Ethereum News Today: Arthur Hayes Joins Whale Buying Spree as Ethereum Hits Four-Year High of $4,300

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of the now-defunct BitMEX exchange and current CIO of Maelstrom Fund, has joined a wave of significant Ethereum accumulation as the token briefly surged past $4,300 early Monday, marking its highest level in nearly four years [1]. According to on-chain analytics from Arkham Intelligence, Hayes moved approximately $8.4 million in crypto over the past 24 hours, including $6.35 million in ETH, $1.07 million in Lido DAO, and $1.02 million in Pendle [1]. His buying activity aligns with broader whale activity, where institutional and large-scale investors have been accumulating large ETH positions through over-the-counter platforms such as FalconX, Galaxy Digital, and BitGo [1].

One wallet identified by Lookonchain as linked to a “mysterious institution” purchased 49,533 ETH in a single day alone—valued at $212 million—while accumulating a total of 221,166 ETH over the past week [1]. Simultaneously, a wallet associated with SharpLink Gaming received more than $253 million in large ETH transfers, with individual inflows ranging from $13 million to $44.7 million [1]. These moves suggest growing institutional confidence in Ethereum as both a store of value and a medium for capital movement, especially with improving network usage and staking yields [1].

Analysts have attributed the recent rally to several factors, including expected rate cuts, steady staking returns, and a more favorable regulatory climate. Andrei Grachev of DWF Labs noted that “when large holders step up ETH accumulation, it’s usually because they see both structural and short-term drivers lining up” [1]. He also highlighted that institutional OTC activity and ETF-related flows are likely contributing to a more “sticky” form of capital in the Ethereum ecosystem [1]. However, Grachev warned that this concentration of capital could also “amplify volatility” if market momentum stalls [1].

Xavier Meegan of Frachtis echoed similar sentiments, stating that Ethereum remains the second most institutionally recognized digital asset, valued for its security and scalability in handling large capital flows [1]. Yet he added that legislative delays and regulatory uncertainty remain key risks to sustained growth in the DeFi space [1].

Looking ahead, Vincent Liu of Kronos Research advised investors to remain cautious, noting that the upcoming U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report—set for Tuesday—could trigger significant market swings depending on inflationary data and potential Fed policy shifts [1]. While the recent whale-driven buying is a bullish sign, the broader macroeconomic environment continues to pose potential headwinds.

Sources:

[1] Decrypt, [https://decrypt.co/334488/arthur-hayes-joins-wave-of-whale-buys-as-ethereum-briefly-tops-4300](https://decrypt.co/334488/arthur-hayes-joins-wave-of-whale-buys-as-ethereum-briefly-tops-4300)