VanEck, one of the world’s leading asset managers with more than $100 billion under management, is setting its sights on Hyperliquid, the fast-rising decentralized trading hub. The firm revealed plans to launch a spot staking ETF for HYPE in the United States while also preparing a physically backed exchange-traded product (ETP) in Europe, signaling growing institutional interest in the platform.
Hyperliquid’s Leap into Institutional Finance
Hyperliquid, launched in 2023, has rapidly carved out a reputation as a next-generation Layer-1 blockchain optimized for perpetual futures and leveraged trading. Daily volumes regularly reach into the billions, rivaling centralized exchanges, while its decentralized governance and lean technical architecture have won favor among DeFi users.
Now, VanEck is bringing Hyperliquid into the institutional spotlight. If approved, the U.S. filing would mark the first spot staking ETF tied to HYPE, Hyperliquid’s native token. Unlike traditional spot ETFs that simply track price movements, this product would generate additional yield through staking rewards. For investors, that means exposure to both the growth potential of HYPE and a steady stream of income.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, VanEck’s proposed physically backed ETP aims to broaden access for both retail and institutional investors in Europe, where regulatory barriers remain lower than in the U.S.
A Bold Product Design
The strategy blends passive and active investment features, appealing to a wide range of investors. The ETF’s staking component reflects the growing demand for yield-driven products in the crypto space, while the ETP’s physical backing reassures traditional market participants with a transparent custody model.
In a forward-looking move, VanEck has also floated the idea of using net profits from these funds to buy back HYPE tokens, echoing Hyperliquid’s own reinvestment model. Such a mechanism could support long-term token value and align institutional capital with community-driven incentives.
Hyperliquid’s Expanding Ecosystem
Hyperliquid’s momentum extends beyond trading. The project is preparing to launch USDH, a native stablecoin designed to reduce reliance on USDT and USDC while boosting liquidity. Combined with its strong governance and steady technical upgrades, the network is positioning itself as a serious challenger to centralized giants like Binance.
Earlier this week, VanEck CEO Jan van Eck praised Hyperliquid’s efficiency and governance in an open letter, reinforcing the firm’s belief in the project’s future.
Bridging Wall Street and DeFi
The dual filings mark a pivotal moment for crypto’s integration with traditional finance. Should regulators approve these products, Hyperliquid would become the youngest digital asset to receive a Wall Street ETF filing, underscoring how quickly DeFi protocols are gaining legitimacy.
For VanEck, the move secures a first-mover advantage in a market where institutional demand for staking, yield, and regulated crypto exposure is accelerating. For Hyperliquid, it’s validation that decentralized finance is not only here to stay but ready to take its place alongside traditional capital markets.
