Kinetiq Hyperliquid is the largest liquid staking protocol built natively on the Hyperliquid blockchain, enabling HYPE holders to stake and receive kHYPE while retaining full DeFi composability.
Since its launch on July 15, 2025, Kinetiq Hyperliquid has grown into foundational Hyperliquid infrastructure — powering kHYPE liquid staking, StakeHub validator management, Markets by Kinetiq, Kinetiq Earn, iHYPE institutional staking, and the KNTQ governance token.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kinetiq Hyperliquid?
Kinetiq Hyperliquid is the largest liquid staking protocol built natively on the Hyperliquid blockchain. It enables users to stake HYPE tokens and receive kHYPE, a liquid staking token that earns staking rewards automatically while remaining fully usable across DeFi protocols on HyperEVM.
What is kHYPE?
kHYPE (Kinetiq Staked HYPE) is a non-rebasing liquid staking token issued by Kinetiq. When users stake HYPE through Kinetiq, they receive kHYPE, which represents their staked position plus accumulated rewards. The kHYPE-to-HYPE exchange rate appreciates over time as validator rewards compound.
How does Kinetiq liquid staking work?
Users deposit HYPE into Kinetiq's audited smart contracts and receive kHYPE tokens instantly. The deposited HYPE is delegated to high-performing validators via StakeHub, Kinetiq's autonomous validator management system. Staking rewards are added to the pool, increasing the kHYPE redemption value over time. Users can use kHYPE across DeFi while earning staking yield.
What is the KNTQ token?
KNTQ is the governance token of the Kinetiq protocol, launched on November 27, 2025 on Hyperliquid. It has a maximum supply of 1 billion tokens. KNTQ holders can vote on protocol parameters, and staking KNTQ (sKNTQ) entitles holders to buybacks funded by protocol revenue.
What is iHYPE institutional staking?
iHYPE is Kinetiq's institution-only liquid staking pool designed for KYB/KYC-compliant entities. It features private risk-isolated pools, custom validator control, branded LST tickers, and regulated infrastructure. Hyperion DeFi, Inc. (NASDAQ: HYPD) is the first institutional depositor.
Is Kinetiq audited?
Yes. Kinetiq has completed eight independent security audits conducted by firms including Spearbit, Code4rena, Pashov, and Zenith. Kinetiq also operates a $5 million bug bounty program through Cantina, the largest bug bounty on HyperEVM.
FAQ
General questions
Q: What is Kinetiq?
A: Kinetiq is a protocol built on Hyperliquid that allows users to stake HYPE and receive kHYPE — a liquid staking token that earns rewards from validator performance while remaining usable in DeFi.
Q: What is kHYPE?
A: kHYPE is a liquid staking token for HYPE. It accrues yield passively as validators write data to the Hyperliquid blockchain. It’s usable across DeFi and grows in value over time.
Q: How is this different from staking HYPE directly?
A: Staking through Kinetiq gives you a liquid, reward-accruing token (kHYPE). You don’t need to pick validators or manage delegation. Your kHYPE grows in value and can be traded or used in DeFi.
Q: How does kHYPE accrue rewards?
A: kHYPE increases in value relative to HYPE as rewards accrue. The amount of kHYPE in your wallet remains constant — but its redemption value in HYPE grows.
Q: Why is the exchange rate not 1:1?
A: As time passes, the kHYPE:HYPE exchange rate increases due to validator rewards. For example, 1 kHYPE might be worth 1.05 HYPE after a year.
Q: How does kHYPE compare to rebasing tokens?
A: Unlike rebasing tokens (which increase in quantity), kHYPE is a reward-accrual model where value increases via exchange rate, keeping the token count stable and DeFi-compatible.
Staking & rewards
Q: How long does it take to start earning?
A: Immediately. As soon as you stake HYPE, your kHYPE begins accruing rewards.
Q: Do I need to claim rewards?
A: No. Rewards auto-compound into the kHYPE:HYPE exchange rate. No action needed.
Q: Is there a minimum staking amount?
A: Yes, a minimum of 5 HYPE. This is due to some technical implementations. For amounts <5 units we suggest conducting a swap from HYPE to kHYPE via supported DEXs.
Q: Can I stake more later?
