The Shocking Revelation About Hayden Davis

Hayden Davis, a 28-year-old crypto figure tied to Kelsier Ventures, has a dark past. He’s the mastermind behind the $1 billion collapse of tokens like LIBRA, TRUMP, and MELANIA, as revealed in a MiTrade article. Now, he’s making headlines again—this time for quietly earning a staggering $175,000 yearly salary through decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. A recent X thread by @dethective on April 22, 2025, broke down his strategy, showing how he’s using platforms like Kamino and Aave to generate passive income while seemingly evading accountability for his past scams.

Breaking Down Hayden’s $175K DeFi Strategy

According to the X thread, Davis is strategically deploying millions across two major blockchain networks: Solana and Ethereum. Let’s dive into the details of his approach.

Step 1: Moving $2.4M on Solana

Two weeks before the post, Davis transferred $2.4 million in USDC (a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar) from one Kelsier Ventures address to another. USDC is a popular choice in DeFi because it minimizes volatility compared to other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. He then deposited this $2.4 million into Kamino, a Solana-based platform for borrowing, lending, and earning yield.

On Kamino, Davis is earning a 5.6% annual percentage yield (APY) on his USDC deposit, which translates to $134,000 per year. APY is the rate of return you earn on an investment over a year, accounting for compound interest. Additionally, he’s likely farming airdrop points—rewards some DeFi platforms give users for participation, which can later be converted into tokens with real value.

Step 2: Depositing $1.2M on Aave (Ethereum)

At the same time, Davis is active on Ethereum, a blockchain known for its robust DeFi ecosystem. He deposited $1.2 million in USDT (another stablecoin, also pegged to the U.S. dollar) into Aave, an open-source liquidity protocol. Aave allows users to lend and borrow assets while earning interest. Here, Davis is earning a 3.43% APY on his USDT, which amounts to $41,000 annually.

Total Earnings: $175K Per Year

Adding it up, Davis is raking in $134,000 from Kamino and $41,000 from Aave, totaling a hefty $175,000 yearly income. This passive income strategy showcases how DeFi can be exploited for profit—especially by someone with significant capital and a questionable moral compass.

Who Is Hayden Davis, Really?

Davis’s journey into crypto is a wild one. Starting as a small-time hustler selling Oreos to pay rent, he rose to infamy through Kelsier Ventures, his family-run venture capital firm. The firm made early investments in crypto exchanges, NFTs, and meme coins, including a major connection to Meteora, the exchange that launched $LIBRA and $MELANIA. Davis admitted on Coffeezilla to orchestrating rug pulls—scams where developers abandon a project after hyping it up, leaving investors with worthless tokens. His scams led to a $1 billion collapse, impacting countless investors.

Despite this, Davis operates openly. The X thread provides his Solana and Ethereum wallet addresses, showing transparency in his current moves. However, replies to the thread reveal public outrage. Users like @cuppy_meow called for Interpol to arrest him, while @CallmeTRUEBLU expressed shock that he’s still free. Another user, @Salomon14395905, noted that since the USDT Foundation hasn’t frozen his funds, he might not be breaking any laws—at least not in this specific DeFi activity.

Why This Matters: The Dark Side of DeFi

Davis’s story highlights the double-edged sword of decentralized finance. On one hand, platforms like Kamino and Aave democratize access to financial tools, allowing anyone to earn yield on their assets without a bank. On the other hand, they can be exploited by bad actors like Davis, who use their ill-gotten gains to generate more wealth while evading justice.

The lack of regulation in DeFi raises questions. For instance, a U.S. Department of Justice report from October 2024 details how Tether Limited Inc. froze $200,000 in USDT linked to a fraud case. Yet, Davis’s $1.2 million in USDT on Aave remains untouched. Why hasn’t the USDT Foundation acted? Is Davis operating within a legal gray area, or are authorities simply unable to keep up with the fast-moving crypto world?

What’s Next for Hayden Davis?

The X thread sparked varied reactions. Some, like @ny_joker_eth, were impressed by Davis’s low-key approach, calling it “next-level.” Others, like @AlphaWolfPRMR, humorously noted they’d need $3.6 million to replicate his strategy. Meanwhile, @Octop3s asked how much Davis has made overall—a question that remains unanswered but likely reaches into the tens of millions given his history.

Davis’s past also includes troubling family ties. His father is a felon, and his family has connections to a violent cult, adding layers of complexity to his story. As he continues to profit from DeFi, the crypto community watches with a mix of fascination and frustration. Will he face justice for his past scams, or will he keep quietly building his empire in the shadows of Solana and Ethereum?

Final Thoughts

Hayden Davis’s $175,000 yearly DeFi income is a masterclass in passive income generation—but it comes with a bitter twist. His success is built on the ruins of a $1 billion scam that hurt many investors. If you’re intrigued by DeFi, platforms like Kamino and Aave offer real opportunities to earn yield, but always do your research and be wary of who you’re following. The crypto world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing, and Davis is a prime example.