BlackRock staked ASTER ETF filing exposed as fake after December 9 price swings and backlash

On December 9, 2025, a post on X claiming BlackRock had filed an S-1 for a staked ASTER ETF sparked speculation and short-lived price volatility before key figures debunked the rumor as fake. ASTER had previously been the subject of similar ETF rumors involving Grayscale, and recent trading has also been shaped by buybacks and a DEX token unlock that released $9.47 million worth of tokens. Developers criticized parts of the community for spreading false ETF headlines, warning that such behavior undermines the project’s long-term growth.