Hyperliquid is launching a new policy center in Washington, D.C., backed by approximately $29 million in funding.

Announced on Wednesday, February 18, the initiative aims to fight for clearer rules for Decentralized Finance (DeFi) in the United States. This significant move signals that the DeFi sector is maturing and ready to engage directly with lawmakers rather than staying in the shadows.

But will this investment be enough to gain regulatory clarity for crypto traders?

The new center enters the scene as lawmakers debate bills like the CLARITY Act, trying to decide whether these platforms fall under the SEC’s or the CFTC’s jurisdiction. Without clear guidance, many DeFi platforms currently block U.S. users to avoid legal trouble.

DISCOVER: Best New Cryptocurrencies to Invest in 2026 

What The $29M Policy Center Means For DeFi Regulation

The Hyperliquid Policy Center is not branding itself as just another lobby shop. It is pitching itself as an independent research group, backed by 1 million HYPE tokens from the Hyper Foundation, worth about $29 million at launch. That is serious funding.

At the front is Jake Chervinsky, a familiar name in crypto law and former general counsel at the Blockchain Association.

He argues the U.S. risks falling behind if it keeps dragging its feet on blockchain policy. In his view, the country either builds smart rules now or watches other nations take the lead.

The focus is clear. Educate lawmakers on how decentralized derivatives actually function. DeFi protocols operate through code, not corporate executives. That difference often gets lost in Washington, leading to policies that treat them like traditional exchanges. The center aims to close that gap before regulation locks innovation out.

Ideally, this leads to legal ways for you to trade perpetuals in the U.S. However, industry observers note that lobbying is a long game. Without clear rules for now, engaging with offshore DeFi platforms still carries regulatory risks. The center hopes to fix this by advocating for laws that recognize DeFi’s unique structure and move beyond the current valid-or-invalid debate.

DISCOVER: Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in 2026 

Follow 99Bitcoins on X For the Latest Market Updates and Subscribe on YouTube For Daily Expert Market Analysis.

Why you can trust 99Bitcoins

10+ Years

Established in 2013, 99Bitcoin’s team members have been crypto experts since Bitcoin’s Early days.

90hr+

Weekly Research

100k+

Monthly readers

50+

Expert contributors

2000+

Crypto Projects Reviewed

Google News Icon
Follow 99Bitcoins on your Google News Feed
Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now!
Subscribe now
Alex Ioannou
Alex Ioannou
On-Chain Journalist

Alex is a seasoned cryptocurrency trader and market analyst with over seven years of active experience in the digital asset space. Since entering the markets in 2017, Alex has specialized in identifying emerging "meta" trends and high-volatility narratives. Notably, Alex... Read More

Free Bitcoin Crash Course

  • Enjoyed by over 100,000 students.
  • One email a day, 7 days in a row.
  • Short and educational, guaranteed!

Secure, Seamless, Smart — Join the Future of Crypto with BestWallet

  • No KYC
  • Trade & Swap Directly In the Wallet
  • Built-in Crypto Presale Launchpad
Secure, Seamless, Smart — Join the Future of Crypto with BestWallet
Back to top