ZachXBT, a well-known crypto investigator, just received $254K in $HYPE tokens from the Hyperliquid Foundation. The 10,000 $HYPE gift is his second-biggest donation ever and highlights his role as a trusted, independent watchdog in the crypto world.
He’s built a reputation for uncovering scams, tracking stolen funds, and exposing fraud. This donation doesn’t just help him financially—it also shows that the community trusts his work and values independent research.
Besides the donation’s monetary value, it highlights a growing trend of crypto foundations backing accountability efforts. ZachXBT maintains a top 10 donor leaderboard, with Hyperliquid now ranking second, following Optimism.
The list also includes Octant, The White Whale, Arbitrum, BNB Chain, Unipcs, Nouns, CL207, and High Stakes Capital. Consequently, supporting independent investigations is gaining recognition as an essential component of healthy blockchain ecosystems.
Boosting Transparency Through Independent Research
Unlike traditional finance, blockchain investigations require deep technical expertise, patience, and independence. Investigators often operate without institutional support, relying on community backing and donations. The Hyperliquid Foundation’s contribution is fully verifiable on-chain, reflecting its commitment to transparency.
Moreover, by funding independent analysis, the foundation strengthens trust and accountability across decentralized markets. Foundations like Hyperliquid, known for high-performance trading infrastructure and deep liquidity, increasingly view such contributions as proactive measures to secure the ecosystem.
Setting a New Standard in Crypto Support
Additionally, the crypto sector is witnessing a shift where foundations recognize independent investigators as partners rather than adversaries. Donations of this magnitude remain rare but could set a precedent. If more projects follow, decentralized finance could see enhanced safety, trust, and community engagement.
ZachXBT’s work exemplifies the importance of oversight in an industry often criticized for opacity. “A special thanks to Hyperliquid for their recent generous donation,” he stated, acknowledging the symbolic and financial impact. Consequently, Hyperliquid’s move underscores how ecosystem players can shape long-term industry integrity while fostering transparency and accountability.