Prioritizing Trust Over Speed
Unlike many startups, Hyperliquid has deliberately chosen to reject venture capital funding. The team prefers to slow down development rather than compromise the credibility and neutrality of the protocol. Jeff emphasizes that only by remaining capital-free from the start can a project achieve the level of trust and neutrality seen in networks like Bitcoin. Hyperliquid’s approach reflects a growing debate in the blockchain industry. Many projects rely on venture capital to accelerate growth, but Jeff argues that early capital involvement can introduce biases and influence that undermine neutrality. By rejecting external funding, Hyperliquid ensures that all decisions are made in the interest of the community, not investors. This slower pace allows the team to carefully design systems, test features, and maintain a level of transparency that fosters long-term trust.
A real-world example can be seen in Bitcoin itself. Launched without any venture backing, Bitcoin has maintained a high degree of neutrality and decentralized governance for over a decade. With over 250 million wallets using it globally, Bitcoin continues to be the most widely held and transacted cryptocurrency worldwide. Hyperliquid aims to replicate this model, creating a financial network where trust comes from the protocol itself rather than from external capital or stakeholders.
Hyperliquid Founder Talks About the Biggest Challenge in the Project’s Development
Hyperliquid founder Jeff said in an interview with TBPN on October 22 that the biggest challenge in the project’s development is finding a balance between the ideal of decentralization and the… pic.twitter.com/w7cOI5W0zf
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) November 9, 2025
Hyperliquid’s decision aligns with a broader trend in the crypto space, emphasizing decentralization and self-sustainability. Projects like Monero and Ethereum have also highlighted community-driven growth, relying on open-source contributions rather than early venture capital intervention. Data from Electric Capital’s Developer Report shows that fully open-source projects with decentralized governance attract more sustained developer engagement over time, supporting the long-term health and security of the network.
More About Hyperliquid
Hyperliquid has announced a new feature allowing users to trade $ICP with leverage, responding directly to community demand. Traders can now take long or short positions on $ICP with up to 5x leverage, meaning they can amplify potential gains—or losses—by five times their initial investment.
By community request, you can now long or short $ICP with up to 5x leverage. pic.twitter.com/JqrsQF9EFZ
— Hyperliquid (@HyperliquidX) November 8, 2025
This move reflects Hyperliquid’s focus on providing flexible trading options and responding to user feedback, while also highlighting the growing interest in leveraged trading within the crypto community. By offering this feature, the platform aims to attract more active traders seeking advanced strategies and increased exposure to digital assets like $ICP.