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Crypto derivatives platform Hyperliquid has taken a major step into public policy by launching a dedicated decentralized finance advocacy group in Washington, DC. The new initiative, called the Hyperliquid Policy Center, aims to influence US lawmakers at a time when digital asset regulation is approaching a critical crossroads. With Congress debating how to classify and regulate crypto markets, the move signals a growing effort by DeFi-native organizations to shape the rules that could define the industry’s future.
The policy center will focus on promoting clearer frameworks for decentralized finance, with special attention to perpetual derivatives and blockchain-based financial infrastructure. This positions Hyperliquid not just as a fast-growing trading platform, but also as an emerging voice in the regulatory conversation around next-generation financial systems.
New DeFi Advocacy Voice In Washington
The Hyperliquid Policy Center has appointed Jake Chervinsky as its founder and CEO. Chervinsky is widely known in crypto legal circles and previously served as legal head at crypto venture fund Variant. He also held a senior policy role at the crypto lobbying group Blockchain Association.
According to the announcement, the center will advocate for “a clear, regulated path for decentralized finance to thrive in the United States.” Its policy work will emphasize perpetual futures, onchain derivatives markets, and blockchain infrastructure — areas where DeFi platforms have grown rapidly but regulatory clarity remains limited.
The group’s founding team also includes policy director Salah Ghazzal, formerly of Variant, and policy counsel Brad Bourque, previously an associate at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, which has handled several high-profile crypto-related matters, including work connected to the collapsed exchange FTX.
Funding Backed By Hyper Ecosystem
Initial funding for the policy center will come from the Hyper Foundation, an independent organization that supports the Hyperliquid ecosystem. The foundation plans to contribute 1 million HYPE tokens to support the center’s launch and early operations.
Hyperliquid operates as a layer-1 blockchain and decentralized perpetual futures exchange. It has seen rapid growth in trading activity, especially as more users shift toward onchain derivatives and commodities-style trading strategies during volatile market periods. The platform has also explored expansion into prediction markets and other advanced DeFi trading tools.
This growth has increased the project’s visibility — and regulatory exposure — making policy engagement more strategically important.
Leaders Call It A Critical Policy Moment
Hyperliquid leadership says the timing of the lobbying push is deliberate. US regulators and lawmakers are actively debating how crypto markets should be supervised, with multiple bills under discussion covering market structure, exchange oversight, and stablecoins.
Hyperliquid co-founder and CEO Jeff Yan described the present moment as a turning point for financial technology policy. He said the crypto and DeFi sector needs a more unified and technically informed voice in Washington discussions.
He emphasized that blockchain-based systems could significantly upgrade the underlying technology stack of global finance, improving transparency, resilience, and operational efficiency. According to Yan, decisions made by US regulators will likely influence global standards, making domestic engagement essential for DeFi builders.
Chervinsky echoed that view, arguing that more traditional financial firms are already adopting blockchain rails because of their structural advantages. He warned that without modernized rules, innovation could shift to more welcoming jurisdictions outside the United States.
Regulation Debate Centers On Market Structure
Congress is currently working on legislation that would clarify how crypto markets are regulated and which agencies oversee different types of digital assets. However, progress has slowed in the Senate due to disagreements among lawmakers and lobbying groups, particularly around stablecoin provisions and the division of authority between regulators.
This uncertainty has created friction for DeFi platforms offering perpetual derivatives and other advanced financial products. Many of these tools do not fit neatly into existing categories under securities or commodities law, leading to compliance ambiguity.
By forming a dedicated DeFi policy lobby, Hyperliquid is aiming to help educate lawmakers about how decentralized derivatives protocols function and how tailored regulation could reduce risk without stifling innovation.