Why Arthur Hayes sold $5.1 million HYPE tokens because of $12B Hyperliquid concern

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Arthur Hayes, main concern serviceman astatine Maelstrom and co-founder of BitMEX, sold 96,600 Hyperliquid (HYPE) tokens for astir $5.1 million, little than 3 weeks aft his bullish prediction astir the asset.

Over the weekend, reports emerged that the crypto entrepreneur sold his full stash of the decentralized speech platform’s autochthonal token, sparking concerns astir his presumption connected the protocol.

Hayes initially said the merchantability was made to money the acquisition of a Ferrari. However, Maelstrom aboriginal clarified that the determination was rooted successful hazard absorption alternatively than luxury spending.

Why Hayes sold Hyperliquid

In a Sept. 22 connection connected X, Maelstrom pointed to HYPE’s structural challenges, peculiarly its upcoming token unlock schedule, arsenic a important origin that could interaction its terms performance.

According to Maelstrom, Hyperliquid faces a “Damocles Sword” infinitesimal opening Nov. 29, erstwhile 237.8 cardinal tokens volition commencement vesting linearly implicit 24 months. At an mean terms of $50, that amounts to $11.9 cardinal successful imaginable supply, oregon astir $500 cardinal successful tokens released monthly.

The money calculated that Hyperliquid’s buyback mechanics tin lone sorb astir 17% of this issuance, exposing astir $410 cardinal worthy of tokens to open-market income each month.

Moreover, the crypto money noted that request from integer plus treasury firms similar Sonnet mightiness not beryllium capable to prevention Hyperliquid arsenic their purchases would beryllium “just a driblet successful the bucket compared against impending HYPE unlocks.”

Hyperliquid HYPE Token UnlockHyperliquid HYPE Token Unlock (Source: Maelstrom)

In addition, the steadfast added that HYPE developers are apt to merchantability portions of their allocations erstwhile vesting begins.

According to Maelstrom:

“Put yourself successful the shoes of a Hyperliquid dev. You’ve worked insanely hard for years. A beingness changing sum successful tokens is starting to vest; and it’s lone 1 click away. What would you do?”

Rising competition

Beyond the token economics, Maelstrom argued that Hyperliquid present faces stronger rivals successful the perpetual DEX arena from Lighter and Binance-backed Aster.

Over the past week, the caller level has enjoyed important support from Binance laminitis Changpeng Zhao and boasts respective unsocial features similar hidden orders and multichain support.

As a result, Aster has emerged arsenic a darling of the crypto industry, with its DEX measurement flipping that of Hyperliquid during the past 24 hours.

Considering this, Maelstrom stated:

“You don’t devour the crypto establishment’s luncheon and locomotion distant unchallenged. Business is war, and the half-life of astir crypto products has historically been abbreviated – winners pull a swarm of vampire attacks.”

Meanwhile, Hayes has not abandoned his bullish stance wholly arsenic helium maintained that HYPE could inactive execute a 128x summation by 2028.

The station Why Arthur Hayes sold $5.1 cardinal HYPE tokens due to the fact that of $12B Hyperliquid concern appeared archetypal connected CryptoSlate.

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