Hyperliquid Foundation Launches Policy Center to Shape U.S. DeFi Regulations

Highlights:

• The Hyperliquid Foundation has created a policy center to shape regulation regarding decentralized finance.
• The head of the new center is Jake Chervinsky, a proponent of clear regulations for DeFi.
• The Hyperliquid Foundation is aiming to bring perpetual derivatives into U.S. law.

Hyperliquid has officially launched its DeFi Policy Center in Washington, D.C., to promote regulations across the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. The Hyperliquid Foundation funded the establishment of the center, aiming to guide lawmakers on the treatment of decentralized markets such as perpetual futures under the U.S. legal framework.

The policy center has hired Jake Chervinsky, a seasoned crypto lawyer, as its CEO. Having a strong background in crypto law with a prior tenure at the Blockchain Association, Chervinsky is best positioned to navigate the difficulties of DeFi regulation. The new initiative will also provide in-depth expertise to policymakers as they assess the future of decentralized exchanges and other financial instruments.

1/ I am proud to announce the launch of Hyperliquid Policy Center, where I will serve as CEO.

HPC is an independent research and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that DeFi can flourish in the United States.

The future of finance will be decentralized. https://t.co/ObDFGsjlwj

— Jake Chervinsky (@jchervinsky) February 18, 2026

Focus on Perpetual Derivatives and DeFi Markets

Among the main concerns to be addressed by the Hyperliquid Policy Center is the creation of clear regulations on decentralized exchange and perpetual derivatives, or perps. These financial instruments have become popular, particularly on offshore platforms. However, in the U.S., they remain largely unregulated. The project will promote the inclusion of perpetual futures in U.S. financial regulations.

The Policy Center plans to collaborate with legislators to educate them about the world of decentralized finance and blockchain infrastructure. The move follows the ongoing controversy in the U.S. regarding how crypto platforms and markets should be regulated. The goal is to help policymakers develop a framework that favors innovation while protecting investors and financial systems.

Building Support Through Strategic Partnerships

The Hyperliquid Foundation has contributed a substantial amount to the new policy center. They have committed 1 million HYPE tokens, which are worth about $29 million, to finance the project. This action shows their long-term belief in the development of decentralized finance and its future inclusion in the mainstream financial system.

The center is also gathering a team of professionals to help it drive its mission forward. Brad Bourque, the policy counsel of the center, and Salah Ghazzal, the policy director, bring in extensive experience. Their experience will play a very crucial role in determining the strategies and priorities of the center.

Hyperliquid has quickly become one of the most rapidly expanding decentralized exchanges in the cryptocurrency industry. The trading volumes within the platform have surpassed those of the long-established platforms in less than three years. Hyperliquid has processed over $250 billion in perpetual futures trading and $6.6 billion in spot volume over the last month alone.

A Response to Legislative Uncertainty

The launch of Hyperliquid’s Policy Center also coincides with the ongoing discussions in the market. U.S. lawmakers are grappling with key decisions about the future of DeFi and crypto regulation. Currently, Congress has stalled several major bills, like the CLARITY Act. The bill aims to provide a better definition of digital assets and set up a regulatory system of regulations in the industry. However, the discussion around the regulation of stablecoins and decentralized finance remains an obstacle to progress.

White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt stated that banks shouldn't fear stablecoin yield amid ongoing discussions in the CLARITY crypto market structure bill, which highlights the role of crypto companies and platforms offering stablecoin rewards.

— Stablecoin Beat (@Stablecoin_beat) February 14, 2026

The Hyperliquid Foundation is consequently establishing itself as a critical voice in these discussions. Being a part of the discussion in Washington, the foundation seeks to ensure that U.S. regulations support the growth of DeFi technologies instead of stifling them.