Yup, you read that right.
On October 20th 2023, something remarkable happened in the world of cryptocurrency. Hayden Adams, the founder of Uniswap, made a surprising move that sent shockwaves through the crypto community. He decided to burn 99% of the entire supply of a cryptocurrency called HayCoin. But why did he do this, and what impact did it have on the world of digital currencies?
Five years ago, Hayden Adams introduced HayCoin as a testing tool before Uniswap v1’s launch. After the v1 launch, he kept most in his wallet. Recently, HayCoin’s popularity surged unexpectedly due to traders buying and selling it like a memecoin. Feeling uneasy, Adams burned nearly the entire supply, valued at approximately $650 billion. For the full story, see the linked tweet.
Following this unprecedented move, some individuals added liquidity to the token, embracing what’s colloquially known as “degen” mode. This action led to a remarkable price surge, with $HAY now trading at an astonishing $3.6 million per token. This surge reflects a substantial 6-7x increase from the time of the burning event.
What if Hayden Adams Had Sold HayCoin Instead?
Had he chosen to sell the token instead, it could have had dire consequences for both the cryptocurrency market and his own reputation. Such a massive sale would likely have caused extreme volatility, driving down the price dramatically and potentially rendering the token nearly worthless for investors. Moreover, it could have damaged Adams’ credibility and reputation in the crypto community, leading to accusations of exploiting retail investors and manipulating the market. Regulators might also have taken an interest, considering the scale of the sale.
Adams wanted to make his intentions crystal clear. He declared his disassociation from HayCoin and destroyed all HAY tokens in his wallet. He also believed speculating on HayCoin was irrational and didn’t want his profile picture linked to its logo, even hinting at possible image removal.
This announcement from Hayden Adams serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and uniqueness of the cryptocurrency space. It highlights how a token created for testing purposes can unexpectedly capture the imagination of the crypto community, leading to unusual trading activity and decisions by its creator. The burning of HayCoin’s supply was a significant event in the crypto world, illustrating the complexities and quirks of this ever-evolving digital frontier while helping Adams avoid potential repercussions from a massive token sale.