Hyperliquid News Today: Community-Driven Restaking Defies Bearish Predictions as HYPE Tokens Stay Strong

Hyperliquid, a decentralized exchange (DEX) known for its high-speed trading infrastructure, unlocked $60.4 million in HYPE tokens for developers and core contributors on November 29, 2025, as part of its predefined vesting schedule. The release of 1.75 million HYPE tokens-valued at current prices-occurred on the first anniversary of the project's historic airdrop, one of the largest and most community-driven token launches in crypto history. Despite initial concerns about market pressure, on-chain data revealed minimal selling activity, with only 23.4% of the unlocked tokens sold over-the-counter (OTC) to Flowdesk, while over 40% were restaked and 35% remained untouched. This outcome defied bearish forecasts, including warnings from BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, who had projected $500 million in monthly sell pressure.

The unlock distribution highlighted a disciplined approach by core contributors. Founder-tier wallets received 170,619 HYPE, senior-tier wallets totaled 1,049,986 HYPE, and mid-tier allocations amounted to 99,998 HYPE, with smaller wallets receiving 30,000 HYPE each. Analyst KirbyCrypto noted that Hyperlabs and team members restaked 33% of the tokens, while four key wallets staked an additional 9%, reinforcing confidence in the platform's ecosystem. The remaining 35% of the unlocked supply stayed in team members' wallets, signaling strong internal support. This behavior contrasts with traditional VC-funded projects, where token dumps often destabilize markets.

Market reaction was muted, with HYPE's price dipping only 1.7% to $33.80 post-unlock. Technical analysis placed the token at the bottom of a falling wedge pattern, suggesting potential for a bullish breakout above the $40 range if it clears key resistance levels. Conversely, a breakdown below $30 could reignite volatility. On-chain metrics also showed increased whale activity at recent lows, indicating accumulation rather than distribution. Analyst Crypto McKenna projected that Hyperliquid's buyback program-averaging $82 million monthly-would outweigh sell-side pressure, even in worst-case scenarios.

The unlock event underscores Hyperliquid's unique position in the DEX landscape. Unlike competitors reliant on venture capital, the project grew organically through community adoption and innovative features like low-latency order execution and governance participation. However, challenges persist, including competition from platforms like Aster and Lighter in the perpetual futures market. Despite these pressures, the November unlock demonstrated resilience, with restaking and holding dominating over selling.

Looking ahead, investors should monitor future unlocks, which follow a 24-month vesting schedule. If restaking and buyback trends continue, HYPE's price trajectory may stabilize, supported by whale accumulation and technical indicators. The event also highlights the importance of real-time on-chain monitoring for assessing liquidity dynamics in crypto markets.