In the evolving landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi), institutional players are increasingly integrating staking and custody solutions to provide secure access to blockchain yields, reflecting a broader push toward regulated on-chain services.
Institutional DeFi Infrastructure Gains Traction
Anchorage Digital has launched staking support for HYPE tokens on the HyperCORE network, building on its existing custody services for HYPE on HyperEVM. This expansion aims to facilitate greater participation in the Hyperliquid ecosystem, a layer-1 blockchain that powers a decentralized exchange with distinct architectures: HyperEVM for Ethereum-compatible smart contracts and HyperCORE for native staking operations. Staking involves locking cryptocurrency to help secure a blockchain network in return for rewards. The service is available through Anchorage Digital Bank in the United States and Anchorage Digital Singapore, which operates under a Major Payment Institution license. Additionally, staking can be accessed via Porto, Anchorage Digital’s self-custody wallet. The company has partnered with Figment, a staking infrastructure provider, to manage the underlying validator operations. This integration enables support for a wider array of Hyperliquid activities, including interactions with its DeFi ecosystem through Porto and custody for other HyperEVM tokens, such as Kinetiq. Anchorage Digital Bank, established in 2017 and based in San Francisco, holds the distinction of being the only federally chartered cryptocurrency bank in the United States. It functions alongside the broader Anchorage Digital platform to offer these services.
Recent Developments at Anchorage Digital
This HYPE staking initiative follows closely on the heels of Anchorage Digital’s partnership with Mezo, announced two days prior, which provides institutional access to low-cost Bitcoin-backed loans through a DeFi platform. The move underscores Anchorage Digital’s focus on bridging traditional finance with DeFi, allowing institutions to engage with yield-generating opportunities without compromising on security or compliance.
- Key Features of HYPE Staking Support:
- Available across HyperEVM and HyperCORE networks.
- Custody and staking services live for enhanced Hyperliquid ecosystem access.
- Integration with Porto wallet for self-custody options.
No direct quotes from company executives were available in the announcement, but the initiative highlights Anchorage Digital’s commitment to “full support across HyperEVM and HyperCORE,” as stated in their release.
Broader Trends in Institutional DeFi Adoption
Anchorage Digital’s expansion aligns with a surge in institutional involvement in DeFi, where custodians and providers are incorporating staking, lending, and bridging services to meet demand for controlled on-chain yields. Recent examples include:
- Crypto.com’s October announcement enabling users to lend wrapped cryptocurrencies and earn stablecoin yields via the Morpho decentralized lending protocol, with initial vaults planned on the Cronos blockchain later this year.
- Coinbase’s September integration of Morpho directly into its app, allowing users to lend USDC and earn yields up to 10.8% without external wallets.
- Threshold’s November upgrade to its tBTC bridge, simplifying the minting of tBTC on supported chains in a single Bitcoin transaction, aimed at enabling large Bitcoin holders to deploy assets into DeFi more efficiently.
A Binance Research report indicates that DeFi lending protocols experienced a 72% growth from January to September 3, 2025, fueled by increased institutional adoption of stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) as collateral. This trend suggests growing confidence in DeFi’s infrastructure for institutional-scale operations, though risks such as smart contract vulnerabilities remain a noted uncertainty in the sector. As institutional DeFi continues to mature, what could this mean for the future of regulated blockchain yields and broader cryptocurrency adoption?
