HyperEVM: Hyperliquid's EVM layer, explained
HyperEVM is an Ethereum-compatible smart contract environment that runs inside the Hyperliquid L1, secured by the same HyperBFT consensus as the trading engine (HyperCore). It went live on mainnet on 18 February 2025, uses HYPE for gas, and lets apps read from and trade on HyperCore.
HyperCore and HyperEVM
Hyperliquid has two parts that share one blockchain:
- HyperCore holds the order books, perps, spot markets, margin and staking. Trading here is gas-free.
- HyperEVM is a general-purpose Ethereum-compatible environment where anyone can deploy smart contracts: lending markets, DEXs, liquid staking, vaults and more.
The docs are explicit that HyperEVM "is not a separate chain": it is secured by the same HyperBFT consensus as HyperCore. Contracts can read HyperCore data such as order book prices through precompiles, and can send actions to HyperCore through a system contract (CoreWriter), which is how on-chain vaults can trade on Hyperliquid's books.
Launch and rollout
HyperEVM went live on mainnet on 18 February 2025 (The Block). The first release supported HYPE transfers between HyperCore and HyperEVM; broader token transfers and HyperCore interaction were rolled out in later upgrades. Circle launched native USDC on HyperEVM in September 2025 and brought its CCTP cross-chain transfer protocol to Hyperliquid.
Network details
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Chain ID | 999 |
| Public RPC | https://rpc.hyperliquid.xyz/evm |
| Gas token | HYPE |
| Small blocks | Every 1 second, 3M gas limit |
| Big blocks | Every 1 minute, 30M gas limit |
| Explorers listed in docs | hyperevmscan.io, hyperscan.com |
The "dual block" design lets ordinary transactions confirm quickly in small blocks, while large jobs such as contract deployments can opt in to big blocks.
Moving HYPE between HyperCore and HyperEVM
- In the app, use Transfer to/from EVM on the Balances table, or EVM <-> Core Transfer on the Portfolio page.
- Alternatively, HYPE (and only HYPE) can be sent to the system address 0x2222222222222222222222222222222222222222 from spot or from HyperEVM to move it across. Each other spot asset has its own transfer address.
- Moving from HyperEVM to spot costs HYPE gas on HyperEVM; moving from spot to HyperEVM costs a small HYPE fee on HyperCore.
Sending any token other than HYPE to the HYPE system address loses it. Some exchanges support HYPE on HyperCore but not on HyperEVM, so confirm the network before you withdraw from an exchange, and always send a small test amount first.
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Open HyperliquidWhat people use HyperEVM for
- Lending and borrowing against HYPE and other assets.
- Liquid staking: staking HYPE through a protocol that gives you a tradeable token in return (see staking HYPE).
- On-chain vaults that trade HyperCore markets (see vaults).
- DEXs and stablecoins built on top of Hyperliquid liquidity.
Risks
- Third-party smart contracts: HyperEVM apps are not run by Hyperliquid. In September 2025 the HyperEVM lending protocol Hyperdrive was exploited for about $782K; Hyperliquid's core was not affected.
- Approvals and phishing: fake airdrops on HyperEVM drain wallets through malicious token approvals. Revoke approvals you no longer need.
- Gas spikes: throughput is deliberately limited, and gas can spike when demand is high.
- Wrong-network transfers: the most common way people lose funds. Check chain ID 999 and test first.
Frequently asked questions
Is HyperEVM a separate blockchain?
No. It runs inside the Hyperliquid L1 and is secured by the same HyperBFT consensus as HyperCore.
What is the HyperEVM chain ID?
999, with the public RPC https://rpc.hyperliquid.xyz/evm and HYPE as the gas token.
Do I need HyperEVM to trade on Hyperliquid?
No. Trading perps and spot happens on HyperCore, which is gas-free. HyperEVM is only needed for smart contract apps.