Hyperliquid has thrown open its prediction markets to anyone with the activation of the HIP-4 upgrade, a move that removes previous access restrictions. The change took effect over the weekend, and by Monday morning traders were already placing bets on everything from crypto prices to geopolitical events. The upgrade is the latest step in the platform's push to become a go-to venue for decentralized speculation.
What HIP-4 changes
Before HIP-4, Hyperliquid's prediction markets were limited to whitelisted users or required a minimum stake. The upgrade eliminates those barriers, letting anyone connect a wallet and start trading. The team behind the platform said the goal is to increase liquidity and attract a broader user base. No specific cap on the number of markets was mentioned, but early activity suggests a flood of new contracts.
The timing is notable. A sharp selloff in oil prices has pushed broader markets into the green ahead of Monday's open. Crude dropped more than 3% in overnight trading, dragging energy stocks lower but giving a lift to sectors that benefit from lower input costs. That tailwind is spilling into crypto, where traders are eyeing a risk-on start to the week.
PUMP's surprising run
Among altcoins, PUMP is leading the weekly gainers — and the move caught many off guard. The token, which often flies under the radar, has rallied more than 40% in the past seven days. Volume spiked over the weekend, and on-chain data shows a surge in new addresses accumulating the asset. No single catalyst has been identified, but the broader market mood and Hyperliquid's upgrade may be drawing attention to smaller projects.
PUMP's rise comes at a time when most major altcoins are flat or slightly down. Bitcoin is hovering near $67,000, while Ethereum has struggled to hold $3,400. The divergence highlights how niche tokens can outperform when liquidity shifts.
Oil selloff and the Monday open
The oil rout is the main macro story. West Texas Intermediate crude fell below $78 a barrel, its lowest in three months, after reports of higher-than-expected inventories and weaker demand from China. That's pushing equity futures higher — the S&P 500 is set to open up 0.6% — and crypto is following. Traders are watching for any follow-through in the next 24 hours.
Hyperliquid's new markets could see action tied to oil prices. The platform already hosts contracts on commodities, and the HIP-4 upgrade makes it easier to create new ones. Whether that leads to a wave of oil-linked bets remains to be seen, but the infrastructure is now in place.
PUMP's rally will face its first test later this week when weekly options expire. If the token holds above current levels, it could draw more momentum traders. If not, the move may fizzle as quickly as it started.
