# Hyperliquid Beginner Checklist - Start Trading in 10 Minutes

> Complete step-by-step checklist to go from zero to your first Hyperliquid trade. Wallet setup, USDC deposits, interface overview, and security - all in one page.

*Source: https://hyperliquidguide.com/guides/getting-started/hyperliquid-beginner-checklist*

This is your complete roadmap from zero to first trade on Hyperliquid. No KYC, no sign-up forms, no waiting periods. Just a wallet, some USDC, and 10 minutes.

Every step below links to a detailed guide if you need more help. Bookmark this page and check off each step as you go. Brand new to all of this and want the friendly, plain-English version first? Read [Hyperliquid for Dummies](/guides/getting-started/hyperliquid-for-dummies) before you dive in.

> **Tip:** **New to Hyperliquid?** Sign up through our referral link to get a **4% lifetime fee discount** on every trade - it adds up fast. See our [referral program guide](/guides/getting-started/hyperliquid-referral-program-guide) for details.

![Hyperliquid trading interface overview](/images/getting-started/how-to-trade-on-hyperliquid/trading-interface-annotated.webp)

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## The 9-Step Checklist

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## Step 1: Choose a Wallet

Hyperliquid is a [decentralized exchange](/guides/getting-started/how-hyperliquid-works) - you need a self-custody wallet to connect. No accounts, no passwords, [no KYC](/guides/getting-started/hyperliquid-kyc-requirements).

**Recommended wallets:**

- **[Rabby](/guides/getting-started/connect-rabby-to-hyperliquid)** - cleanest interface, excellent multi-chain support. Our top pick for beginners
- **[MetaMask](/guides/getting-started/connect-metamask-to-hyperliquid)** - largest user base, works everywhere
- **[Coinbase Wallet](/guides/getting-started/connect-coinbase-wallet-to-hyperliquid)** - great if you already use Coinbase
- **[Phantom](/guides/getting-started/connect-phantom-to-hyperliquid)** - popular with Solana users, supports EVM chains
- **[OKX Wallet](/guides/getting-started/connect-okx-wallet-to-hyperliquid)** - built-in exchange integration
- **[Trust Wallet](/guides/getting-started/connect-trust-wallet-to-hyperliquid)** - mobile-first option

Install your chosen wallet's browser extension (desktop) or app (mobile). Write down your seed phrase and store it somewhere safe - if you lose it, you lose access to your funds permanently.

> **Key takeaway:** Your wallet IS your Hyperliquid account. There is no separate registration. Whoever controls the wallet controls the trading account.

## Step 2: Fund Your Account

Hyperliquid uses **USDC** as its settlement currency. There are several ways to get funds in:

1. **[Deposit fiat directly](/guides/getting-started/buy-crypto-with-fiat-on-hyperliquid)** (easiest for beginners) — Hyperliquid now supports credit card and bank transfer deposits via swapped.com. Select "Fiat" in the deposit modal — no crypto needed
2. **Buy on a centralized exchange** (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken) and withdraw USDC to your wallet on Arbitrum
3. **Bridge from another chain** — use the [bridge guide](/guides/getting-started/bridge-to-hyperliquid) to move funds from Ethereum, Solana, or 22+ other chains

If depositing USDC (methods 2-3), you also need a tiny amount of ETH on Arbitrum (less than $0.50) to pay for gas fees.

## Step 3: Connect Your Wallet

Navigate to **[app.hyperliquid.xyz](https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/join/Concept211)** and click **Connect** in the top-right corner. Select your wallet from the list, approve the connection in your wallet popup, and you are in.

Make sure your wallet is set to the **Arbitrum One** network. Most wallets switch automatically, but if not, add Arbitrum manually using chainlist.org.

For detailed connection steps, see the wallet-specific guide linked in Step 1.

## Step 4: Deposit USDC

Click the **Deposit** button on Hyperliquid. Enter the amount of USDC you want to deposit and confirm the transaction in your wallet. The full process is covered in our [deposit USDC guide](/guides/getting-started/deposit-usdc-to-hyperliquid).

**Key details:**
- Zero deposit fees from Hyperliquid - you only pay Arbitrum gas (~$0.10-0.50)
- Deposits confirm in **1-2 minutes** via the native bridge
- No minimum deposit enforced, but **$50-100** is practical for trading

Your USDC appears in your Hyperliquid trading balance automatically once the bridge transaction confirms.

