
Overview
Moving assets between different blockchains or within their layer 2 services can often be complicated. Hyperliquid’s recent update has made these transfers smoother for its users and developers, enhancing the overall experience in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
Key Points:
- The new update from Hyperliquid allows for the direct linking of tokens on the HyperCore and HyperEVM platforms, making it straightforward for both users and developers in the DeFi space.
- This linking requires a ‘spot deployer’ that aligns token supply on both ends and proposes an ERC20 contract on HyperEVM to synchronize with their token.
- Users can now access Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem seamlessly from within the Hyperliquid ecosystem, minimizing reliance on external intermediaries, which often pose security challenges.
The DeFi sector serves as a considerable source of value realization and income generation for cryptocurrency projects. Despite its advantages, users frequently find themselves overwhelmed by the intricacies involved in navigating different blockchains, bridges, wallets, and tokens.
A recent technical update by Hyperliquid simplifies this process, enabling the direct connection of tokens across HyperCore and HyperEVM platforms.
HyperCore operates as Hyperliquid’s native platform for spot assets, while HyperEVM serves as an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) network executing contracts on Ethereum. By creating a link between tokens on these platforms, transferring tokens now involves straightforward actions, such as a ‘spotSend’ on HyperCore or a simple ERC-20 transfer on HyperEVM.
Linking a core spot token to an EVM spot token requires coordination. Initially, the token’s ‘spot deployer’ ensures equivalent token supply across both platforms before dispatching a ‘spot deploy action’ that suggests an ERC-20 contract on HyperEVM for pairing.
To finalize the process, verification is essential. If the contract on the EVM was deployed directly by a person, they certify it through a unique transaction nonce; if by another contract such as a multisig, the first storage slot must indicate the address of the HyperCore deployer. Eventually, a ‘finalize’ action secures the link, ensuring both sides are aligned.
This capability empowers users to utilize Ethereum’s DeFi functionalities—like lending, borrowing, and trading—without completely exiting the Hyperliquid environment.
Importance of This Update
These enhancements mark a notable evolution in how tokens can be moved across ecosystems, which is crucial in today’s digital asset landscape. For instance, in Ethereum where billions are tied up in platforms like Aave or Uniswap, transferring tokens from external networks such as Solana usually necessitates a bridge connecting the two. This reliance on bridges can introduce security vulnerabilities, given their historical exploitation.
Even within the Ethereum space, transferring assets between the mainnet and layer 2 systems (like Optimism or Arbitrum) isn’t necessarily straightforward. Hyperliquid’s innovation contrasts with merely adding bridges; instead, it integrates HyperCore—a specialized platform designed for rapid spot trading—with HyperEVM, which connects with Ethereum’s DeFi resources.
Allowing direct token migration between these systems eliminates the need for third-party validators, thereby simplifying the product creation for developers and making it more accessible for newcomers to the crypto domain.
While the process is impressive, Hyperliquid has advised users of potential risks, including unverified contracts or supply discrepancies already noted as of Tuesday.