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HYPE breaks to a new record above $60 as Grayscale, Bitwise accelerate buying

Reported by Cryptopolitan ·Cryptorank
May 21, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Hyperliquid's HYPE token surged to a new record above $60, driven by accelerated institutional buying from Grayscale and Bitwise, both of which filed for spot HYPE ETFs to trade on major exchanges (Nasdaq under ticker GHYP for Grayscale).
  • • Bitwise identified HYPE as "one of crypto's most undervalued" assets, signaling institutional conviction in the token's fundamental value despite earlier volatility that saw the asset depreciate 22% from prior peaks to around $46.
  • • HYPE's institutional rebranding from "DeFi app" classification to a globally-recognized asset class has accelerated following ETF filing momentum, with the token now ranked as the 14th largest cryptocurrency by market value.
  • • Grayscale expanded its Q2 crypto watchlist to include HYPE alongside TON and TRX, positioning the token for broader institutional adoption through traditional investment vehicles pending regulatory approval.
  • • The ETF race between Grayscale and Bitwise represents a critical milestone for HYPE's legitimacy in institutional portfolios, as both firms advanced SEC iterations for spot ETF approvals on major trading venues.
Summary
Hyperliquid's HYPE token reached a new record price above $60 as major institutional investors Grayscale and Bitwise accelerated their buying positions and filed for spot exchange-traded funds to bring the asset to mainstream investors. The filing activity marks a watershed moment for HYPE's institutional adoption trajectory, with Grayscale's proposed ETF set to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GHYP pending regulatory approval.

Bitwise's public positioning of HYPE as one of crypto's most undervalued assets underscores institutional conviction in the token's fundamental value proposition. The characterization comes as HYPE has demonstrated resilience across multiple market cycles, with the asset recovering despite earlier volatility that had driven prices down to approximately $46 and reflected a 22% depreciation from prior highs. This repricing reflects the market's reassessment of HYPE's utility and positioning.

Both Grayscale and Bitwise have filed for spot HYPE ETFs, a significant regulatory milestone that signals the cryptocurrency's evolution from niche DeFi infrastructure to a globally-recognized asset class eligible for institutional capital allocation. The ETF structure provides qualified institutional investors—hedge funds, family offices, and pension funds—with regulated custody and trading mechanisms on major exchanges. Grayscale's Q2 crypto watchlist expansion, which added HYPE alongside tokens including TON and TRX, demonstrates the firm's broader strategic positioning in emerging blockchain ecosystems.

Market data shows HYPE now ranks as the 14th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The token's price performance has benefited from institutional demand flowing ahead of ETF approvals, a pattern consistent with historical crypto asset price appreciation preceding regulatory clearance for traditional investment vehicles. The convergence of institutional buying and ETF filing activity has positioned HYPE for potential sustained price appreciation, contingent on regulatory approval and continued institutional adoption.

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Sources

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AlphaMaven summarised this story from the reporting below. Each link opens the original article.

Cryptopolitan HYPE breaks to a new record above $60 as Grayscale, Bitwise accelerate buying Cryptorank HYPE breaks to a new record above $60 as Grayscale, Bitwise accelerate buying