Hyperliquid Co-founder Jeff Yan says 24-hour clock is not onchain finance’s true differentiator

Hyperliquid co-founder Jeff Yan argued at Korea Blockchain Week 2026 that the primary value proposition of onchain finance is self-custody and transparency rather than 24/7 trading capabilities. While traditional exchanges are increasingly extending their operating hours, Yan emphasized that onchain systems provide a critical advantage by allowing users to retain control of their funds, mitigating counterparty and intermediary risks. He noted that the inherent neutrality of blockchain systems fosters a level of trust that centralized, private organizations cannot replicate. Despite the lack of mass-market appeal for technical transparency, Yan highlighted its importance for system integrity during critical market events. The discussion extended to the potential for tokenizing private markets, which are currently gate-kept and restricted by traditional financial structures. By enabling global price discovery for private assets on platforms like Hyperliquid, the industry could democratize access to wealth-generating opportunities. This shift represents a move toward a more inclusive global financial system that operates beyond the constraints of individual jurisdictions.