Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has argued that any regulatory framework adopted to accommodate Hyperliquid would, by extension, benefit the entire decentralized trading sector, not ju
Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has argued that any regulatory framework adopted to accommodate Hyperliquid would, by extension, benefit the entire decentralized trading sector, not just one platform.
"Policy cannot be applied to only one company/project," CZ said. "What's good for one is good for the rest of the industry."
CZ's comments point to an opportunity that extends well beyond Hyperliquid. If US regulators carve out a clear pathway for decentralized perpetual futures platforms, more perp DEXs and on-chain services could become accessible to American users for the first time. Hyperliquid, the largest decentralized perpetual futures exchange by volume, is actively working to find a legally compliant way to serve US traders, though the platform currently geo-blocks American users.
The push comes after the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) took a significant step in late May 2026, approving the listing of the first perpetual futures contract on a CFTC-regulated exchange, a cash-settled perpetual derivative referencing the spot price of Bitcoin. The approval signals that perpetual contracts can, under appropriate circumstances, be structured to comply with the Commodity Exchange Act. That decision is widely seen as a potential turning point for the broader on-chain derivatives market.
Hyperliquid, which processed more than $250 billion in perpetual futures trading last month, has launched a US lobbying and research arm, the Hyperliquid Policy Center, a Washington DC-based nonprofit focused on regulatory frameworks for decentralized exchanges, perpetual futures, and blockchain-based market infrastructure.The Hyper Foundation committed 1 million $HYPE tokens, worth roughly $29 million, to fund the initiative.
The remarks reflect CZ's long-held view that decentralized venues will play an increasingly significant role in crypto markets. Zhao has previously predicted that perp DEXs will rival centralized exchange volumes within one market cycle. At the same time, he has been candid about the compliance risks that come with operating without KYC checks, drawing on his own experience navigating regulatory scrutiny at Binance.
The Hyperliquid Policy Center describes itself as an independent research and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a clear, regulated path for Americans to access on-chain markets. CZ's public backing adds weight to that case, signaling that how Washington treats platforms like Hyperliquid has implications for the entire decentralized trading industry.
SourcesCoinDesk: Hyperliquid starts DeFi lobbying group with $29 million token backingProskauer: The CFTC approves US-listed perpetual futuresCoinMarketCap: Hyperliquid launches $29M DeFi Policy Center in Washington
