Arthur Hayes Sells HYPE and NEAR Holdings, Warns AI IPO Boom Could Pressure Crypto Markets

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has revealed that he sold his holdings in Hyperliquid (HYPE) and Near Protocol (NEAR), signaling a major shift from his previously bullish outlook on both cryptocurrencies.

In a post shared today, Hayes said he believes financial markets could reach their peak sometime between now and September, making it an appropriate time to lock in profits. He pointed to several factors behind his decision, including rising energy prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, the expected arrival of major artificial intelligence company IPOs and potential political developments in the United States.

The move surprised many investors because Hayes had previously predicted strong upside for both tokens. Earlier this year, he suggested HYPE could climb to $150 by August, while NEAR could potentially deliver a 20-fold return by 2027.

Blockchain Data Confirms Large HYPE Sale

According to blockchain analytics platform Onchain Lens, Hayes sold approximately 247,334 HYPE tokens worth around $18 million. He also sold an undisclosed amount of NEAR tokens.

The transactions occurred shortly after Hayes publicly challenged Multicoin Capital co-founder Kyle Samani to a $100,000 charity bet, claiming HYPE would outperform every top-10 cryptocurrency by the end of 2026.

Following the sales, market prices declined sharply. HYPE fell about 8% to around $65, while NEAR dropped roughly 17% to $2.34 within 24 hours.

AI IPOs Could Pull Capital Away From Crypto

Hayes also warned that several high-profile AI company IPOs expected later this year could absorb investor capital that might otherwise flow into digital assets.

Among the companies attracting attention are OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX. Reports suggest SpaceX could move toward a public listing in the near future, while Anthropic is reportedly considering an IPO as early as October. OpenAI is also said to be preparing for a possible public offering.