Arthur Hayes Predicts Ethereum at $10,000 by End of 2026
In this article
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of the defunct BitMEX exchange, said at the KBW2026 with Upbit event that Ethereum will reach $10,000 by the end of the year, according to PANews. The prediction came as Spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a net outflow of approximately $2.81 million over the past 24 hours, CNBC reported PANews cited CoinDesk.
ETF inflows reverse as ETH consolidates
Spot Ethereum ETFs had drawn more than $850 million in net inflows between September 18 and the end of last week, Ambcrypto reported. That streak ended, with roughly $2.81 million exiting the products in the most recent 24-hour window. The shift was small relative to the weekly total but coincided with Ethereum’s price cooling off above $2,500.
On the charts, ETH was trading inside a symmetrical triangle with price near the apex, according to Ambcrypto. The consolidation originated from a retest of a sideways range between $2,300 and $2,550. The momentum indicator sat flat at 1.62, just above neutral, suggesting low volatility that often precedes larger moves.
Ambcrypto noted that a break and hold below the lower resistance would trigger a move to $2,550 or lower if bears outweigh bulls. Clearing the upper resistance, by contrast, increases the chance of trading toward $10,000.
Hayes explains why he favors Ethereum
Speaking at the KBW2026 with Upbit event, Hayes said he was not worried about putting large amounts of money into Ethereum because of some exploit. He called Ethereum the most secure layer 1, citing its market cap among altcoins, according to Ambcrypto.
When asked why Ethereum had underperformed, Hayes pointed to blockchains that had captured prevailing narratives. He noted that Solana captured the memecoin narrative, making Ethereum a victim of its own success despite pioneering decentralized computer networks. PANews, citing CoinDesk, reported the same $10,000 target but did not include Hayes’s comments on Ethereum’s security or its competition with Solana.
Why it matters
Hayes’s target is one of the most aggressive year-end calls from a prominent industry figure. It conflicts with the cautious technical picture Ambcrypto described: Ethereum is still trading above $2,500 but faces $2,800 as a hurdle, and ETF flows have just turned negative. If the $10,000 prediction proves wrong, traders who acted on it could face losses. If it proves right, it would represent a near-fourfold increase from current levels.
The ETF flow reversal suggests institutional demand may be cooling even as retail-facing voices like Hayes turn more bullish. Readers should weigh the prediction against the ETF data and the triangle pattern rather than treating either as definitive.
What to watch
Whether Ethereum can clear the upper resistance of its symmetrical triangle and sustain above $2,800 will signal if buyers are in control. Daily Spot ETH ETF flow data from SoSoValue, which Ambcrypto cited, will show if institutional capital returns. Any breakout above the triangle apex may bring the $10,000 target closer to the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arthur Hayes’s Ethereum price target for 2026?
Hayes said he expects ETH to reach $10,000 by the end of the year, speaking at the KBW2026 with Upbit event. The prediction was reported by PANews and Ambcrypto.
Why did Spot Ethereum ETF inflows turn negative?
After attracting over $850 million in positive net inflows since September 18, the products saw approximately $2.81 million leave the market in the past 24 hours. Ambcrypto linked weakening inflows to ETH’s price consolidation.
What does the symmetrical triangle pattern mean for Ethereum?
Ambcrypto noted that a break above the upper resistance could increase the chance of trading toward $10,000, while a break below the lower support could trigger a move to $2,550 or lower.
Why does Hayes consider Ethereum the most secure layer 1?
Hayes cited Ethereum’s market cap among altcoins as the basis for calling it the most secure layer 1. He was speaking at the KBW2026 with Upbit event.
