The crypto world is buzzing with opinions, and a recent tweet from mert | helius.dev has sparked an interesting conversation. Posted on June 28, 2025, mert challenges the common belief that crypto markets operate like a zero-sum game—where one person’s gain means another’s loss. Instead, he suggests that competition, like Coinbase and Robinhood launching perpetual contracts (or "perps"), could actually grow the market, benefiting leaders like Hyperliquid. Let’s break this down and see what it means for meme token enthusiasts and blockchain practitioners alike!

What’s a Zero-Sum Game, Anyway?

If you’re new to this term, a zero-sum game is like a tug-of-war: if one side wins, the other loses an equal amount. Think of chess or trading options, where one person’s profit comes directly from someone else’s pocket. Mert argues that many in crypto see the market this way, especially with perps trading—a type of crypto derivative where traders bet on price movements without owning the asset, using leverage to amplify gains (or losses!).

But here’s the twist: mert believes not all markets work this way. When big players like Coinbase and Robinhood jump into perps, they might not just steal users from Hyperliquid—a decentralized platform dominating on-chain perps trading. Instead, they could bring in new traders, expanding the pie for everyone.

How Competition Could Grow the Perps Market

Mert’s take is that Coinbase and Robinhood launching perps products isn’t a threat to Hyperliquid—it could be a boost. By making perps more accessible to beginners, these platforms might introduce millions to trading, increasing the total number of participants. For Hyperliquid, this means more potential users, especially if the team keeps delivering top-notch features and listings.

Others in the thread agree. karbon 🐺🦊 points out that Hyperliquid’s crypto-native user base—used to its unique onboarding process—probably won’t switch to Coinbase or Robinhood. Meanwhile, KB likens it to baking a bigger pie, where new entrants don’t shrink the slices but make the whole dessert larger. It’s a positive-sum game, where growth benefits the leader if they stay sharp.

Why This Matters for Meme Tokens and Blockchain

For those tracking meme tokens on meme-insider.com, this discussion is more than just theory. Perps trading can influence meme coin prices through speculative trading, and a growing market could mean more liquidity—cash flowing in to support wild price swings. If Hyperliquid thrives, it might even list more meme tokens, giving projects a bigger stage.

Plus, the rise of decentralized platforms like Hyperliquid ties into blockchain’s core promise: transparency and autonomy. As bitgetapp.com notes, perps are key to price discovery in crypto, and a competitive market could push innovation—think new tools or meme-inspired derivatives!

The Counterargument: Risks and Challenges

Not everyone’s sold on this rosy outlook. The unchained degen humorously admits to losing big with 125x leverage on perps, suggesting that more traders could mean more chaos (and more ways to get “rekt”). Others, like James, argue that Coinbase and Robinhood’s moves won’t impact Hyperliquid much since it’s already dominating on-chain. The real battle might be stealing users from other perp platforms, not the new kids on the block.

What’s Next for Hyperliquid and Perps?

As of 12:10 AM JST on June 29, 2025, the crypto community is watching closely. Hyperliquid’s success hinges on execution—adding features, retaining users, and maybe even tapping into the meme token craze. With Coinbase offering advanced crypto services (investopedia.com) and Robinhood targeting beginners, the perps market could see a boom. For blockchain practitioners, this is a chance to learn from real-time market dynamics and adapt.

So, is crypto a zero-sum game? Mert’s thread suggests it’s more of a team sport—competition can lift all boats, especially in an early market like this. What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to meme-insider.com for the latest on meme tokens and blockchain trends!