**Get Your Fee Discount First** — Connect through our referral link before your first deposit to lock in a permanent 4% fee discount on all trades. [Join Hyperliquid](https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/join/Concept211)

## Step 5: Learn the Interface

The Hyperliquid trading screen has four main areas:

- **Chart** (center) - price action with [TradingView](https://www.tradingview.com/?aff_id=168295&source=HyperliquidGuide) charting tools
- **Order book** (right) - live buy/sell orders and spread
- **Order entry** (right panel) - where you set order type, size, leverage, and direction
- **Positions & orders** (bottom) - your open positions, pending orders, and trade history

Spend a few minutes clicking around before placing your first trade. The [how to trade guide](/guides/getting-started/how-to-trade-on-hyperliquid) walks through every element in detail.

> **Key takeaway:** Start with the **Overview** tab in your portfolio to see your balance, margin usage, and account health at a glance.

## Step 6: Place Your First Trade

Ready to trade. Here is the simplest path:

1. Select a [perpetual market](/guides/trading/perpetuals-explained) from the asset dropdown (BTC-PERP, ETH-PERP, etc.)
2. Choose **Market** order type for instant execution
3. Set your position size - start small
4. Click **Buy / Long** or **Sell / Short**
5. Confirm in the order popup

Your position appears in the bottom panel immediately. You can set a take-profit or stop-loss by clicking on the position row.

This checklist gets you set up; for the full first-hand, click-by-click walkthrough of placing your first order and managing the open position, follow [how to trade on Hyperliquid](/guides/getting-started/how-to-trade-on-hyperliquid). Want to learn about different order types? Read the [order types guide](/guides/trading/order-types-guide).

## Step 7: Understand Fees

Knowing your costs keeps you profitable. Hyperliquid's base fee tier:

| | Taker | Maker |
|---|---|---|
| **Perps** | 0.045% | 0.015% |
| **Spot** | 0.070% | 0.040% |

**How to pay less:**
- Use our [referral link](/referral) for a **4% lifetime discount**
- Place **limit orders** (maker) instead of market orders (taker) - 3x cheaper
- Stake HYPE to unlock [fee tier discounts](/guides/fees/fees-explained) of up to 40%
- Trade higher volume to move up [VIP tiers](/guides/fees/fees-explained)

Read the full breakdown in our [fees explained guide](/guides/fees/fees-explained).

## Step 8: Set Up Security

Your funds are only as safe as your wallet. Essential security steps:

- **Never share your seed phrase** - no legitimate service will ever ask for it
- **Use a hardware wallet** for large balances ([Ledger or Trezor](/guides/getting-started/best-hardware-wallet-for-hyperliquid) connected through MetaMask or Rabby)
- **Enable transaction simulation** - Rabby does this by default, showing you exactly what each transaction does before you sign
- **Bookmark app.hyperliquid.xyz** - never click links from DMs or social media
- **Consider a VPN** for privacy - see our [best VPN for crypto trading](/privacy/best-vpn-crypto-trading) guide

For a comprehensive security setup, read the [crypto trading security guide](/guides/getting-started/crypto-trading-security-guide).

> **Key takeaway:** Most crypto losses come from phishing and seed phrase theft, not exchange hacks. Protecting your wallet is the single most important thing you can do.

## Step 9: Explore Advanced Features

Once you are comfortable with basic trades, Hyperliquid has much more to offer:

- **[Leverage trading](/guides/trading/leverage-trading-guide)** - trade with up to 50x leverage on major pairs
- **[Spot trading](/guides/trading/spot-trading-guide)** - buy and sell tokens directly on Hyperliquid's spot markets
- **[Vaults](/ecosystem/hyperliquid-vaults-guide)** - deposit into actively managed vaults run by top traders
- **[Copy trading](/guides/trading/copy-trading-guide)** - mirror strategies from successful traders
- **[Shorting](/guides/getting-started/how-to-short-on-hyperliquid)** - profit from price drops
- **[DeFi ecosystem](/ecosystem/hyperliquid-defi-ecosystem)** - explore [Felix](/ecosystem/felix-protocol-guide), [HyperLend](/ecosystem/hyperlend-guide), [liquid staking](/ecosystem/liquid-staking-guide), and more on HyperEVM
- **[Mobile trading](/guides/getting-started/hyperliquid-mobile-guide)** - trade from your phone with the same interface

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## Quick Troubleshooting

**Deposit not showing up?** Wait 5 minutes. Check the transaction on [arbiscan.io](https://arbiscan.io) to confirm it went through. If it succeeded on-chain but is not in Hyperliquid, try refreshing or reconnecting your wallet.

**Wallet won't connect?** Make sure you are on Arbitrum One network, clear your browser cache, and try disabling other wallet extensions that might conflict.

**Need more help?** Browse our [troubleshooting guides](/troubleshooting) for common issues and fixes.

**Ready to Start?** — Join Hyperliquid with a 4% lifetime fee discount and start trading in minutes. No KYC, no sign-up, no waiting. [Start Trading Now](https://app.hyperliquid.xyz/join/Concept211)