The cryptocurrency world was shaken today as a fake filing claiming BlackRock’s involvement in a “Staked Aster ETF” went viral. The rumor spread like wildfire across social media platforms, particularly crypto Twitter, before Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) stepped in to debunk the misinformation.
The Hoax: BlackRock’s Fake ETF Filing
A fabricated SEC Form S-1 screenshot surfaced online, falsely purporting that BlackRock submitted a filing for an ‘iShares Staked Aster Trust ETF.’ The forged document, designed to mimic a legitimate SEC filing, created significant confusion among investors and enthusiasts. Several websites and influencers initially fell for the trap, believing this marked a huge step forward for Aster on Wall Street.
However, upon closer inspection, errors in the formatting and failure to locate the document in the SEC database raised red flags. Influencer @ThatMartiniGuy shared the fake news but retracted it once the truth emerged, tweeting, “This unfortunately was not real… however it would have been cool.”
CZ’s Response and Aster’s Market Impact
Binance CEO CZ was quick to dismiss the claims, tweeting: “Fake. Even big KOLs get fooled once in a while. Aster doesn’t need these fake photoshopped pics to grow. 😂” His statement not only clarified the misinformation but also sent a message about the importance of credible sources.
CZ has previously expressed his support for Aster. In November 2025, he disclosed that he personally invested in 2.09 million ASTER tokens, worth over $2 million. This endorsement once caused ASTER’s price to surge by over 30%, although subsequent shorting led to major price corrections.
What’s Aster? Why the Buzz?
Aster is a multi-chain decentralized exchange (DEX) enabling spot and perpetual trading across networks like BNB Chain, Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum. Backed by YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs), Aster has established a robust foundation in the crypto market. Its connection with CZ and the recent frenzy surrounding BlackRock’s real ETF filings only fueled its visibility.
The Real BlackRock Filing
Adding credibility to the hoax was BlackRock’s legitimate filing of the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF earlier this week. This product aims to track ETH price performance and staking rewards, with shares set to debut on the Nasdaq under the ticker ‘ETHB.’ This genuine development likely made the Aster hoax feel more believable to the community.
Staying Alert: Misinformation in Crypto
The rise and rapid spread of fake news such as this emphasize the need for diligence in the crypto world. Always confirm news from official sources before making investment decisions. For example, if you’re looking into crypto investment products, consider platforms like Coinbase, which ensure transparency and reliability.
In a volatile industry like cryptocurrency, staying informed and skeptical can save investors from falling for scams or making impulsive decisions based on misinformation.
