Aster CEO Leonard shared insights on the company's future plans and recent developments in an interview. Following Aster's successful token generation event, the decentralized exchange (DEX) has seen significant growth and attention, notably from Binance CEO CZ, who disclosed a $2 million investment in Aster tokens. Leonard acknowledged the pressure and expectations that come with such high-profile attention but emphasized the importance of enduring these challenges to achieve extraordinary success. Leonard also discussed Aster's focus on AI and privacy features. The company recently concluded a "Human vs AI" trading competition, highlighting AI's potential in trustless asset management. Aster plans to invest in developing a permissionless AI trading product. Additionally, Aster's "Shield Mode" offers privacy in transactions, addressing market demand for self-custody and verifiability. Looking ahead, Aster Chain is set to launch its mainnet in 2026, aiming to enhance the trading experience with tailored blockchain infrastructure. Leonard expressed optimism about the integration of AI in asset management and the adoption of privacy features. He also highlighted the potential for new assets to be "perpetualized" in trading, driven by the growth of prediction markets. Aster's focus remains on building a sustainable product that meets user needs and fosters community trust.