Balaji frames crypto as both a safeguard for and an evolution of the United States' legal and cultural principles, emphasizing decentralized identity, sovereignty, and the essential role of privacy.
Hyperliquid deliberately integrates only the layers it deems essential--order-books, perps, and the Hyper EVM--while leaving higher-level applications to the community. The team believes that a resilient DeFi stack requires multiple independent options at each layer, fostering robustness and innovation.
The collapse of centralized exchanges gave users a concrete reason to distrust custodial platforms, creating a surge of interest in decentralized alternatives. Jeff describes how the FTX fallout and earlier hacks served as activation energy for Hyperliquid, turning a moment of panic into a lasting shift toward on-chain finance.