Hyperliquid vs dYdX for trading bots (2026)

Pick Hyperliquid if you want agent keys that simply can't withdraw and every account's record public. Pick dYdX for open-source chain software, keys you can scope by action, market and sub-account, and builder codes up to 1%.

Side by side from each exchange's own docs, checked Oct 30, 2026. Full setup guides: Hyperliquid · dYdX.

HyperliquiddYdX
Safety scoreSafety 50%Safety 68%
Bot keyAPI (agent) wallets can trade for your account but can't withdraw or transfer. sourcePermissioned keys can be limited by action, market and sub-account, so a trading key can be barred from withdrawals and transfers. Keys can't cap order size or leverage. source
TestnetPublic testnet (api.hyperliquid-testnet.xyz).Public testnet front end, indexer and faucet.
Base feesBase tier: 0.015% maker, 0.045% taker (14-day volume tiers). sourceTier 1: 0.01% maker, 0.05% taker; governance can change fees, so check dydx.trade. source
Rate limitsREST: 1,200 weight per minute per IP.Long-lived orders: 2 per block and 20 per 100 blocks per account; short-term orders and cancels: 4,000 per 5 blocks. Indexer: 100 requests per 10 seconds per IP.
Public account dataAny account's fills, positions and PnL can be read from the public info API; vaults are public.The keyless indexer returns any address's positions, fills, transfers and historical PnL; MegaVault's results are public.
Builder codesUp to 0.1% on perps and 1% on spot; the user approves a max fee from the main wallet.Builder codes on any order, up to 1% of the fill, with no vote needed.
ReferralsCreate a code after $10,000 of volume; 10% of referees' fees, less their discount.Affiliate program open after $10 of volume: up to 15% of referees' taker fees (capped per referral); vetted VIP affiliates more.
RestrictedUS and Ontario (Canada) restricted by the terms, plus sanctioned places.US and Canada plus sanctioned places, per the docs' compliance page.
AI agent toolsNo official MCP server; community ones only.No official MCP server or agent kit; community only.
Code and auditsOur directory lists no public source code or audit report for its core software.Open-source chain, indexer and clients; audit reports are in the v4-chain repo.
Watch outMarket-manipulation losses have landed on the HLP vault twice in the past year.Pin client package versions: its official npm and PyPI packages were compromised in January 2026.

FAQ

Is Hyperliquid or dYdX better for a trading bot?

Pick Hyperliquid if you want agent keys that simply can't withdraw and every account's record public. Pick dYdX for open-source chain software, keys you can scope by action, market and sub-account, and builder codes up to 1%.

Which is safer for an AI agent, Hyperliquid or dYdX?

Hyperliquid: API (agent) wallets can trade for your account but can't withdraw or transfer. dYdX: Permissioned keys can be limited by action, market and sub-account, so a trading key can be barred from withdrawals and transfers. Keys can't cap order size or leverage.

Which has lower fees, Hyperliquid or dYdX?

Hyperliquid: Base tier: 0.015% maker, 0.045% taker (14-day volume tiers). dYdX: Tier 1: 0.01% maker, 0.05% taker; governance can change fees, so check dydx.trade.

More: all 9 perp DEXs compared for bots. No referral links. Not financial advice.

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