Circle Invests in Hyperliquid, Launches Native USDC on Derivatives Protocol

Circle has invested in Hyperliquid and launched native USDC on its derivatives-focused protocol. This move positions Circle directly within Hyperliquid's consensus mechanism, representing deeper integration beyond providing stablecoin infrastructure.

The company now holds HYPE tokens and is considering becoming a network validator. The launch of native USDC on HyperEVM marks the first step towards enabling deposits into the platform's spot and perpetuals exchange.

Hyperliquid specializes in decentralized finance derivatives trading, having hit $330 billion in trading volume by July 2025. Its layer-1 network was launched nearly a year ago, and it has built significant momentum in the DeFi space.