Jeffrey Yan: "24/7 Trading Will Expand Liquidity... Transparency Is Key to On-Chain Finance" [KBW 2026]

[Financial News] Jeffrey Yan, founder and CEO of Hyperliquid Labs, expects 24/7 trading in financial markets to expand liquidity. He said on-chain finance can break down closed financial systems and ensure transparency by allowing users to trade anything, anytime and anywhere.
Speaking at the main conference of Korea Blockchain Week 2026 (KBW 2026), held on the 30th at WALKERHILL HOTELS & RESORTS in Seoul, Yan said, "One of the characteristics of on-chain markets that distinguishes them from traditional markets is that they allow 24/7 trading." He added, "By bringing in many sellers and buyers, they enable the formation of a more efficient and liquid market for everyone."
Hyperliquid Labs is a blockchain technology company that developed Hyperliquid, an on-chain derivatives trading platform that operates 24/7. It has built its own trading infrastructure so users can trade perpetual futures and spot products on the blockchain without depositing their assets with centralized exchanges.
Yan emphasized that transparency, beyond 24/7 trading, is the biggest differentiator of on-chain finance. Unlike existing financial systems, users maintain direct control of their assets instead of entrusting them to intermediaries, allowing them to directly verify transactions and asset flows.
Yan said, "It is very important that users can, in theory, know everything that happens in the system." He added, "I believe financial systems advance when they reduce risk and become more resilient by distributing authority rather than concentrating it at the center."
As a result, he expects major changes in financial sectors that have traditionally operated in closed environments. He cited private markets as a prime example. Private markets currently generate considerable wealth within closed-off areas, but ordinary investors face difficulties entering them.
Yan said, "A great deal of wealth is being created in highly closed-off ways." He pointed out, "Even when there is no intention to exclude anyone, the reality is that it ends up being done in a way that excludes most people." He added, "I believe the global financial system has the potential to break this trend." He continued, "The ability to trade anything, anytime and anywhere around the world, 24/7, could have a very significant impact."
He also assessed that positive changes are emerging in institutional investors' participation in on-chain markets. During his visit to Korea, institutions showed strong interest in Hyperliquid, and he observed moves to build services directly on the platform.
Yan said, "Institutions naturally take time to adopt new technologies because they have a lot to protect." He added, "Even so, this year I have felt that institutions are showing a great deal of interest and enthusiasm, and I find it highly encouraging that we can collaborate with the traditional financial sector."
He also emphasized that the tokenization market is open to every organization. He said, "Large institutions or organizations may have stronger networks, but that is not essential in the tokenization market." He added, "Smaller organizations can be more flexible and view the market from new perspectives, so I think they may actually have more opportunities."
[email protected] Seo Min-ji and Kim Tae-hyun Reporter