How Do We Get DeFi Growing Mobile?
We all see it: billions of dollars flow through DeFi on a daily basis. Yet,less than 15% of that volume is happening on mobile.
That’s bonkers when you consider the amount of time we all spend on our phones daily – whether that’s banking, investing, messaging, or just scrolling social media.
Despite this, somehow DeFi has kept itself mostly stuck on desktop apps.
On top of that, the traditional way of attracting users – through things like airdrops and points programs – are kinda losing steam.
Blur and dYdX pumped out huge incentives with points in 2023 and 2024, but users got tired. A ton of them just farmed rewards, cashed out, and moved on.
…And yet, that entire time, Okto has quietly been solving every one of these problems.
What’s Okto? It’s more than just a wallet – it’s a mobile-first platform that hides the complexity of blockchains and brings everything you need into one place.
From Hyperliquid futures trading, to HyperEVM chain support, users can swap, bridge, and trade without touching a desktop.
So what’s the solution?
Now, a new wave is rolling in – with forward thinking Web3 wallet, Okto, leading the way.
Instead of breaking open the gates to any and everybody with blanket rewards, some protocols are going for a more curated and status-driven approach:
Invite-only trading clubs. Scarcity over spam. Community over chaos.
And guess what’s leading the way on this shift? Mobile-first DeFi.
Here, we’re going to take a closer look at how this new wave is playing out, and why Okto’s exclusive trading club,HyperOne, might be the new blueprint for DeFi user growth.
Why Is DeFi On Mobile Still Playing Catch-Up?
So here’s a question:
Why is DeFi on mobile still so unpopular, while centralized exchanges like Binance and Bybit dominate mobile trading?
Well, both of those platforms have both of the following:
- A mobile-native app
- A very high proportion of trading volume coming from mobile app activity.
Another great example is the popular stock and crypto trading app Robinhood. It started as a mobile-only platform, and has become one of the largest trading platforms in the world.
Why? Users simply love how quick and easy on-the-go mobile trading is. Just tap, swipe, and you’re done.
On the other hand, DEXs somehow still manage to struggle with mobile users (aside from Milk Road Swap, of course!).
A ton of them don’t even have native mobile apps, which means using built-in browsers in your wallet. And we all know how clunky that can be.
Jumping through hoops gets old. Connecting wallets, confirming gas fees, swapping in multiple steps. It’s not fun, to say the least.
The good news is, that’s where Hyperliquid – which is integrated into Okto’s mobile wallet and futures offering – is a game changer.
Okto has been designed for a flawless mobile experience from day one. You get lightning-fast, gas-free trades that feel as smooth as using a CEX – while running on the best dApp for trading perps and futures.
Since its July 2023 launch, Hyperliquid has grown to over 540,000 users, and has reached a total cumulative trading volume of $1.88 trillion – absolutely nuts.
This has been aided by mobile-friendly wallet integrations such as Okto, Gem, and Phantom.
Why Exclusivity Works (and Airdrops Don’t)
Let’s zoom out and look at the psychology behind this new wave of acquiring users.
Airdrops sound great, right? After all, you get paid to simply show up.
Unfortunately, in reality airdrops attract mercenaries. In other words, people show up for the money, not the mission. And then they leave just as fast.
Exclusivity, on the other hand, taps into something deeper: Status.
Research has shown that status-based rewards can be just as powerful as monetary ones.
This has been seen in elite internships at firms like Goldman Sachs, and invite-only apps like Clubhouse – which took off faster than almost any other app of its kind.
Scarcity creates desire.
We’ve seen it in crypto before, too. Remember how Bored Ape Yacht Club turned early members into a tight-knit crew? Or how CryptoPunks owners have an air of prestige?
This playbook isn’t new.
The gaming world has also been using it for years… Limited beta invites, VIP tiers, and Discord OG roles.
Crypto is finally catching up, and playing it in smart ways.
HyperOne: A New Kind of Trading Club
Let’s take a look at HyperOne –Okto’s invite-only trading program that flips the usual growth model on its head.
Instead of blasting the internet with ads or dropping tokens to everyone, Okto decided to hand-pick who gets in.
It's a strategy built on three pillars:
Narrative + Incentive + Distribution
This is the secret sauce.
HyperOne isn’t just a club. It has a story, rewards that matter, and a viral way of getting shared.
- Narrative: Be part of something elite and mobile-first.
- Incentive: Earn $HYPE tokens for every futures trade you make.
- Distribution: Get limited invites, share them wisely, and earn $HYPE from referrals.
It’s not just clever. It’s cost-effective.
While the cost of traditional DeFi campaigns can reach the multiple six-figure range, Okto’s community-driven model focuses on quality over quantity.
This brings in high-volume, high-intent users at a fraction of the cost.
How Does The HyperOne Program Work?
Here are the key points you need to know about HyperOne:
- $HYPE token rewards on every futures trade.
- Invite-only entry through handpicked communities.
- 7% referral bonus every time someone you invite makes a trade.
- 15% commissions for community leaders and ambassadors.
- Status perks like Discord access, early features, and exclusive themes.
$HYPE isn’t just for show. It’s the fuel behind the ecosystem, rewarding real usage instead of clicks or staked tokens.
It’s Built Around Community
Some of the top Hyperliquid trading groups are already involved in HyperOne. Their members aren't just users – they’re advocates.
So far, Hyperliquid France and Hyperliquid Indonesia have already participating in HyperOne, with further involvement from NFT communities Purrtardio, Octis, and Catbal.
Because only a few invites are available, they tend to go to people whoactually trade, not just farm tokens.
What does This Mean for the Rest of DeFi?
This isn’t just a one-off.
More protocols are realizing that exclusive, high-signal communities are better than thousands of low-effort users.
And mobile is the obvious on-ramp – especially for users in regions where phones are the only screen that matters.
We can expect to see:
- A shift from “how many users?” to “how engaged are they?”
- A rise in membership-based DeFi experiences
- More social layers built into DeFi protocols.
But there are some trade-offs.
If you’re not careful, exclusive clubs can end up feeling a bit too exclusive. People might feel left out, or like it's only for insiders. It can also split communities if they’re not handled right.
And then there are the regulators, who might not love the idea of invite-only access or referral-based rewards – so that’s something to watch.
However, the bottom line still remains: It’s pretty clear that the old playbook is tired, and this new one is working.
Get In: Exclusive Access for Milk Road Readers
You know how we do it for our audience – and we’re here to deliver the goods again.
Okto’s giving 50 exclusive HyperOne invites to Milk Road readers – first in, first served.
Here’s how to claim yours:
- Head to this link (to the Okto Wallet website)
- Download the Okto wallet and sign up
- Enter referral codedApOIh to become eligible for rewards (at the bottom of the app's home screen!)
- You’ll get automatic access to HyperOne within a few hours
- You’re in! Start trading and earning $HYPE.
But you’ve only got 48 hours before this window closes – so act quick!