Introduction to Soneium and Astar Surge
Movement, which raised nearly $40 million, saw its token $MOVE listed on top exchanges like Binance and Upbit on its first day. With $MOVE's market cap now at $2 billion and Pudgy Penguins fueling NFT market hype, it's clear that new blockchain and Layer 2 narratives remain highly compelling. Japanese tech giant Sony is entering the blockchain space with Soneium, launching early next year. How can you participate?
Astar Surge is an exclusive airdrop event for $ASTR holders. By locking $ASTR tokens in smart contracts, participants earn points for five key Soneium ecosystem projects. When Soneium's mainnet launches (expected by February 1, 2025), these points can be redeemed for tokens during each project's Token Generation Event (TGE).
Who Should Participate in Astar Surge?
- $ASTR holders looking to leverage their holdings for additional airdrop opportunities
- Those bullish on Soneium, Sony's new Layer 2 chain, seeking early access to inaugural project points
Participation Requirements:
- EVM-compatible wallet (Astar Surge operates on Astar EVM chain)
- **$ASTR tokens** (some projects also accept $vASTR)
Understanding Soneium and Its Connection to Astar Network
Soneium is Sony's upcoming blockchain venture, marking the Web2 giant's major step into Web3 with its vast gaming, entertainment, and media IP portfolio.
Key features of Soneium:
- Ethereum Layer 2 using OP Stack
- Part of Optimism's Superchain ecosystem (alongside Base, Uniswap's Unichain)
- Developed by Startale Labs (Astar Network team)
No native token planned - $ASTR will serve multiple functions:
- Sequencer revenue used for $ASTR buybacks
- Primary payment, staking, and routing token for DeFi
👉 Learn more about Astar Network's architecture
Step-by-Step Astar Surge Participation Guide
Access the Sake Finance Astar Surge platform (audited by PeckShield). The event began December 18, 2024, with locked tokens releasable upon Soneium's mainnet launch (by February 1, 2025).
Five Soneium Spark Projects in Astar Surge:
- Sake Finance: Lending protocol + CDP (collateralized debt positions)
- YAY!: SocialFi platform combining Twitter, Facebook, Discord features
- Untitled Bank: Modular aggregated lending protocol with customizable banking
- SoneX: AMM decentralized exchange
- Kyo Finance: ve-model AMM DEX (similar to Velodrome/Aerodrome)
Most projects accept $ASTR, while KYO, Sonex, and YAY! also take $vASTR (Bifrost's liquid staking derivative of $ASTR).
Participation Strategies:
- Selective Approach: Choose preferred projects based on conviction
- Balanced Distribution: Allocate evenly across all five projects
- Contrarian Method: Weight allocations toward less popular projects
Acquiring $ASTR and $vASTR on Astar EVM
For First-Time Astar Users:
Astar Network operates across three chains:
- Astar Polkadot mainnet (primary exchange withdrawal chain)
- Astar EVM (EVM-compatible)
- Astar zkEVM (being phased out)
Simplest Method:
- Use EVM wallet to bridge assets to Astar EVM
- Swap for $ASTR/$vASTR on DEXs
👉 Top cross-chain bridges for 2024
Obtaining $vASTR:
$vASTR offers automatic yield compounding through its dynamic exchange rate.
Easy Method (EVM-only):
- Swap for $vASTR directly on Astar EVM DEXs
Advanced Method (Polkadot experience required):
- Stake $ASTR via Bifrost protocol
- Cross-chain transfer to Astar EVM
Conclusion: Early Access to Soneium's Ecosystem
As Sony's Web3 flagship, Soneium represents a strategic entry into the OP Superchain ecosystem. Astar Surge offers early participants airdrop points for pioneering projects, with the primary risk being $ASTR price volatility during the lock-up period.
FAQ Section
What is the minimum participation amount for Astar Surge?
There's no minimum, but gas fees apply for transactions on Astar EVM.
Can I withdraw my locked $ASTR before Soneium's launch?
No, tokens remain locked until Soneium's mainnet goes live (by February 1, 2025).
How are airdrop distributions calculated?
Points accumulated convert to tokens proportionally during each project's TGE.
Is $vASTR better than $ASTR for participation?
Yes, $vASTR continues earning staking rewards during lock-up.
What happens if Soneium's launch delays beyond February 2025?
The smart contract automatically unlocks tokens on February 1, 2025, regardless of launch status.
Are there risks to participating?
Primary risks include $ASTR price volatility and potential project failures before TGE.