Perp DEXs to Dominate Finance by 2026, Says Delphi Digital

Decentralized Perpetual Futures Exchanges Grow as Trading Volumes Surge

Perpetual decentralized exchanges (DEXs) are rapidly gaining market share, offering traders lower-cost, blockchain-based alternatives to traditional centralized trading venues. These platforms enable users to trade perpetual futures contracts with leverage, without the typical constraints of expiry dates and intermediaries, fueling a shift toward decentralized finance (DeFi) derivatives markets.

Key Takeaways

Perp DEXs’ market share surged from 2.1% in January 2023 to a record 11.7% in November 2025.

The total trading volume on perp DEXs tripled in 2025, reaching over $12 trillion amid increasing demand for on-chain derivatives.

Leading DEX tokens like Hyperliquid are projected to reach over $200 within a decade, driven by growing platform adoption.

Major competitors are racing to develop integrated services like lending, brokerage, and custody within the decentralized infrastructure.

Tickers mentioned: $HYPE

Sentiment: Bullish

Price impact: Positive. The increasing adoption of perp DEXs and their expanding market share are likely to bolster the value of related tokens.

Trading idea (Not Financial Advice): Hold. The sector shows strong growth potential amid ongoing innovation and rising trade volumes.

Market context: As decentralized derivatives trading accelerates, the crypto industry continues its shift toward fully on-chain financial mechanisms, challenging traditional finance structures.

Growth of Perpetual DEXs and Market Significance

Decentralized platforms specializing in perpetual futures trading are transforming the derivatives landscape. According to Delphi Digital, these platforms are anticipated to continue capturing market share from legacy financial products by leveraging their operational efficiencies. Unlike fragmented and costly traditional systems, performant infrastructure enables perp DEXs to streamline trading, lending, and custody services, positioning them as comprehensive financial hubs within the blockchain ecosystem.

“Perpetual DEXs could evolve into multifaceted platforms that serve as brokerages, custodians, and clearinghouses all in one,” Delphi Digital remarked in a recent social media post, highlighting the competitive race among platforms like Aster, Lighter, and Paradex to innovate and expand their offerings.

The growth in trading volume underscores this trend. Data from CoinGecko reveals that the market share of perp DEXs surged from 2.1% to a peak of 11.7% in late 2025. Moreover, the total trading volume on these exchanges skyrocketed from $4.1 trillion at the start of 2025 to over $12 trillion by year’s end, reflecting a 3-fold increase and widespread adoption among traders seeking decentralized derivatives exposure.

While these figures mark significant progress, they still pale compared to over-the-counter derivatives, which reached $846 trillion in notional value in mid-2025, according to the Bank for International Settlements. Nevertheless, the trajectory suggests that decentralized solutions are increasingly integral to the broader crypto and financial markets, with platforms like Hyperliquid ($HYPE) poised for substantial growth. Cantor Fitzgerald’s recent outlook projects the token could exceed $200 within ten years, supported by predicted compound annual growth rates and token buyback strategies.

Source: Delphi Digital

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