Arthur Hayes Sells $3.1M in DeFi Tokens Amid Market Slump

BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has offloaded over $3 million in DeFi tokens, raising eyebrows across the crypto world as markets continue to show weakness.

Key Takeaways

• Arthur Hayes sold ENA, ETHFI, and PENDLE worth a total of $3.1 million on February 9, 2026, during a major DeFi market downturn.
• All three tokens have plunged between 85% and 94% from recent highs, signaling deep losses.
• This is not Hayes’ first high-profile dump. Past sales in 2025 led to regrets when markets rebounded.
• Market watchers are divided on whether this move reflects a larger strategy or signs of uncertainty from major players.

What Happened?

On February 9, Arthur Hayes reportedly sold large amounts of DeFi tokens: $1.06 million in Ethena (ENA), $954,000 in Ether.fi (ETHFI), and $1.14 million in Pendle (PENDLE). The transaction drew attention as it happened during a period of sharp declines in DeFi assets. These tokens were already severely down, with losses ranging from 81% to more than 94% from their peak values.

Arthur Hayes’ Latest DeFi Exit

Arthur Hayes is known for making bold investment moves, and his recent sell-off has reignited debate in the crypto community. Blockchain analysis platform Lookonchain flagged the high-value token movements, sparking speculation that Hayes might be preparing for another market downturn.

This isn’t the first time Hayes has made such a move:

• In August 2025, he sold off several altcoins ahead of what he believed would be a major correction. Instead, the market rallied, particularly ETH, leading Hayes to publicly admit his mistake and even joke about it on X.
• He later bought back many of the same assets at higher prices, including ETH, ENA, and ETHFI.
• In November 2025, Lookonchain again tracked Hayes selling 520 ETH for $1.66 million and rotating into ENA and ETHFI.
• By December 2025, he appeared to have reaccumulated PENDLE, ENA, ETHFI, and even Lido DAO (LDO).

This cycle of selling and rebuying has made Hayes’ moves closely watched, even if sometimes unpredictable.

The Tokens in Trouble

All three tokens Hayes dumped are under severe selling pressure:

• Ethena (ENA) is down 86% from its October peak, trading around $0.12, far below its prior support levels. While some indicators like RSI and MACD suggest potential for a rebound, sentiment remains extremely bearish.
• Pendle (PENDLE) has declined 81%, now hovering just above $1.14. With an RSI of 28.30, it’s deep in oversold territory but shows no strong catalyst for reversal.
• Ether.fi (ETHFI) saw the most severe fall, plunging 94.53% from its highs. The token has wiped out all gains since March 2024, and technical signs of a turnaround are too weak to shift sentiment.

These tokens are in freefall, and Hayes’ exit may signal little confidence in a near-term rebound.

Strategic Move or Market Signal?

The timing of Hayes’ sell-off has divided opinion. Some accuse him of “selling the bottom” yet again, repeating the same misstep from 2025. Others believe this could be a calculated shift to stablecoins or a wait-and-watch approach amid broader uncertainty in the DeFi sector.

Despite the criticism, Hayes has a reputation for long-term strategic thinking. While his past miscalculations are well documented, they also highlight his willingness to adjust positions quickly in fast-moving markets.

CoinLaw’s Takeaway

I’ve followed Arthur Hayes’ moves for years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you never ignore when a whale makes waves. Selling $3.1 million in battered DeFi tokens isn’t necessarily panic. In my experience, Hayes tends to rotate assets based on macro trends he believes are unfolding. Still, let’s be real. This latest dump follows a pattern of timing misfires that cost him before, and it might just be another case of jumping ship a little too early. Whether this is risk management or a red flag depends on what happens next in the DeFi space. For now, this is a signal for everyone to reassess their exposure to smaller tokens in a volatile market.

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