Arthur Hayes-Linked Wallet Buys $5.4M in Ethereum as Crypto Markets Rally After US-Iran Peace Deal

A cryptocurrency wallet believed to be associated with BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has acquired 3,000 ETH worth approximately $5.42 million, according to on-chain data shared by blockchain analytics platform Lookonchain. The transaction occurred shortly after a reported US-Iran peace agreement boosted sentiment across the digital asset market.

Lookonchain revealed on X that the wallet, which may be linked to Hayes, received 3,000 ETH from crypto market maker Flowdesk on June 15. The sizable Ethereum purchase has drawn attention because it comes just weeks after Hayes adopted a more defensive investment strategy amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

Earlier this month, Hayes outlined a risk-reduction approach in his “Reality Test” essay, where he disclosed the sale of several altcoin positions, including Hyperliquid (HYPE), Near Protocol (NEAR), Worldcoin (WLD), and Zcash (ZEC). He emphasized that the decision reflected broader macroeconomic concerns rather than a lack of confidence in the projects themselves. Despite trimming exposure to altcoins, Hayes maintained his long-term conviction in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The latest ETH acquisition aligns with Hayes’ bullish outlook on Ethereum. In a recent market thesis, the Maelstrom CIO projected that ETH could climb between $10,000 and $20,000 before the current market cycle ends. He cited expanding global liquidity and Ethereum’s growing importance as a foundational collateral layer within decentralized finance (DeFi) as key drivers behind his forecast.

The purchase also coincided with a major shift in geopolitical sentiment. President Donald Trump announced that a US-Iran peace deal had been finalized, paving the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and ending a US naval blockade. A formal signing ceremony is reportedly scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland.

The news sparked a broader risk-on rally across financial markets. Bitcoin surged above $66,500 after Trump stated that shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz had resumed. The world’s largest cryptocurrency climbed roughly 3.5% to $66,570, while other major digital assets also recorded gains.

At the same time, crude oil prices fell more than 5% to around $80.53 per barrel. Lower oil prices helped ease concerns about supply disruptions that had previously weighed on risk assets. During the peak of Middle East tensions, Bitcoin briefly dropped below $60,000 as investors moved toward safer investments.

While the renewed optimism has supported crypto prices, market participants remain cautious. More than $4.8 billion has reportedly flowed out of US Bitcoin ETFs since May, and investors continue to monitor geopolitical developments closely after several ceasefire agreements in the region failed earlier this year.

Even so, the Ethereum purchase linked to Arthur Hayes highlights growing confidence among prominent crypto investors as improving geopolitical conditions and easing energy market pressures create a more favorable environment for digital assets.