Changpeng Zhao Says Trump Is Pushing CFTC to Bring Hyperliquid Into the U.S. Market
Key Takeaways
- •Changpeng Zhao stated at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium on August 19 that President Trump is advocating for CFTC Chairman Michael Selig to facilitate Hyperliquid's entry into the U.S. market.
- •Zhao stepped down as Binance CEO in late 2023 as part of the exchange's $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities but remains its largest shareholder.
- •Hyperliquid is a decentralized exchange operating on its own purpose-built Layer-1 blockchain, and many decentralized venues have previously restricted or excluded U.S. customers amid unsettled federal rules.
- •The CFTC has jurisdiction over derivatives markets, making it the key regulator for perpetual contracts, which are derivatives rather than securities.
- •Hyperliquid has recorded no trading volume or price fluctuations to date, and pending market-structure legislation in Congress could shape how DEXs register and operate domestically.

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has revealed new details about Hyperliquid's push into the U.S. market. Speaking at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium on August 19, Zhao said President Trump is advocating for CFTC Chairman Michael Selig to help facilitate the move, as reported by Wu Blockchain on X. Zhao, who stepped down as Binance CEO in late 2023 as part of the exchange's $4.3 billion settlement with U.S. authorities but remains its largest shareholder, has stayed active as a public commentator on industry policy. An entry backed by regulatory support would mark a significant shift for decentralized trading services and could expand market opportunities for U.S. users and exchanges.
The Story So Far
The broader crypto market is currently sending mixed signals, with momentum varying across major assets. Hyperliquid, which focuses on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and runs its trading infrastructure on its own purpose-built Layer-1 blockchain, could see substantial growth if it is permitted to operate in the U.S. market. That question has long been the bottleneck: many decentralized venues have restricted or excluded U.S. customers outright while federal rules for on-chain trading platforms remained unsettled, leaving American users with limited access to decentralized perpetual futures. Zhao emphasized that the implications extend beyond a single platform: the development could also benefit other DEXs and centralized exchanges by increasing liquidity and improving execution efficiency for traders.
What We Know
- Hyperliquid aims to enter the U.S. market with regulatory support.
- President Trump is facilitating talks with CFTC Chair Michael Selig.
- Zhao believes this model could enhance the entire crypto ecosystem.
- The move could lead to more perpetual DEXs being established.
- Increased U.S. liquidity may improve execution prices for crypto users.
The Numbers
Hyperliquid has not recorded any trading volume or price fluctuations so far, indicating that its market activity remains at an early stage. The absence of price movement underscores the speculative nature of the announcement and the anticipation surrounding regulatory developments. This backdrop sets the stage for how traders will respond to future news regarding Hyperliquid's compliance and operational framework.
Hyperliquid is a decentralized trading platform that aims to provide users with innovative trading solutions. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has jurisdiction over derivatives markets, making it a key regulatory body for Hyperliquid's potential U.S. operations. That jurisdiction is consequential because perpetual contracts, a core product of decentralized derivatives venues, are derivatives products rather than securities, and the CFTC has long treated major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin as commodities. The CFTC's stance on decentralized platforms will significantly influence Hyperliquid's entry strategy. The agency's engagement also comes amid a broader digital-asset push by the current administration, which has advanced crypto policy through executive action and the stablecoin legislation signed into law in July 2025.
The Road Ahead
Traders should closely monitor the regulatory landscape as Hyperliquid seeks to establish its presence in the U.S. Increased clarity from the CFTC could pave the way for more decentralized exchanges. Pending market-structure legislation in Congress would further define how authority over digital assets is divided between the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and its outcome could shape how DEXs register and operate domestically. Market participants will also be watching for changes in liquidity dynamics and execution efficiency as more platforms emerge in response to this regulatory push.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Source: Coinfomania