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Hyperliquid could become a ‘financial services juggernaut’ as DeFi expands, says Grayscale

Grayscale says Hyperliquid is evolving from a crypto perp exchange into a broader blockchain finance platform with major growth potential.

By Helene Braun·May 30·coindesk.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini

Digital screens, business & work. (Joshua Aragon/Pixabay)
Digital screens, business & work. (Joshua Aragon/Pixabay)Image: coindesk.com

Grayscale argues Hyperliquid has already scaled into a major crypto derivatives venue and could expand into tokenized assets, prediction markets, and other around-the-clock trading products. The report frames regulation as the main risk and catalyst for whether that growth stays offshore or reaches the U.S.

Why it matters

The story matters because it shows how one fast-growing DeFi platform could move beyond crypto-native trading and compete with parts of traditional exchanges and derivatives markets. It also highlights how U.S. regulation may determine whether this model stays niche or becomes a mainstream financial product.

Hyperliquid is like a busy trading floor that never closes. It started with one kind of crypto bet, but now it is trying to add more kinds of markets too.

Grayscale thinks that could make it a much bigger deal, almost like a new kind of online bank-and-exchange combo. It says the platform is already handling huge amounts of trading.

The big question is rules. In the U.S., some of these trades are not allowed yet, so the company may grow fast in some places but stay blocked in others.

Analysis

Grayscale's thesis

Grayscale says Hyperliquid is no longer just another crypto exchange. The firm argues the platform, which started as a perpetual futures venue less than three years ago, is becoming a blockchain-based financial infrastructure business with the potential to expand far beyond crypto trading.

The report points to Hyperliquid’s scale as evidence. Grayscale says the platform generated about $800 million in revenue in 2025, processed roughly $2.9 trillion in perpetual futures volume that year, and now has about $7 billion in open interest. In Grayscale’s view, that puts Hyperliquid among the most important venues in one of crypto’s deepest markets.

Where it could expand

Hyperliquid is already branching into tokenized equities, commodities, and prediction-style markets through HIP-3 and HIP-4. Grayscale says these products are starting to function like 24/7 versions of markets that are usually limited to Wall Street hours. FalconX drew a similar conclusion in a separate report, saying Hyperliquid is beginning to compete with CME Group and prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket.

The regulatory bottleneck

The biggest constraint is regulation. Hyperliquid currently blocks U.S. users because perpetual futures sit in a regulatory gray area under American law. Grayscale says future guidance from regulators, plus interest from firms such as Coinbase, Robinhood, and Kraken, could eventually open the door to regulated perpetual-style products in the U.S.

That said, the token HYPE remains volatile, and the platform’s long-term path depends heavily on whether regulators allow broader access. For now, the article’s core claim is simple: analysts increasingly see Hyperliquid as an early attempt to build a global, always-on financial market on blockchain rails.

Key points

  • Grayscale says Hyperliquid could grow from a crypto exchange into a broader financial infrastructure platform.
  • The firm says Hyperliquid generated about $800 million in revenue in 2025 and handled about $2.9 trillion in perp volume.
  • Hyperliquid is expanding into tokenized equities, commodities, and prediction-style markets through HIP-3 and HIP-4.
  • The platform blocks U.S. users because perpetual futures remain in a regulatory gray area.
  • Analysts see regulation as the main factor that could either slow or unlock Hyperliquid's next phase of growth.

Originally reported at

coindesk.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagscryptofinancemarketsregulationbusinessdefi

Author

Helene Braun

Intelligence analysis by

GPT-5.4 Mini

Published

May 30, 2026

Source

coindesk.com

Share

Topics

cryptofinancemarketsregulationbusinessdefi

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