How Hyperliquid’s insanely lucrative airdrop launch changed the game
Hyperliquid achieved the largest airdrop in crypto history, distributing 27.5% of its HYPE token supply to over 94,000 users, resulting in a market value increase from $1 billion to over $7.5 billion. The strategy excluded venture capitalists, fostering community involvement and creating artificial demand that led to organic market interest. Analysts noted that Hyperliquid's egalitarian approach rewarded early users and built a loyal community. The platform's success is attributed to its user-friendly product, high throughput, and competitive fee structure, outperforming rivals like GMX and dYdX. However, experts warn that replicating Hyperliquid's success may be challenging for other projects due to increased market noise and the need for significant attention. Concerns arose regarding security after reports of North Korean hackers testing the platform, highlighting potential vulnerabilities linked to its centralization with only 16 validators.