Hyperliquid Policy Center Launches in Washington D.C. to Champion Decentralized Finance

Washington, D.C., February 18, 2026: A new and significant voice has officially entered the policy arena of the United States capital. The Hyperliquid Policy Center, a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to promoting the understanding and adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi), launched its operations today. The center, which has named prominent crypto legal expert Jake Chervinsky as its Chief Executive Officer, represents a strategic move to engage directly with U.S. lawmakers and regulators. Its operations are funded by an initial endowment of one million HYPE governance tokens, signaling a novel, crypto-native approach to funding policy work.

Hyperliquid Policy Center Aims to Bridge DeFi and U.S. Regulation

The establishment of the Hyperliquid Policy Center marks a pivotal moment for the decentralized finance sector in America. For years, DeFi protocols and applications have operated in a complex and often uncertain regulatory environment. The center’s primary mission is to serve as an educational and advocacy resource, providing policymakers with accurate, technical, and balanced information about DeFi’s mechanisms, benefits, and potential risks. This initiative seeks to move the conversation beyond theoretical debates and into the realm of practical, informed policy-making. The choice of Washington, D.C., as its base underscores a commitment to engaging with federal institutions, including Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Treasury Department.

Leadership and Funding: A Crypto-Native Approach

The appointment of Jake Chervinsky as CEO brings immediate credibility and expertise to the organization. Chervinsky, formerly the Chief Legal Officer of Variant Fund and a well-known commentator on crypto regulation, has a deep understanding of both the legal landscape and the technological foundations of blockchain. His experience navigating high-profile regulatory cases and his articulate advocacy make him a strategic choice to lead the center’s efforts. Furthermore, the funding model itself is noteworthy. The initial operational budget of one million HYPE tokens—the native governance token of the Hyperliquid decentralized exchange—demonstrates a self-sustaining model rooted in the ecosystem it aims to defend. This structure aligns the center’s long-term success with the health and adoption of the DeFi protocols it represents.

The Evolving Landscape of Crypto Advocacy in Washington

The Hyperliquid Policy Center enters a field already populated by several established blockchain advocacy groups, such as the Blockchain Association and Coin Center. Its distinct focus, however, is squarely on the nuances of decentralized finance—a subset of crypto that presents unique regulatory challenges around decentralization, governance, and consumer protection. The center’s launch follows a period of increased legislative activity, including draft bills on stablecoins, market structure, and clearer definitions of digital assets. Experts suggest the center will likely focus its early efforts on key issues like:

• Regulatory Clarity for DeFi Protocols: Advocating for frameworks that distinguish between centralized entities and decentralized software.
• Consumer Protection in a Non-Custodial World: Developing policy ideas that protect users without imposing bank-like regulations on open-source code.
• National Security and Compliance: Engaging on topics like anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements as they apply to decentralized networks.
• Innovation and Competitiveness: Arguing that clear, sensible regulation is necessary for the U.S. to remain a leader in financial technology.

Implications for the Future of DeFi in America

The long-term success of the Hyperliquid Policy Center will be measured by its ability to influence the drafting and passage of legislation. Its presence provides a dedicated channel for DeFi builders and participants to communicate with regulators who may lack technical familiarity with the space. By presenting data-driven research, hosting educational briefings, and drafting proposed legislative language, the center aims to be a constructive partner in the regulatory process. This proactive approach contrasts with a history of reactive legal battles, suggesting a maturation in the industry’s political strategy. The center’s work could significantly impact how millions of Americans interact with lending, borrowing, and trading services built on blockchain technology.

Conclusion

The launch of the Hyperliquid Policy Center in Washington, D.C., is a definitive step toward institutionalizing DeFi advocacy within the American political system. With seasoned leadership in Jake Chervinsky and a crypto-native funding model, the organization is poised to become a critical voice in the complex debate over digital asset regulation. Its mission to foster the adoption of decentralized finance in the USA will involve navigating significant legal and political hurdles. However, its very establishment signals a growing recognition that for DeFi to reach its full potential, sustained and sophisticated engagement with policymakers is not just beneficial—it is essential.

FAQs

Q1: What is the Hyperliquid Policy Center?
The Hyperliquid Policy Center is a non-profit advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., launched in February 2026. Its core mission is to promote the understanding, adoption, and sensible regulation of decentralized finance (DeFi) in the United States.

Q2: Who is leading the Hyperliquid Policy Center?
The center is led by CEO Jake Chervinsky, a widely recognized legal expert in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, known for his previous role as Chief Legal Officer of Variant Fund and his detailed analysis of crypto regulation.

Q3: How is the Hyperliquid Policy Center funded?
Its initial operations are funded by an endowment of one million HYPE tokens. HYPE is the governance token of the Hyperliquid decentralized exchange, representing a funding model directly tied to the DeFi ecosystem.

Q4: Why is this launch significant for DeFi?
The launch represents a formal, dedicated effort to engage U.S. regulators and lawmakers on the specific technical and policy challenges of DeFi. It aims to move advocacy from general blockchain topics to the precise issues affecting decentralized lending, trading, and borrowing protocols.

Q5: What are the main policy issues the center will likely address?
Key issues include achieving regulatory clarity for decentralized software, developing appropriate consumer protection frameworks for non-custodial systems, and ensuring U.S. policy fosters innovation and competitiveness in the global fintech landscape.

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