ChatGPT AI Says What Hyperliquid (HYPE) Could Be Worth if Its U.S. Deal Slips to 2027

ChatGPT’s Hyperliquid price prediction estimates that Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE) could be valued at $115 by December 31, 2026, if its much-anticipated U.S. launch occurs in the first half of 2027. However, if this launch is postponed to 2028 or blocked entirely, the price forecast significantly drops to $62. So, what could HYPE actually be worth if the deal faces delays?

HYPE is trading at $86, up 9.6% over the past week. In the month leading up to this date, its price has fluctuated between $76 and $94, remaining about 12.7% under its all-time high of $98 reached on September 23. To regain that peak, HYPE would need to rise about 15%, and to hit the $115 target, it would have to climb about 34.5%.

HYPE’s price movements largely stem from a plan by the Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE | ICE Price Prediction), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, to introduce Hyperliquid-based perpetual futures to U.S. traders. On October 31, ICE reiterated that this plan is “subject to regulatory approvals.” U.S. traders would access it through futures commission merchants, regulated brokers that manage customer funds for futures trading, including ICE’s partnership with OKX.

Hyperliquid Would Be Worth $27.5 Billion at $115

Currently, HYPE’s market capitalization—calculated by multiplying the price by the circulating tokens—is approximately $20.5 billion, with 239.4 million tokens in circulation. If HYPE reaches $115, this market cap would soar to about $27.5 billion, still about half the valuation of Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), which stands at around $55 billion.

However, the key challenge is supply dilution; as new tokens enter circulation, the market cap needed to support the price will increase. Only about 24% of the 1 billion HYPE token maximum supply is currently circulating.

Factoring in all 1 billion tokens, HYPE’s fully diluted value would reach roughly $85.5 billion now and could skyrocket to $115 billion if it hits $115—far exceeding Solana’s fully diluted market cap of $60.1 billion.

If the launch is delayed and ChatGPT sets a target of $62, HYPE would give back much of its impressive 55.4% rally since August 4, when it was priced at $55. This target reflects a 27.5% drop from the current price.

For investors, a $1,000 investment in HYPE at $86 buys about 11.63 HYPE tokens. If ChatGPT’s optimistic prediction of $135 comes true by the end of 2027 in the favorable launch scenario, that initial investment could grow to about $1,570, yielding a 57% gain. Conversely, if the price falls to $50 in the delay scenario, the investment might shrink to around $580, resulting in a 42% loss before factoring in fees and taxes.

Three Forces Could Decide Whether HYPE Reaches $115

ICE Needs CFTC Approval Before HYPE’s U.S. Launch

The U.S. launch depends on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) granting approval. ChatGPT estimates a 65% chance that this approval will happen before the end of 2027, making a delay a serious possibility.

This regulatory catalyst has already influenced HYPE’s price. After ICE’s October 29 announcement, HYPE saw an uptick, but momentum slowed when ICE revised its communication to emphasize the approval conditions. Therefore, ChatGPT’s $115 target only partly prices in the launch, considering the altered communication, the regulatory uncertainties, and substantial selling from large investors.

HYPE Has $612 Million of Long Positions Below Its Price

Long positions—investments, often made with borrowed funds, that gain value if the price rises—total about $612 million below HYPE’s current price. A liquidation event occurs when an exchange forcibly closes one of these positions due to insufficient collateral, which can drive further price declines and trigger additional liquidations.

Recently, two major investors sold a combined 1.21 million HYPE tokens, valued at $109 million, after ICE revised its announcement. In the event of a delay, ChatGPT predicts HYPE’s lowest price over the next 90 days could drop to $45, a troubling 47.4% decline that would mark a critical stress test in a potentially unfavorable market.

Lighter Is Competing for the Same American Traders

Lighter, a competing perpetual futures exchange, intends to secure its own U.S. licenses. If ICE’s approval process stalls while Lighter advances, HYPE may lose its competitive edge among American traders. This situation adds to ChatGPT’s concerns about potential liquidations and increased competition for HYPE if the launch is delayed.

Can HYPE Reach $115 by the End of 2026?

HYPE faces significant challenges in hitting $115 by December 31, largely because the timing of regulatory approvals that would support this price is uncertain. ChatGPT assigns a 45% chance of HYPE achieving a new all-time high before the end of 2026, assuming the launch occurs in the first half of 2027. In contrast, this probability drops to just 12% if the launch is postponed.

To achieve this ambitious goal, HYPE must first maintain its 50-day average at around $85 (just 0.1% below current) so the longs below are not forced out. It will then need to break through the $98 mark (14.6% higher) as the CFTC approves ICE’s plan.

Should the price close below $85, it could put the significant $612 million in long positions at risk, making the $62 delay scenario increasingly likely. Conversely, if HYPE surpasses $98 ahead of any approvals, it could signal strong demand and support for the upcoming launch.

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