August 10, 2025
5 min read
Luc Jose Adjinacou
Ethereum Tops $4K As Hayes Reloads
In a surprising move that has captured the attention of the crypto community, Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, executed a notable sell-then-buyback operation on Ethereum (ETH) within a span of just one week. Arthur Hayes initially sold 2,373 ETH for approximately $8.32 million at an average price of $3,507. However, just a week later, as Ethereum surpassed the $4,000 mark for the first time since December 2024, he re-entered the market by purchasing back ETH worth $10.5 million at prices exceeding $4,150. On the social platform X (formerly Twitter), Hayes addressed this turnaround with humor, tagging Tom Lee from Fundstrat and stating:"Had to buy it all back, do you forgive me @fundstrat?">
"I pinky swear, I'll never take profit again."This rapid reversal between selling at a lower price and buying back at a higher price has sparked debate across the ecosystem. Some interpret it as an emotional reaction, while others see it as a calculated bet on Ethereum's continued bullish momentum.
Key Details of the Operation
- Initial Sale: 2,373 ETH sold for about $8.32 million at $3,507 per ETH.
- Buyback: $10.5 million in USDC converted to ETH at prices above $4,150.
- Timing: Only one week elapsed between the sale and the buyback.
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Market Context and Macroeconomic Factors
Prior to this buyback, Hayes, now Chief Investment Officer at the Maelstrom Fund, had warned of a potential market correction. He cited a disappointing US employment report in July, which added only 73,000 new jobs, alongside a slowdown in credit growth across major economies. Based on these macroeconomic indicators, Hayes predicted Bitcoin could dip toward $100,000 and Ethereum toward $3,000. In line with this caution, Hayes sold over $13 million in assets, including ETH and other tokens like Ethena (ENA) and Pepe (PEPE). Conversely, institutional interest in Ethereum has surged. Data from EmberCN shows that since July 10, more than 1.035 million ETH—valued at approximately $4.17 billion—has been accumulated, primarily by institutional investors and large American companies. This accumulation occurred at an average price of $3,546 and coincided with a 45% price increase from $2,600 to $4,000 in one month. This juxtaposition of macroeconomic caution and strong institutional inflows highlights a crypto market at a crossroads, balancing fears of a correction with optimism for continued growth. Arthur Hayes’s buyback may be seen as an opportunistic move to capitalize on institutional momentum, though it carries risk if economic conditions worsen.Source: Ethereum Tops $4K As Hayes Reloads on August 10, 2025