Arthur Hayes, the co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX, is shifting part of his focus from digital finance to the science of extending human life. Fresh off a presidential pardon from Donald Trump earlier this year, Hayes has made a significant investment in a stem cell clinic where he has been undergoing treatments for more than a year.
The clinic, with operations in Mexico and Bangkok, provides stem cell infusions aimed at improving health and prolonging life. Hayes described his motivation in simple terms: “I want to live as long as possible, as healthy as possible,” calling longevity science the next frontier. Alongside his investment, he has joined the company’s board, though he declined to reveal its name as it is currently rebranding.
This turn toward wellness comes after years of legal battles. In 2020, Hayes and BitMEX co-founders Benjamin Delo and Samuel Reed faced charges under the Bank Secrecy Act. By 2022, they pleaded guilty, each paying $10 million in fines, and were handed probation. With Trump’s pardon earlier this year, their records were officially cleared.
Despite the legal drama, Hayes never disappeared from public view. He maintained a lifestyle split between Singapore and Japan, where skiing became one of his favourite escapes. His essays—often blending market insights, internet culture, and finance—have remained influential. One essay, “Dust on Crust,” directly inspired the creation of Ethena’s synthetic dollar, now valued at over $11 billion.
Hayes’s venture into longevity mirrors a broader trend among tech and crypto leaders. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has contributed millions to life-extension initiatives, while Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong co-founded NewLimit, a biotech startup that raised $130 million this year to pursue anti-ageing research.
Beyond longevity, Hayes’s family office, Maelstrom, continues to invest in both digital asset treasuries and experimental ventures. While his business partner occasionally cautions him against going “all in” on bold bets, Hayes appears determined to push boundaries—whether in crypto, markets, or the science of living longer.
