DEXes · Review
AstroSwap Review 2026: A Small Velas DEX Built for Cardano
AstroSwap is a decentralized exchange on the Velas blockchain that describes itself as built for the Cardano ecosystem. Its tracked liquidity is very small and no audits are listed, so it suits only cautious, experimental use.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
3.8/10
Weak
Our verdict on AstroSwap
3.8/10AstroSwap is a small decentralized exchange on Velas that targets Cardano token holders and says it is backed by WagyuSwap. Its niche is clear, but about $27,000 in liquidity, no listed audits and an unexplained bridge make it a risky venue. It may suit experienced Velas users who want to experiment with small amounts. Anyone planning larger trades should look at deeper, audited markets instead.
Score breakdown
How AstroSwap scores
- Security
- 3.0/10
- Ease of use
- n/a
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- 4.0/10
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is AstroSwap?
AstroSwap is a decentralized exchange on the Velas blockchain. It describes itself as the first interstellar DEX built for the Cardano ecosystem and says it is supported by WagyuSwap, which it calls the leading DEX on Velas. Its X account dates from September 2021, and it has been tracked as a DEX since February 2022.
The pitch is to give Velas users access to familiar Cardano tokens through an integrated bridge. The project also claims Velas can handle 75,000 transactions per second, which is a project claim and not something verified here.
Scale is the main caveat. Total value locked is about $27,000, down about 3% over the past week, and no audits are listed. Market data for the ASTRO token suggests very little trading activity. It is a niche, low-liquidity venue.
How AstroSwap works
AstroSwap is a decentralized exchange. Instead of matching buyers and sellers, it uses liquidity pools: smart contracts holding pairs of tokens. When you swap one token for another, the contract adjusts the pool's balances and sets the price using a formula, a design known as an automated market maker.
Liquidity providers deposit token pairs into the pools and typically earn a share of swap fees. Because the pools here are small, a modest trade can move the price noticeably, which is called slippage.
The project says it runs on Velas and plans to include Cardano tokens through an integrated bridge. A bridge locks or burns assets on one chain and issues a representation on another, which adds trust and technical risk beyond the DEX itself.
4 features
Key features
01
Velas-based token swaps
Users swap tokens through on-chain liquidity pools on Velas rather than through an order book or a central custodian.
02
Cardano token focus
The project says it aims to offer popular Cardano tokens, with an integrated bridge to move them onto Velas.
03
WagyuSwap association
The project describes backing from WagyuSwap, which it presents as the leading DEX on Velas.
04
ASTRO token
ASTRO is the project's own token. Its specific utility is not detailed.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Clear niche: a DEX on Velas aimed at bringing Cardano tokens to that chain.
- Non-custodial design, so users trade from their own wallets.
- Backing from WagyuSwap is described by the project, which may help integration within Velas.
- Has its own token, ASTRO, and has been tracked since early 2022.
Watch out for
- Tracked liquidity is very small at about $27,000, so larger trades are likely to move prices sharply.
- No security audits are listed, so smart-contract risk is unquantified.
- The bridge for Cardano tokens adds a second layer of risk, and the project does not publish how it works.
- Trading volume for the ASTRO token appears minimal, which suggests low activity.
- Fees, team and governance details are not published.
- The Velas ecosystem is much smaller than the major DEX networks, so there are fewer integrations and less liquidity.
AstroSwap fees
AstroSwap does not publish a fee schedule. Typical DEXs charge a swap fee that goes to liquidity providers, plus a network gas fee paid in the chain's native coin. Users would see the exact amounts in the swap interface before confirming.
If the integrated bridge for Cardano tokens is used, bridge fees may apply on top of swap costs. These are not stated either.
Is AstroSwap safe?
No security audits are listed for AstroSwap, and the team behind it is not identified. As with any DEX, the main risks are smart-contract bugs, thin liquidity and token price manipulation, and the bridge for Cardano tokens adds custody and bridge risk. The project does not disclose a bug bounty or insurance cover.
A DEX is non-custodial, but approvals you grant to contracts can be exploited if the code is flawed. Use a separate wallet with limited funds and revoke unused approvals. Check that DeFi trading is legal where you live.
6 steps
How to get started with AstroSwap
- 1
Set up a wallet that supports the Velas network and fund it with a small amount of the native VLX coin for gas.
- 2
Check the official AstroSwap channels, such as its verified X account, to find the correct app address and avoid copycat sites.
- 3
Connect the wallet to the app and review the swap or pool interface and any fee or slippage settings.
- 4
Start with a small test swap to confirm how pricing and slippage behave given the thin liquidity.
- 5
If you want to bridge Cardano tokens, read the project's bridge instructions first and consider the extra risk.
- 6
Keep track of approvals you grant and revoke any you no longer need.
Who AstroSwap is for
AstroSwap suits experienced DeFi users already on Velas who are curious about Cardano-linked tokens and can tolerate thin liquidity and unaudited contracts. It is not a good fit for beginners or for anyone moving significant funds.
AstroSwap FAQs
What is AstroSwap?
AstroSwap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Velas blockchain. It describes itself as the first interstellar DEX built for the Cardano ecosystem and lets users swap tokens directly from their wallets.
Which blockchain does AstroSwap use?
AstroSwap runs on Velas. The project says it plans to bring popular Cardano tokens onto the platform through an integrated bridge.
What is the ASTRO token?
The project's own token is ASTRO. The project does not publish tokenomics, so check any token details with the project directly before buying.
Is AstroSwap safe?
No audits are listed for AstroSwap. Total value locked is about $27,000, which is small, so users face smart-contract and liquidity risk. Only use funds you can afford to lose.
Who supports AstroSwap?
The project says it is supported by WagyuSwap, which it calls the leading DEX on Velas. The exact nature of that support is not detailed.
What are AstroSwap's fees?
Fees are not published. Swap fees and network gas costs should appear in the swap interface before you confirm a trade.
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How we checked
Sources
Last updated . Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.