How Hyperliquid Staking Works: Delegation and Rewards

Anyone can delegate their HYPE tokens to validators on Hyperliquid. Validators may charge a commission on staking rewards, typically 1–5%. To protect delegators, validators are only allowed to increase their commission by a maximum of 1% at a time. This prevents scenarios where validators attract large delegations and then exploit them by sharply raising fees.

When staking, validators and delegators interact with two types of accounts:

1. Spot Account: Your primary wallet account on Hyperliquid.

2. Staking Account: The account where your HYPE tokens must be held to stake.

Transfers from your Spot Account to your Staking Account are instant. However, transferring assets from your Staking Account to your Spot Account requires a 7-day waiting period. Additionally, once you delegate to a validator, there is a 1-day delay before you can partially or fully undelegate your staked tokens.

Staking Rewards Distribution

The staking reward formula on Hyperliquid follows a model inspired by Ethereum, where rewards are inversely proportional to the square root of the total HYPE staked. Rewards are automatically distributed and redelegated to the corresponding validator. The staking rewards come from the protocol’s token emissions reserve.

What to Look for When Choosing a Hyperliquid Validator

Consider these key attributes when choosing the best Hyperliquid validator to stake your HYPE tokens.

1. Commission Rates: The portion of staking rewards the validator takes as a fee. Lower commission means more rewards for the delegator, but finding a validator that balances low fees with reliable uptime is important.

2. Reliable uptime: A validator with consistent uptime ensures your stake will earn rewards continuously and reduces the risk of slashing due to missed blocks from the validator's inactivity.

3. Validator's background: Evaluate the validator's reputation and involvement in other blockchain networks to assess credibility and long-term alignment with the broader blockchain ecosystem.

Top Hyperliquid Validators

We'll showcase our handpicked top Hyperliquid validators based on the key attributes discussed in the previous section, including commission rates, reliability, and the validator's background. To explore the full validator set and monitor validator performance in real time, visit the Hyperliquid Staking Portal.

1. Imperator

   
   

   Imperator is one of the top Hyperliquid validators, striking a strong balance between a competitive commission rate and a track record of reliable uptime. The team operates across many blockchain networks, supporting over 50 protocols as of this writing. Imperator offers an intuitive onboarding experience for new delegators looking to stake their HYPE tokens.

   
   

2. Bharvest

   
   

   Bharvest is a strong option for delegators looking for a proven validator. It supports over 13 blockchain protocols and has more than 16,000 active delegators. The validator maintains a good balance between consistent uptime and a competitive commission rate, making it a reliable choice within the Hyperliquid validator set.

   
   

3. Foundation Node

   
   

   Foundation Node is operated directly by the Hyperliquid team and offers a high level of security and reliability. The foundation currently runs 5 validators on the network, all demonstrating consistent uptime and maintaining a low commission rate. As the protocol’s official validator, it is a stable and trusted option for HYPE delegators.

   
   

4. Hypurrscanning

   
   

   Hypurrscanning is run by the team behind HypurrScan, Hyperliquid's primary block explorer. The validator has earned a strong reputation within the community for its reliability and low commission rate. With consistently strong uptime metrics and close alignment with Hyperliquid’s infrastructure, it’s a popular choice for delegators who value transparency and performance.