In a striking endorsement for the cryptocurrency market, Bob Diamond, the former CEO of Barclays, has expressed strong bullish sentiment on Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE, highlighting its “extraordinary growth potential” after conducting deep research into the project. Speaking in a recent interview, Diamond emphasized HYPE’s unique position, stating, “HYPE is the only one in the Top 10 coins that hasn’t been around in a decade.” His comments, amplified by posts on X on August 19, 2025, have ignited excitement in the crypto community, particularly as Hyperliquid continues to dominate decentralized finance (DeFi) trading volumes.
With HYPE trading at approximately $43.58 as of August 20, 2025, and ranking as the 15th largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Diamond’s endorsement adds significant credibility to the token’s prospects. Below, we explore the details of his statement, Hyperliquid’s fundamentals, and the implications for investors and the broader crypto market.
Bob Diamond’s Bullish Stance on HYPE
Bob Diamond, now chairman of Hyperliquid Strategies Inc. (HSI), made his remarks in the context of HSI’s formation through a reverse merger with Sonnet BioTherapeutics, backed by Atlas Merchant Capital and Paradigm. His key points include:
- Deep Research: Diamond revealed that his team conducted extensive due diligence on Hyperliquid and its native token, HYPE, concluding that it offers a “differentiated offering” in the digital asset space due to its high-performance blockchain and trading infrastructure.
- Unique Market Position: He noted that HYPE, launched in November 2024, is the only Top 10 (or near-Top 10) cryptocurrency not established for a decade, highlighting its rapid rise to a $12.7 billion market cap and its potential for further growth.
- Strategic Opportunity: As HSI’s chairman, Diamond emphasized the strategic nature of the firm’s $583 million initial holding of 12.6 million HYPE tokens, with plans to acquire $305 million more, signaling strong institutional confidence.
Diamond’s comments align with HSI’s creation as a crypto treasury firm focused on HYPE, aiming to build one of the largest institutional reserves of a single altcoin. His involvement, given his tenure as Barclays CEO from 2011 to 2012, brings traditional finance credibility to Hyperliquid’s ecosystem.
Hyperliquid and HYPE: Fundamentals Driving Growth
Hyperliquid, launched in 2023, is a decentralized exchange (DEX) and high-performance Layer-1 blockchain designed to rival centralized exchanges (CEXs) like Binance in speed and user experience while maintaining DeFi’s transparency. Its key features include:
- HyperCore: A high-speed trading platform with on-chain order books, supporting over 200,000 orders per second for spot and perpetual futures trading.
- HyperEVM: An Ethereum-compatible smart contract layer, enabling developers to build DeFi applications that tap into Hyperliquid’s liquidity.
- HYPE Token: Used for staking, governance, trading incentives, and value capture, HYPE is the 15th largest cryptocurrency with a $12.7 billion market cap and over $1 trillion in cumulative trading volume.
Recent data underscores Hyperliquid’s dominance:
- Trading Volume: Over $10 billion in daily trading volume, with spot trading at $250-$500 million daily, capturing 5-8% of Binance’s market share and up to 25% of Bybit’s.
- Revenue Growth: Hyperliquid captured 35% of blockchain revenue in July 2025, with daily transaction fees of $2-3 million and annual revenue nearing $100 million.
- Token Buybacks: The platform’s assistance fund has repurchased 151,000 HYPE tokens in a 48-hour period, equivalent to an annual buyback capacity of $686 million, reducing circulating supply.
Analysts like McKenna have projected HYPE could reach $77 based on revenue multiples, while others, like Altcoin Sherpa, caution about short-term pullbacks after its rapid rise from $9 to over $40.
Why Diamond’s Endorsement Matters
Diamond’s bullish outlook carries significant weight:
- Institutional Credibility: As a former Barclays CEO, Diamond’s involvement with HSI and endorsement of HYPE signal growing Wall Street interest, following moves like Goldman Sachs’ $1.558 billion in Bitcoin ETF holdings.
- Market Impact: HSI’s $888 million commitment to HYPE (including planned purchases) could drive demand, especially with HYPE’s deflationary mechanics via buybacks and burns.
- Unique Positioning: Diamond’s point about HYPE’s rapid rise to the Top 10 (or near-Top 10) highlights its potential to disrupt established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- Broader Adoption: Hyperliquid’s infrastructure, including the upcoming HyperEVM launch, positions it to attract DeFi projects, potentially increasing HYPE’s utility and value.
Social media reactions on X, such as “Former Barclays CEO says after deep research into $HYPE and #Hyperliquid, he saw extraordinary growth potential,” have garnered thousands of views, reflecting community enthusiasm.
Current Market Context
As of August 20, 2025, HYPE is trading at $43.58, down slightly but up significantly since its $2 launch in November 2024. The broader crypto market, with Bitcoin at $113,846, is supported by:
- Institutional Inflows: Pension funds like New York’s $208 billion fund increasing Bitcoin exposure by 143% and firms like Goldman Sachs betting big.
- Regulatory Progress: The Federal Reserve’s framework for banks to offer crypto services and Senator Cynthia Lummis’s confirmation of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act’s 2025 passage.
- Global Trends: Buenos Aires accepting crypto for taxes and corporate adoptions like Goobit Group’s 10.63 BTC purchase.
The FOMC minutes, released today at 2:00 p.m. ET, could influence short-term sentiment, with a dovish tone potentially boosting altcoins like HYPE.
Implications for Investors
Diamond’s endorsement offers key insights for crypto investors:
- Growth Potential: HYPE’s rapid rise and institutional backing suggest significant upside, with analysts targeting $77 or higher.
- Volatility Risks: Short-term pullbacks are possible, as noted by Altcoin Sherpa. Investors should monitor market sentiment and FOMC outcomes.
- Secure Strategies: Use regulated platforms like Hyperliquid’s DEX, Bitget, or Gate.io to trade HYPE, and store assets in secure wallets.
- Long-Term Opportunity: As Hyperliquid captures DeFi market share, HYPE’s role in staking and governance could drive sustained value.
Final Thoughts: HYPE’s Extraordinary Potential
Bob Diamond’s bullish stance on HYPE, backed by his deep research and HSI’s $888 million commitment, positions Hyperliquid as a standout in the crypto market. His observation that HYPE is the only recent entrant among top cryptocurrencies underscores its disruptive potential. With Hyperliquid’s robust fundamentals, institutional support, and regulatory tailwinds, HYPE could see significant growth, aligning with predictions of “trillions incoming” for the broader crypto market.
As the crypto community rallies behind this endorsement, investors should stay vigilant, especially with today’s FOMC minutes release. Stay tuned for updates on HYPE price movements, Hyperliquid’s progress, and more crypto insights as this transformative story unfolds.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry risks.