A: Yes! You can stake additional HYPE at any time and receive kHYPE at the current exchange rate.
Q: What’s the current APY?
A: APY varies based on validator performance and amount of stake. Returns are visible via the kHYPE:HYPE exchange rate and the protocol dashboard.
Q: I just want passive yield. What’s the easiest option?
A: Check out the Kinetiq Earn Vault. It automatically deploys your kHYPE into high-yield strategies with no management required.
Q: I prefer to manage my own DeFi strategies. Can I do that?
A: Yes. You can use kHYPE directly in supported DeFi integrations like lending markets, CDP platforms, and yield trading protocols.
Q: Can I switch between Earn Vault and DIY?
A: Absolutely. You can withdraw from the Earn Vault at any time and redeploy your kHYPE manually—or vice versa.
Q: Which option earns more yield?
A: It depends on market conditions and your strategy. The Earn Vault is optimized for convenience and steady returns, while DIY gives you more control to potentially chase higher yields.
Withdrawals & timing
Q: How do I unstake my kHYPE?
A: You can:
Unstake: Initiate unstaking, wait approximately 8–9 days, then confirm the withdrawal.
Swap instantly: Trade kHYPE on a supported DEX for immediate liquidity.
Q: Is there a delay before I can withdraw?
A: Unstaking has an approximately 8–9 day unstaking period.
Q: Can I cancel an unstake?
A: No. Once unstaking has been initiated, it cannot be cancelled by the user.
Q: Does kHYPE earn rewards during the unstaking period?
A: No. kHYPE stops earning rewards once unstaking is initiated.
Safety & security
Q: Is Kinetiq secure?
A: Yes. All contracts are:
Audited by Spearbit, Zenith, Pashov, and Code4rena.
Verified on-chain.
Protected by multi-sig administrative access controls.
Emergency pause functionality
Security is of the highest priority. Any future upgrades will be thoroughly reviewed.
A: Currently, Hyperliquid has no slashing — however it is entirely possible that it is enforced in the future and therefore must be communicated as a future risk in the event that Kinetiq allocates stake to validators that due suffer a slashing event by not abiding by the rules of the network. For more information as to how StakeHub mitigates this risk, visit StakeHub
Q: Is there insurance or coverage?
A: While not explicitly insured, risk mitigation is achieved via audits, diversification, emergency tools, and conservative strategies. While today there are no exogenous protocols that offer insurance coverage on Kinetiq / kHYPE risks, perhaps in the future there may be.
Q: Is kHYPE safe for DeFi use?
A: Yes — it’s a standard ERC-20 token. Use only with trusted DeFi protocols.
Technical details
Q: How is the exchange rate calculated?
A: Validator rewards flow into the protocol and increase the exchange rate between kHYPE and HYPE. This rate updates daily based on actual performance.
Q: What is StakeHub?
A: StakeHub is Kinetiq’s automated validator scoring and delegation engine. It scores validators and rebalances stake continuously.
Q: Can I choose my own validators?
A: No — StakeHub handles validator selection to maximize performance and safety.
Q: What chain is Kinetiq on?
A: Kinetiq is native to Hyperliquid, using its L1 and HyperEVM environments.
Q: How often does StakeHub rebalance?
A: Continuously — triggered by validator performance shifts, slashing risk, or new high-performing entrants.
Troubleshooting
Q: I don’t see my kHYPE in my wallet.
A: Add it manually using this address: 0xfD739d4e423301CE9385c1fb8850539D657C296D
A: Yes — all contracts are verified and available for integration.
Q: Are APIs available?
A: Standard blockchain RPCs apply. Dedicated APIs are in development.
Q: Can institutions use Kinetiq?
A: Yes. Contact the team for institutional onboarding.
Q: Are there rate limits?
A: None at the protocol level. Standard blockchain limits may apply.
kPoints questions
Q: When are kPoints distributed?
A: Snapshots are taken every Tuesday. Distributions occur every Thursday.
Q: How many kPoints are distributed?
A: 800,000 kPoints are distributed weekly.
Q: Can you tell me the exact formula?
A: No. The kPoints formula is private and will not be disclosed under any circumstances. Continued questioning about the formula in Discord may result in muting, timeouts, or bans.
