What is Kinetiq Staked HYPE (kHYPE)?
Kinetiq Staked HYPE (kHYPE) is a non-custodial liquid staking token issued by the Kinetiq protocol on Hyperliquid L1. It represents staked HYPE tokens and allows holders to earn staking rewards while maintaining liquidity to participate in the Hyperliquid DeFi ecosystem.
Kinetiq launched kHYPE in July 2025 and rapidly grew to over $2 billion in TVL by October 2025, establishing itself as the leading liquid staking solution on Hyperliquid.
How kHYPE Works
When users deposit HYPE into Kinetiq, they receive kHYPE as a yield-bearing representation of their staked position. The protocol automatically delegates staked HYPE to top-performing Hyperliquid validators through StakeHub, Kinetiq's autonomous validator scoring and delegation system.
kHYPE uses a value-accruing model where the token's exchange rate to HYPE increases over time as staking rewards accumulate. Users can unstake by converting kHYPE back to HYPE, subject to an approximately 8-9 day unbonding period and a 0.10% fee.
Key Features
Automated Delegation: StakeHub optimizes validator selection based on performance metrics, removing the need for users to manually choose validators. DeFi Composability: kHYPE can be used as collateral for borrowing, supplied to liquidity pools on DEXs, or integrated into other Hyperliquid DeFi products. Non-Custodial: Users maintain ownership of their staked assets through the protocol's smart contracts. Institutional Option: Kinetiq also offers iHYPE, a distinct liquid staking solution tailored for institutional clients.Risks
Protocol Risk: Kinetiq is a newer protocol with less operational history than established LST providers. Validator Risk: Despite automated selection, delegated validators could face slashing or underperformance. Smart Contract Risk: Protocol vulnerabilities could affect user funds. Network Risk: Hyperliquid L1 is a relatively new network with its own risk profile. Unbonding Period: The 8-9 day unstaking delay creates liquidity risk during market volatility.Data Disclaimer
TVL and APY figures are sourced from on-chain data and may fluctuate. Data as of February 2026.