Hyperliquid claims 80% of DeFi perp market, challenging centralized giants with decentralized edge

Hyperliquid has emerged as the undisputed leader in decentralized perpetual trading, commanding an impressive 80% market share among DeFi perp protocols and establishing itself as the clear winner in the race to capture traders migrating away from centralized exchanges.

Beginning in November 2024, Hyperliquid held approximately 30% market share, meaning the protocol has more than doubled its dominance in just six months. The platform's growth trajectory underscores the growing appeal of decentralized perpetual exchanges, which provide traders with benefits such as self-custody of funds, the elimination of Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, and reduced counterparty risk compared to traditional centralized platforms.

Despite its position in the DEX perp space, Hyperliquid still has substantial room for growth when viewed against the broader perpetual trading landscape. The platform processed $165 billion in volume this month compared to Binance's $1.7 trillion, representing roughly 9% of the centralized giant's perpetual trading activity. This comparison underscores both the scale of opportunity ahead and the significant progress already made in capturing market share from traditional exchanges.

Hyperliquid's appeal extends beyond typical DeFi advantages, with its unique funding and tokenomics structure resonating particularly well with the crypto community. Unlike many protocols that raised venture capital before launching tokens, Hyperliquid bootstrapped its development without VC funding, meaning institutional investors must purchase tokens on the open market alongside retail participants. This approach has alleviated concerns about large VC token unlocks that have affected other projects, resulting in a more balanced distribution model.

The protocol's success signals a broader maturation of DeFi derivatives infrastructure, demonstrating that decentralized platforms can effectively compete with centralized exchanges in terms of both user experience and liquidity provision.

As regulatory scrutiny continues to intensify around centralized platforms, Hyperliquid's growth may accelerate as traders seek alternatives that offer similar functionality without centralized risks.

This is an excerpt from The Block's Data & Insights newsletter. Dig into the numbers making up the industry's most thought-provoking trends.