %

S.11 Energy intensity

0.00001 kWh

S.12 Scope 1 DLT GHG emissions – Controlled

0.00000 tCO2e/a

S.13 Scope 2 DLT GHG emissions – Purchased

0.10550 tCO2e/a

S.14 GHG intensity

0.00000 kgCO2e

S.15 Key energy sources and methodologies

To determine the proportion of renewable energy usage, the locations of the nodes are to be determined using public information sites, open-source crawlers and crawlers developed in-house. If no information is available on the geographic distribution of the nodes, reference networks are used which are comparable in terms of their incentivization structure and consensus mechanism. This geo-information is merged with public information from Our World in Data, see citation. The intensity is calculated as the marginal energy cost wrt. one more transaction. Ember (2025); Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024) - with major processing by Our World in Data. “Share of electricity generated by renewables - Ember and Energy Institute” [dataset]. Ember, “Yearly Electricity Data Europe”; Ember, “Yearly Electricity Data”; Energy Institute, “Statistical Review of World Energy” [original data]. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-electricity-renewables.

S.16 Key GHG sources and methodologies

To determine the GHG Emissions, the locations of the nodes are to be determined using public information sites, open-source crawlers and crawlers developed in-house. If no information is available on the geographic distribution of the nodes, reference networks are used which are comparable in terms of their incentivization structure and consensus mechanism. This geo-information is merged with public information from Our World in Data, see citation. The intensity is calculated as the marginal emission wrt. one more transaction. Ember (2025); Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2024) - with major processing by Our World in Data. “Carbon intensity of electricity generation - Ember and Energy Institute” [dataset]. Ember, “Yearly Electricity Data Europe”; Ember, “Yearly Electricity Data”; Energy Institute, “Statistical Review of World Energy” [original data]. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/carbon-intensity-electricity Licenced under CC BY 4.0.