VALR Integrates Hyperliquid to Launch 200+ Perpetual Markets in Africa

VALR, Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has integrated Hyperliquid to introduce a comprehensive perpetual futures trading product. The new “Perps” offering is scheduled to go live on VALR’s web platform on Monday, July 6, 2026, with mobile app support following shortly thereafter.

In an X post on Thursday, Hyperliquid said, “This marks the first time a centralized exchange has integrated Hyperliquid directly. By building on Hyperliquid, VALR can focus on the experience and interface its users trust. Users benefit from Hyperliquid’s deep liquidity and on-chain transparency while never having to leave the VALR platform.” 

VALR, Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trading volume, is using Hyperliquid as the onchain infrastructure layer to bring perpetuals to its users.

This marks the first time a centralized exchange has integrated Hyperliquid directly. By building on Hyperliquid, VALR can focus… https://t.co/WkXn7PHMR2

— Hyperliquid (@HyperliquidX) July 2, 2026

What to expect from the collaboration

The integration of Hyperliquid allows VALR to leverage Hyperliquid’s blockchain while maintaining its familiar user interface and customer experience. Users will be able to open and manage positions directly within the VALR platform without needing to bridge assets or navigate external decentralized applications.

VALR’s new perpetuals product introduces over 200 markets across diverse global asset classes. Traders will gain access to equities, major stock indices, commodities, precious metals, forex pairs, and leading cryptocurrencies. For the African crypto ecosystem, the launch is noteworthy. VALR serves a large and growing user base across the continent, where demand for sophisticated trading tools continues to rise. 

By bringing institutional-grade perpetuals to its platform, VALR aims to bridge traditional finance with decentralized market access. Users benefit from Hyperliquid’s deep order books and transparent on-chain mechanics while enjoying VALR’s localized support and regulatory familiarity.

Hyperliquid faces criticism

Amid ongoing developments surrounding Hyperliquid, Multicoin Capital Managing Partner Kyle Samani, last week, publicly disputed Hyperliquid’s assertion of being a permissionless blockchain, calling out what he sees as misleading claims. 

The criticism came after Hyperliquid responded to its inclusion on Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) Investor Alert List, clarifying that the listing does not imply a ban or wrongdoing and reiterating its status as permissionless infrastructure.

Samani responded, “Hyperliquid is not permissionless. Stop gaslighting the public.” He argued that true permissionless systems require open-source code and a globally distributed validator network, rather than validators concentrated in one location.

Expanding crypto infrastructure in Africa

Earlier this year, in April, VALR introduced a mobile money payment system with payment gateway Onafriq, enabling users across Africa to deposit funds and buy cryptocurrencies using local currencies without a traditional bank account.

The service supported currencies including the Kenyan Shilling (KES), Ugandan Shilling (UGX), Zambian Kwacha (ZMW), Central African CFA franc (XAF), and Congolese franc (CDF). Deposits are automatically converted into stablecoins like USDC or USDT. For example, a user in Kenya can now top up their VALR account directly via M-Pesa using KES and instantly trade crypto.

Meanwhile, as VALR plans to roll out the perpetual futures trading product, questions remain about long-term sustainability, potential regulatory pushback in multiple jurisdictions, and whether retail users fully understand the sophisticated derivatives they are now accessing.

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