In a submit on X (previously Twitter), James Wynn, the favored high-volume dealer on the decentralized alternate Hyperliquid, publicly criticized the platform’s referral incentives and warned that its days may very well be numbered if it fails to evolve.
His feedback come amid rising anticipation for a brand new decentralized alternate (DEX) being developed by Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, one which guarantees to protect massive merchants from front-running and liquidation dangers.
Wynn wrote in his submit that he hasn’t been paid a single cent by Hyperliquid. He acknowledged, “I reached out on two events hoping to get some type of partnership deal for all the consideration I used to be bringing them, and though they appeared grateful, they don’t provide such offers to anybody.”
Although Wynn acknowledges Hyperliquid’s decentralized nature could clarify its lack of conventional sponsorship constructions, his frustration was clear.
Regardless of producing excessive site visitors and buying and selling quantity for the platform, Wynn claims to have made solely $34,000 by means of referrals, an quantity he describes as “extraordinarily poor” given the size of his affect.
Wynn additionally criticized Hyperliquid’s referral program stating that this system sucks. He went on to state that different platforms have much better referral applications
The liquidations that presumably sparked the outburst
Wynn’s feedback observe main and publicly chronicled liquidations on the Hyperliquid DEX. In one of many largest capitulations in late Might, his large lengthy place, reportedly value over $1.1 billion in Bitcoin, was liquidated to the tune of $100 million in full view of the market after Bitcoin fell beneath $105,000.
The visibility of his open place raised suspicions that he could have been “hunted” by different merchants who took benefit of the clear order e-book, a controversial function in decentralized finance.
The incident sparked debate throughout crypto Twitter, resulting in questions in regards to the present DEX designs and the way they expose massive merchants to manipulation.
Wynn’s submit appeared to echo the ache of that occasion and pointed squarely to what he sees as the answer: a brand new type of DEX that retains massive trades non-public.
CZ’s darkish pool DEX enters the combo
Wynn’s warning to Hyperliquid comes simply as CZ, the founding father of Binance, is getting ready to launch a brand new “darkish pool” Perpetuals DEX.
In response to CZ, this new platform will permit customers to deposit property on-chain however place orders privately, a mannequin designed to forestall front-running, MEV (miner extractable worth), and liquidation assaults.
CZ acknowledged in his submit on X, “In case you are seeking to buy $1 billion value of tokens, you typically wouldn’t need others to note your order till it’s accomplished.”
Whereas particulars stay scarce, the undertaking is already being touted as a possible game-changer for DeFi.
Wynn expects CZ to win until Hyperliquid ‘ranges up’
In his critique, Wynn clarified that he sees CZ’s entry into the DEX market as a severe menace to present gamers.
“When CZ launches a darkish pool perps DEX, it is going to put an finish to HyperLiquid,” he warned. “CZ has the cash, community, and groups to construct one thing like no different. Have a look at what he’s finished with Binance.”
Whereas this will look like an endorsement of CZ’s new enterprise, it’s additionally a name to arms for Hyperliquid, a sign that the platform should enhance not solely its incentive construction but additionally its technical structure if it needs to retain its consumer base.
Wynn acknowledged, “I hope this encourages HyperLiquid to degree up… as they’ll quickly be outweighed by higher competitors.”

Hyperliquid has a robust lead within the perpetual DEX market. Supply: Coinmarketcap
For now, Hyperliquid stays the runaway chief within the perpetual DEX market, sustaining an virtually upward-only trajectory because it launched. It holds a dominant 62% of the market share, with Aster because the closest competitor with about 27%. Hyperliquid additionally processed about $2.57B within the final 24 hours, greater than double Aster’s $1.12B.

