Jake Chervinsky is a prominent American lawyer, policy advocate, and executive known for his focus on the legal and regulatory landscape of the cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi) industry. He is the founder and CEO of the Hyperliquid Policy Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to DeFi advocacy in the United States. Before establishing the center, he held senior legal and policy positions at several key crypto organizations, including the Blockchain Association, Compound Labs, and the venture capital firm Variant. ^{[1] [2]}​

Education

Chervinsky earned a B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from The George Washington University from 2006 to 2010. He later earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The George Washington University Law School, graduating with high honors. His legal education provided the foundation for his later work in financial services litigation and regulatory policy. ^{[1] [3]}

Career

Early Legal Career

Chervinsky began his professional career in private practice. He first worked at the law firm Baker McKenzie LLP, where his practice centered on anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and related investigations. ^[4] He later joined the Washington, D.C. office of Kobre & Kim LLP as a litigator. At this firm, his work began to intersect with the nascent digital asset space, as he represented both corporate and individual clients in government enforcement defense and securities litigation involving cryptocurrencies. ^{[1] [4] [3]}​

Compound Labs

Chervinsky fully transitioned into the cryptocurrency industry when he became the General Counsel for Compound Labs, the development team behind the prominent DeFi lending protocol Compound. During his tenure, he was a key architect of the "progressive decentralization" playbook. This strategic framework was designed to guide projects through the complex regulatory landscape as they transitioned from a centralized development team to a decentralized, community-governed protocol. The model became an influential approach for other projects in the DeFi sector seeking to navigate U.S. securities laws. ^{[1] [4]}​

Industry-Wide Advocacy Roles

Following his time at Compound Labs, Chervinsky took on several high-profile roles that positioned him as a leading voice for the crypto industry in Washington, D.C. He served as the Chief Policy Officer for the Blockchain Association, a D.C.-based trade association that acts as a unified voice for the industry before U.S. regulators and lawmakers. In this capacity, he led the organization's policy efforts and engagement with government officials. ^{[1] [4]}​

He also joined the web3-focused venture capital firm Variant, where he held senior roles including Chief Legal Officer and Chief Policy Officer. His responsibilities involved leading the firm's policy strategy and advising its portfolio companies on legal and regulatory matters. As of February 2026, he continues to work with the firm as an Advisor, helping its team and portfolio founders navigate the policy environment in Washington. ^{[2] [4] [5]}​

In addition to these roles, Chervinsky has served on the boards of the DeFi Education Fund and the Blockchain Association, further cementing his involvement in industry-wide advocacy and educational efforts. ^{[1] [3]}​

Hyperliquid Policy Center

In February 2026, Chervinsky launched the Hyperliquid Policy Center (HPC), where he serves as founder and CEO. The launch marked a new chapter in his career, focusing on a more specialized form of DeFi advocacy. ^{[1] [2]}​

The HPC is an independent, non-profit research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Its stated mission is to advance a clear regulatory path for DeFi to thrive in the United States by bridging the gap between law and next-generation financial market infrastructure. The center operates on a "protocol-specific" model, with its primary focus on advocating for the Hyperliquid decentralized derivatives exchange and its broader ecosystem. ^{[1] [5]}​

In his announcement, Chervinsky stated, "I am proud to announce the launch of Hyperliquid Policy Center, where I will serve as CEO. HPC is an independent research and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that DeFi can flourish in the United States. The future of finance will be decentralized."^[5]​

The Hyperliquid Foundation made a foundational contribution of 1 million HYPE tokens to establish the center. At the time of the announcement, this donation was valued at approximately $29 million and was intended to provide a multi-year operational runway, ensuring the organization's independence. The founding team included Brad Bourque, formerly of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, as Policy Counsel, and Salah Ghazzal, formerly of Variant. ^{[1] [2] [5]}​

Advocacy and Public Commentary

Chervinsky has been a vocal critic of regulatory actions he views as overreach. In October 2025, he was a prominent opponent of a proposal from Senate Democrats that would have required websites and applications serving as user interfaces for DeFi protocols to register with regulators and perform Know Your Customer (KYC) checks on their users. He argued that such rules would constitute an effective ban on DeFi development in the U.S., forcing projects to either move their operations offshore or shut down. He publicly described the proposal as "less a regulatory framework and more an unprecedented, unconstitutional government takeover of an entire industry." ^[2]​

His advocacy is driven by a belief in the necessity of direct engagement with policymakers. On the strategic importance of this work, he has stated, “In Washington, D.C., you have to be at the table, or you’ll be on the menu... HPC will ensure that Hyperliquid has a seat at that table, and a strong voice in the conversation.” ^[1]​