Complete Guide: Connecting OneKey to Hyperliquid DeFi

Jan 26, 2026

Why Hyperliquid, and why use a hardware wallet?

Hyperliquid has become a go-to venue for onchain derivatives thanks to its fast trading experience and a bridge-based funding flow that keeps users in control of their assets. Trading itself is designed to be efficient, while deposits typically come from Arbitrum USDC via the official bridge flow described in the Hyperliquid documentation.

Using a hardware wallet adds an extra safety layer: even if your computer or phone is compromised, your private keys stay offline, and every critical action still requires physical confirmation on the device. That is the core security reason many users choose a OneKey wallet for DeFi.

References: Hyperliquid onboarding: How to start trading, Hyperliquid bridge design

What you need before connecting

1) A OneKey setup that can interact with dApps

You can connect OneKey to dApps through common Web3 connection patterns (for example, a browser extension flow or a QR-based connection flow). Whichever method you use, the key idea is the same: the dApp requests signatures, and you confirm them with OneKey.

2) Funds on Arbitrum (USDC + a little ETH for gas)

Hyperliquid’s native deposit bridge is between Hyperliquid and Arbitrum, and the official onboarding notes you’ll need USDC on Arbitrum and some ETH on Arbitrum to pay gas for the deposit transaction (trading itself does not require gas in the same way deposits do).
Reference: Hyperliquid onboarding: How to bridge USDC onto Hyperliquid

If you need the official Arbitrum bridge, note that the URL has moved to the Arbitrum Portal.
Reference: Arbitrum Portal (bridge URL update)

Step-by-step: Connect OneKey to Hyperliquid

Step 1: Open the official Hyperliquid app

Go to the trading interface at: Hyperliquid trading app

Security checklist before you click anything:

  • Bookmark the official domain and use that bookmark next time.
  • Avoid “sponsored” search results when possible.
  • Double-check the exact URL on every visit.

Step 2: Click “Connect” and choose a connection method

On the Hyperliquid app, click Connect. You will typically see one or more wallet connection options.

Common safe patterns:

  • Wallet extension / injected wallet connection (desktop)
  • WalletConnect (QR code or deep link)

If you use a QR-based flow, it helps to understand what’s happening: WalletConnect establishes an encrypted session so the dApp can send signature requests to your wallet without ever receiving your private key.
References: WalletConnect Network overview, WalletConnect docs: QR handshake and deep links

Step 3: Approve the connection, then verify the signature request

After selecting your connection method, Hyperliquid will prompt a signature request (often a “sign-in” style message). This is not (by itself) a token transfer.

On your OneKey device / OneKey-connected wallet interface:

  • Confirm the domain / dApp shown matches Hyperliquid.
  • Read any message details you’re shown.
  • Approve only if everything looks correct.

Tip: If the request looks like a token approval or a transaction you didn’t initiate, reject it and re-check you’re on the correct site.

Funding your Hyperliquid account (the part most users get wrong)

Step 4: Prepare Arbitrum USDC correctly

Hyperliquid’s onboarding flow explicitly states that deposits are done with USDC on Arbitrum, and also warns that only supported assets should be deposited through the intended UI.
Reference: Hyperliquid onboarding deposit instructions

If you need to move assets to Arbitrum first, you can use the official Arbitrum bridge portal:

Step 5: Deposit from Arbitrum into Hyperliquid using the in-app “Deposit” button

In the Hyperliquid trading interface, click Deposit and follow the prompts.

Important details from Hyperliquid’s own developer documentation:

Best practice: Always start with a small test deposit if you’re moving larger size later.

Step 6: Understand withdrawals (and the $1 fee behavior)

Hyperliquid’s onboarding notes that USDC withdrawals do not require the user to pay gas in the usual way, but there is a $1 withdrawal fee.
Reference: Hyperliquid onboarding: How do I withdraw USDC?

This is useful operationally: keep a small buffer so the withdrawal fee doesn’t cause an unexpected “insufficient” situation.

Optional: Using HyperEVM with OneKey (advanced)

Hyperliquid also provides HyperEVM, an EVM environment secured by the same underlying consensus, with HYPE as the gas token. If you want to use EVM-style tools and contracts in the ecosystem, you may need to add the network to your wallet.

Add HyperEVM network parameters

Hyperliquid’s user docs list the following (mainnet):

A convenient way to add Chain ID 999 is via:

Move assets between HyperCore and HyperEVM

Hyperliquid’s onboarding docs describe moving assets between “Core” and “EVM” using the interface controls (for example, “Transfer to/from EVM”).
Reference: How to use the HyperEVM

Practical takeaway: If your goal is simply to trade perps on Hyperliquid, you usually only need the standard deposit/withdraw flow. HyperEVM becomes relevant when you want EVM-native interactions.

Safety best practices (especially important for perpetuals users)

1) Use the official bridge flow, not “manual sends”

Hyperliquid’s documentation is clear about supported deposit flows and constraints (like the minimum deposit). Use the official UI, and don’t “guess” contract addresses or send funds manually.
Reference: Bridge2 (deposit flow and minimum)

2) Know what the bridge security model is doing

Hyperliquid’s bridge documentation describes validator signing thresholds and a dispute period mechanism for withdrawals, and also notes an audit by Zellic.
Reference: Hyperliquid bridge overview (security + audit mention)

3) Treat approvals as seriously as transfers

When depositing, you may be asked to approve USDC spending for the bridge contract before the deposit transaction. Approvals can be risky if you approve more than you intend for a long time.

Rule of thumb: approve only what you need, and review approvals periodically.

4) Keep OneKey confirmations as your “last line of defense”

The main advantage of a OneKey wallet in DeFi workflows is that it forces a real-world confirmation step for sensitive actions. If a malicious site tries to sneak in an unexpected transaction, you still have a chance to stop it at the device confirmation stage.

Troubleshooting (fast fixes)

“Deposit not credited”

“Wallet connected, but signatures don’t pop up”

  • Refresh the page and reconnect.
  • If using WalletConnect, try ending the session and creating a new one (old sessions can sometimes get stuck).
  • Ensure your wallet app is on the correct account and is not blocked by OS “background” restrictions.

WalletConnect background on QR and deep link behavior: WalletConnect docs: Mobile linking

“Can’t see HyperEVM assets”

Final thoughts: When a OneKey wallet makes the most difference on Hyperliquid

If you’re actively trading perps, you’re likely to:

  • Move funds across chains (often via Arbitrum)
  • Sign frequent sessions and approvals
  • Operate under time pressure

That combination is exactly where a hardware wallet helps most: it reduces the chance that a single bad click becomes a total loss. If you want to use Hyperliquid with stronger operational security while keeping a smooth DeFi workflow, a OneKey wallet is a practical upgrade for confirming connections, deposits, and approvals with an offline key.

Secure Your Crypto Journey with OneKey

View details for Shop OneKeyShop OneKey

Shop OneKey

The world's most advanced hardware wallet.

View details for Download AppDownload App

Download App

Scam alerts. All coins supported.

View details for OneKey SifuOneKey Sifu

OneKey Sifu

Crypto Clarity—One Call Away.