Hyperliquid Policy Center calls for the exclusion of airdrops from the definition of securities

The Hyperliquid Policy Center issued a statement urging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to exclude airdrops from the definition of securities. The center advocates that the position proposed by the SEC in March 2026 should be written into the rules, stating that free airdrops do not constitute "monetary investment" and therefore do not fall under investment contracts.

The center also argues for the extension of the above rules to include announced airdrops, including periodic or regular distributions. Applicable prerequisites include that the network is operational, eligibility is based on usage or contribution, such as trading, validating, providing liquidity, and governance, and that airdrops are not a means of financing.

The center believes that investment requires tangible and identifiable consideration, and airdrops are rewards rather than investments. Processes for claiming, such as connecting wallets, signing, paying gas fees, completing KYC/AML, or accepting terms of service, should not be considered as consideration. Furthermore, the rule should be retroactively applicable to past airdrops or cover Hyperliquid's native airdrops.