Hayes Pardoned, Now Betting Big on Beating Time

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of the now-defunct BitMEX cryptocurrency derivatives exchange, has shifted his focus to longevity research and investment following his March 2024 pardon by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The pardon, which cleared Hayes and three other former BitMEX executives of convictions under the Bank Secrecy Act, has allowed Hayes to pursue new ventures, including a board seat and major investment in a stem cell firm. He has been receiving treatments at the company’s clinics in Mexico and Bangkok for over a year, emphasizing his interest in extending human lifespan while maintaining health [1].

The stem cell company, currently undergoing a rebranding effort, has not been publicly named. Hayes has stated that his investment reflects a growing global trend of regulatory relaxation around stem cell therapies, suggesting increased accessibility and acceptance of such treatments. His involvement aligns with a broader movement among cryptocurrency leaders exploring biotech and longevity science to combat aging and extend life expectancy [1].

This shift in focus is not unique to Hayes. Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has previously invested over $25 million in Shiba Inu (SHIB) tokens to fund aging research and contributed more than $350,000 to the SENS Research Foundation. Former Coinbase executives, including Balaji Srinivasan and Brian Armstrong, have also invested in genomics and longevity startups. These efforts highlight a growing trend within the cryptocurrency community to direct financial resources toward scientific advancements in life extension [1].

Despite stepping away from the day-to-day operations of BitMEX, Hayes remains active in the crypto space. Through his family office, Maelstrom, he has supported digital asset treasury companies and launched a Bitcoin grant program to fund open-source development aimed at improving Bitcoin’s scalability, privacy, and resistance to censorship. These initiatives underscore Hayes’ continued commitment to the evolution of decentralized finance, even as he diversifies his interests into longevity-focused ventures [1].

Hayes’ pardon and subsequent investment activity have generated considerable attention within the cryptocurrency and biotech sectors. His strategic pivot to longevity research reflects both personal interest and a belief in the transformative potential of biotechnology. As more investors and technologists explore the intersection of crypto and biotech, the movement toward extending human life continues to gain momentum, supported by both capital and innovation [1].

Source: [1] Arthur Hayes Joins Stem Cell Firm After Trump Pardon (https://cointelegraph.com/news/arthur-hayes-stem-cell-investment-trump-pardon)