BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes said he is waiting to buy Bitcoin until the US Federal Reserve shifts toward easier monetary policy.
He made the comments on the Coin Stories podcast with Natalie Brunell.
Waiting for a policy pivot
Hayes said he would not buy Bitcoin immediately if he had new capital to deploy:
“If I had $1 to invest right now, would I be putting it into Bitcoin? No. I would wait.”
He argued that the key catalyst is central bank liquidity rather than conflict itself.
Hayes said:
“That’s when I’m going to buy Bitcoin when the central banks start printing money.”
He added that while some claim war is bullish for Bitcoin, his view is different.
Hayes said:
“Money printing is good for Bitcoin.”
Price levels and downside risk
Hayes said he was unsure whether Bitcoin had already bottomed.
Bitcoin was trading around $69,926 at the time of publication, about 45% below its October all-time high near $126,000, according to the report.
He warned that escalating geopolitical tensions could trigger a broader sell-off across equities and Bitcoin.
Hayes said:
“[With] the unfortunate war between US and Iran, I think that there is a situation where the longer that this carries on, there could be a massive sell-off in equities and Bitcoin.”
$250,000 target still in view
Hayes said a risk-off move could push Bitcoin below $60,000 and lead to cascading liquidations.
Bitcoin briefly touched $60,000 on Feb. 6 before moving into a mild uptrend.
Hayes has also maintained a $250,000 Bitcoin target for 2026.
He added that he does not expect many more years with Bitcoin “sub 100,000.”
