The fake screenshot looked polished enough to spread quickly on social platforms, where any mention of BlackRock and ETFs tends to spark fast market reactions.
Speculation intensified because BlackRock has been exploring staking-related products in the Ethereum ecosystem, prompting some traders to wonder whether ASTER could benefit from similar attention.
That enthusiasm faded once Binance founder Changpeng Zhao intervened, writing, “Fake. Even big KOLs get fooled once in a while,” and noting that ASTER “does not need edited images to grow.”
After Zhao’s clarification, market focus shifted back to technicals.
ASTER remains locked in the same narrow trading band it has occupied for nearly two months, with no new catalysts visible.
The claimed filing never appeared in SEC records, had no ties to BlackRock, and lacked any official correspondence, confirming the rumor as baseless.
Murtuza is a seasoned finance journalist with extensive experience covering cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. He has contributed to Benzinga and Cointelegraph, among other publications, reporting on emerging trends, the regulatory landscape, and more. Find him at @murtuza_merc on Twitter and mmerchant001 on Telegram.
Disclosure: Murtuza holds ATOM, AKT, TIA, INJ, and OSMO.
