Bitcoin News Today: Arthur Hayes Warns BTC Could Test $100K Amid Tariffs and Weak Jobs Data

Bitcoin faces potential volatility amid macroeconomic headwinds, according to Arthur Hayes, CIO of Maelstrom Fund. Hayes warns that Bitcoin could correct to $100,000 and Ether to $3,000, driven by concerns over rising U.S. tariffs, weak job growth, and sluggish credit expansion. These factors, he argues, signal economic fragility and could trigger a broader risk-off sentiment in financial markets, including crypto [2].

Hayes' concerns are underscored by recent economic data. The U.S. added just 73,000 jobs in July 2025, significantly below the expected 100,000 [4]. This weak labor report, combined with a broader slowdown in credit creation, raises concerns about the ability of major economies to support nominal GDP growth. As a result, investors may increasingly turn to Bitcoin as an alternative store of value [2].

Reflecting a cautious stance, Hayes has taken recent action in the market. On-chain data shows he liquidated over $13 million in crypto assets, including 2,373 ETH, 7.76 million ENA, and 3.88 billion PEPE tokens. These trades were executed via platforms such as Uniswap, Flowdesk, and Binance, with counterparties including B2C2 Group and Cumberland DRW [3]. Hayes has now positioned $22.95 million in USDC stablecoins, indicating a strategic shift in his portfolio [3].

Hayes has also highlighted the potential impact of an upcoming U.S. tariff bill, expected to come into effect in the third quarter of 2025 [2]. He suggests that the market is already pricing in these developments, particularly after the July jobs report. In a public post on X, he wrote, “Y? US Tariff bill coming due in 3Q … at least the mrkt believes that after NFP print. No major econ is creating enough credit fast enough to boost nominal gdp. So $BTC tests $100k, $ETH tests $3k.” [3].

While Hayes' actions may signal a bearish outlook in the short term, his broader thesis remains bullish. He has previously forecasted Bitcoin reaching $1 million by 2025, driven by U.S. fiscal policies and inflationary pressures [1]. His current targets of $100,000 for Bitcoin and $3,000 for Ether align with his belief in the increasing role of digital assets in global finance [2].

Market observers are divided on the implications of Hayes' trades. Some interpret the sell-off as a bearish signal, suggesting he may plan to re-enter the market at lower prices [5]. Others argue it is a routine portfolio adjustment, given his history of making large trades in anticipation of macroeconomic events [3]. Regardless, Hayes remains a key influencer in the crypto space, with his views continuing to shape investor sentiment.

Hayes is set to present his outlook at the WebX Asia conference in Tokyo on August 25 [3]. In a recent message, he concluded with the phrase “Back to the beach,” indicating a level of confidence in his market thesis [3]. As the crypto community closely watches these developments, Hayes’ analysis remains one of the most influential in the evolving landscape of digital assets and macroeconomic trends.

Source:

[1] Arthur Hayes calls BTC at $100K, ETH at $3K after dumping $10M+ crypto. Cryptopolitan. https://www.cryptopolitan.com/arthur-hayes-calls-btc-at-100k-eth-3k/

[2] Arthur Hayes expects BTC to test $100K in Q3. Bitget. https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604892070

[3] Arthur Hayes Thinks Bitcoin Will Retest $100K, ETH ... The Cryptotimes. https://www.cryptotimes.io/2025/08/02/arthur-hayes-thinks-bitcoin-will-retest-100k-eth-will-shrink-to-3k/

[4] Arthur Hayes warns Bitcoin may fall to $100,000 and Ethereum to $3,000 due to U.S. tariffs and weak July 2025 job data. AInvest. https://www.ainvest.com/news/bitcoin-news-today-arthur-hayes-warns-bitcoin-fall-100-000-tariffs-weak-jobs-data-drive-macroeco

[5] Former BitMEX CEO Arthur Hayes positions for market slump. CryptoRank. https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/8df24-former-bitmex-ceo-arthur-hayes-positions-for-market-slump-predicts-btc-to-test-100k-after-nfp-print