Comment by pests

I would say this is slightly wrong. For one, they are up to 27 validating nodes. The limited nodes is to get their .2s settlement time and also to prevent frontrunning or MEV attacks, as they implement an actual CLOB. HyperLiquid is also non-custodial, you keep USDC in a self-owned wallet on the Arbitrum network. The funds do not move until your transaction on HyperLiquid settles.