HYPE emerges as a standout winner as post-FOMC crypto market drifts

Hyperliquid’s HYPE token has emerged as one of the strongest performers in the crypto market, rallying sharply even as broader digital assets showed a muted response to the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference.

While the Federal Open Market Committee left interest rates unchanged and signalled a data-dependent path ahead, the announcement failed to spark a meaningful directional move across major cryptocurrencies. 

Bitcoin and Ethereum traded lower on the day, while most top-10 assets remained range-bound, underscoring a cautious market tone.

Against that backdrop, HYPE’s outperformance has stood out.

Fed decision leaves crypto market drifting

On Wednesday, 28 January, the Fed maintained its target range for the federal funds rate at 3.5% to 3.75%. It reiterated its focus on balancing inflation risks with labour market stability. 

Powell described the economy as being on “firm footing” but acknowledged that inflation remains somewhat elevated, reinforcing expectations that monetary policy is not yet on a preset easing path.

Crypto markets reacted quietly. Bitcoin hovered around $89,000, while Ethereum slipped toward $3,000. 

According to CoinMarketCap data, most large-cap assets posted marginal losses over the past 24 hours, reflecting limited risk appetite following the macro update.

The broader lack of follow-through suggests traders had largely priced in the Fed’s decision, shifting attention back toward asset-specific catalysts.

HYPE posts sharp gains amid broader weakness

Hyperliquid’s HYPE token moved decisively in the opposite direction. On the daily chart, HYPE surged nearly 7%, reaching around $33 after a strong bullish candle with rising volume. 

On a seven-day basis, the token was up more than 50%, making it one of the best-performing assets among the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation.

Source: TradingView

CoinMarketCap rankings showed HYPE outperforming Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and most other large-cap tokens over both the 24-hour and weekly timeframes, highlighting a clear divergence from the broader market trend.

Hype’s relative strength signals selective risk appetite

HYPE’s rally appears less connected to macro conditions and more reflective of momentum-driven positioning. 

While the wider market consolidated following the Fed’s messaging, traders rotated into assets showing relative strength rather than increasing exposure across the board.

This behaviour points to a selective risk environment, where capital flows are targeting tokens with strong narratives, active ecosystems, or sustained technical momentum rather than responding uniformly to macro signals.

From a technical perspective, HYPE’s rebound followed a prolonged corrective phase, with the recent breakout pushing price back above near-term resistance levels. 

The sharp expansion in volume alongside the move suggests fresh participation rather than a low-liquidity spike.

Coinbase roadmap listing adds fresh catalyst to HYPE’s rally

The move higher also comes as Coinbase confirmed it has added HYPE to its asset roadmap. This is a step that often precedes broader exposure across one of the industry’s largest exchanges.

While a roadmap inclusion does not guarantee an immediate listing, it typically signals that an asset has passed internal compliance and technical reviews. It places it on the radar of a wider retail and institutional audience.

In the context of a market showing little directional response to the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision, the announcement adds a token-specific catalyst that may help explain HYPE’s relative strength compared with larger, macro-sensitive assets.

Final Thoughts

• The contrast between HYPE’s rally and the subdued performance of major cryptocurrencies highlights a broader shift in market behaviour. 
• Instead of reacting aggressively to central bank guidance, traders appear increasingly focused on relative performance, market rotation, and opportunistic trades.