Arthur Hayes’ Maelstrom aims to acquire high-growth crypto firms as institutional interest in digital assets rebounds.
Maelstrom Targets Multi-Million Dollar Crypto Acquisitions
Maelstrom, the family office founded by BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, is reportedly raising $250 million for a new private equity fund focused on acquiring crypto-related businesses. According to a Bloomberg report, the firm plans to invest between $40 million and $75 million in each deal, targeting up to six acquisitions by September 2026.
The fund will primarily focus on companies specializing in trading infrastructure and blockchain analytics, signaling renewed investor confidence in the crypto sector’s long-term growth.
“Investors in the fund want exposure to the high-cash-flow, high-growth crypto sector but lack the capabilities in-house to do this themselves,” said Akshat Vaidya, Maelstrom’s co-founder and managing partner, who will run the fund alongside Arthur Hayes and Adam Schlegel, a newly appointed partner.
Arthur Hayes’ Return to the Spotlight
Arthur Hayes, once a dominant figure in the crypto derivatives market, stepped down as CEO of BitMEX in 2020 following U.S. charges related to the Bank Secrecy Act. However, his March 2025 pardon by President Donald Trump paved the way for his reemergence in the industry.
Since then, Hayes has become a prominent commentator on macro trends and crypto price forecasts, often emphasizing the growing role of decentralized finance and Bitcoin’s potential as a global asset. His latest venture through Maelstrom underscores a strategic pivot toward private equity-backed growth in the blockchain sector.
Maelstrom’s fundraising effort reflects revived institutional appetite for crypto acquisitions, following a slowdown in 2023 after the collapse of FTX. In 2025, several high-profile deals have already signaled renewed momentum:
- Ripple Labs acquired GTreasury for $1 billion, expanding its payments infrastructure.
- Ripple also bought Hidden Road, a crypto prime brokerage, in a $1.25 billion transaction.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.