Hyperliquid Foundation has opened its low-latency, non-validating node data infrastructure to qualified third-party infrastructure providers, creating a cheaper route for trading firms and developers that previously faced demanding direct access requirements. The change took effect on Aug. 12 and sets a reference price below $1,000 per month, covering computing resources and outbound network traffic.
Before this update, direct peer access to the Foundation node required staking 10,000 HYPE and reaching Tier 1 maker rebate qualification, defined as more than 0.5% of 14-day weighted maker volume. Running an independent non-validating node has always been permissionless, but Foundation connectivity was previously limited to large market makers.
Under the new framework, eligible providers must have at least one year of operating history, serve at least 100 customers, support five or more networks or protocols, maintain 99.9% node availability, and not have been terminated by another network or foundation for a breach in the previous three years. Providers must offer open access and nondiscriminatory pricing, scale automatically as access nodes increase, and are barred from offering faster dedicated connections to selected market makers. Reports of verified preferential treatment may qualify for a Hyper Foundation bug bounty.
The reference price is described as a current benchmark, not a permanently fixed level. The Foundation operates its own nodes because, according to founder Jeff, the network generates a high volume of order, trade, and open-interest data every second, and its nodes have proven more reliable than third-party alternatives.
The access change follows earlier adjustments to Hyperliquid’s public WebSocket feeds. In June, the network directed automated traders needing more order book levels or real-time update streams toward non-validating nodes. This week, Gold-i said its MatrixNET had integrated direct non-validating node connectivity for institutional clients, although Gold-i has not been identified as a participant in the new Foundation provider program.
Hyperliquid controls an estimated 70% of on-chain perpetuals volume, making data quality increasingly relevant for firms competing in its order books. The Foundation-controlled share of staked HYPE has fallen to about 49.3% this year as the validator base expanded. Hyperliquid has not announced a named list of approved providers or a fixed rollout schedule.
