Arthur Hayes Predicts Bitcoin Pullback to $90K—Then a Monster Rally Ahead

Bitcoin's bull run might need a pit stop before liftoff. Arthur Hayes—crypto's resident provocateur—just flagged a potential dip to $90K as the last shakeout before the next leg up.

Here's why traders aren't sweating the forecast.

The 'Healthy Correction' Playbook

Markets breathe. Even crypto. Hayes' call mirrors classic Wyckoff accumulation patterns—where assets take a gut punch before moon missions. Remember 2024's 40% flush before the $150K breakout?

Liquidity Hunt in Thin Markets

Summer trading volumes suck. Hedge funds nap on yachts while algos feast on stop losses. A 10-15% drop to $90K? Just enough to liquidate overleveraged retail before institutions back up the truck.

The Cynic's Corner

Wall Street still can't decide if BTC is digital gold or a 'risk asset.' Meanwhile, Bitcoiners stack sats while bankers debate basis trades.

Zoom out. The halving pump hasn't even started. Hayes' $90K warning isn't a red flag—it's a Black Friday sale notice for crypto natives.

In his latest blog post titled “Quid Pro Stablecoin,” Arthur Hayes delivers a sharp analysis of the current macroeconomic landscape and how it may affect the crypto market. He warns that crypto prices could move sideways—or slightly lower—between now and the Jackson Hole economic symposium in August.

Why Hayes Expects a Bitcoin Price Dip

Hayes believes a market correction is likely in the NEAR term. With Bitcoin’s recent price surge, traders may take profits while waiting for clearer signals from the Federal Reserve. He highlights one key factor: if the U.S. Treasury begins replenishing its General Account (TGA), it could withdraw liquidity from the system, placing pressure on risk assets like crypto.

Drawing from past market cycles and sentiment shifts, Hayes projects a temporary dip in Bitcoin’s price to around $90,000, potentially flushing out weak hands before the next leg up.

He also warns that this liquidity squeeze could create a “summer lull”—a period of sideways or downward movement—until at least the Jackson Hole event in late August. If macro conditions worsen, Hayes may reduce Maelstrom’s Bitcoin exposure, though the fund has already exited its illiquid altcoin positions.

Traditional Banks and Stablecoins Could Drive the Next Bull Run

What makes this cycle different, according to Hayes, is the growing role of traditional banks in crypto. With the U.S. government signaling support for stablecoins—especially after the Senate passed the—banks likemay soon launch their own USD-backed tokens.

Unlike existing stablecoins like USDC or Tether, these bank-issued tokens WOULD come with full regulatory backing and access to the Federal Reserve system.

Hayes emphasizes that the stablecoin push is not just about consumer safety—it’s also a strategy for the U.S. government to exert greater control over crypto’s monetary flows. This shift could change how liquidity moves within the crypto market and force issuers to meet stricter reserve requirements or obtain special licenses.

A Game-Changer for Crypto Liquidity

Hayes calls these developments a “game-changer.” He explains that regulated bank-issued stablecoins would allow banks to channel retail deposits into short-term U.S. Treasuries without violating capital rules. This could act like a new FORM of quantitative easing, injecting fresh liquidity into markets—without any official intervention from the Federal Reserve.

Could $6.8 Trillion Flow Into Crypto?

Hayes estimates that if even a portion of the $17 trillion currently sitting in U.S. bank deposits flows into these new stablecoins, it could result in $6.8 trillion in demand for Treasury securities. This massive wave of liquidity wouldn’t just stay confined to bonds—it could spill over into crypto and tech stocks, potentially igniting the next major bull market.