BitMEX Co-founder Hayes ramps up investment, early startup funding trend indicator for 2026 becomes prominent

【Crypto World】The wave of funding for crypto startups continues to heat up. BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has recently been making frequent investments in this sector, with significant moves. Market data shows that in the first two weeks of 2026, funding in this field has already reached $588 million — this pace is indeed quite aggressive. Where is the money flowing? Mainly into three areas: payments, exchanges, and trading infrastructure. From the perspective of capital trends, what top-tier investors are betting on often reflects market expectations for the future. In this round of funding, the popularity of trading infrastructure is especially prominent, indicating that everyone is preparing for the next wave of trading volume. The fundraising ability of the payments sector is also not to be underestimated, as the payment needs within the DeFi ecosystem are being redefined. It seems that projects capable of solving real problems and enhancing user experience are gaining more attention.