Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) CEO Jeff Sprecher compared decentralized exchange Hyperliquid to Nasdaq at Bernstein’s 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference. Hyperliquid currently operates with approximately 11 employees. The protocol’s native HYPE token surged nearly 10% toward its all-time high following the remarks.
Sprecher highlighted the platform’s efficiency and its ability to trade oil perpetuals while traditional markets are closed. ICE is currently holding discussions with the Hyperliquid team to study its technology and business model. The news also boosted shares of Hyperliquid Strategies Inc. (PURR), a public company that holds HYPE tokens in its treasury.
These comments follow reports that ICE and CME Group requested U.S. regulatory scrutiny of Hyperliquid’s anonymous markets. Sprecher stated the inquiries aim to establish a level regulatory playing field between traditional and decentralized finance.