Short Description: A crypto whale who famously profited $200 million shorting Bitcoin and Ethereum in October 2025 has now lost a staggering $250 million as Ethereum’s price plunges, revealing the market’s extreme volatility.
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Massive Loss for a Once-Lucky Whale
A previously celebrated cryptocurrency trader, dubbed the “$10B HyperUnit Whale,” has suffered a catastrophic $250 million loss, a dramatic reversal from their $200 million profit just months ago. According to data from blockchain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence, the whale has fully exited a massive Ethereum position on the Hyperliquid derivatives exchange. This staggering loss underlines the extreme volatility and high-risk nature of the crypto market, especially for large-scale leveraged traders. The incident highlights how quickly fortunes can reverse, even for those who appear to have mastered market timing.
From Trump Tariff Windfall to Ethereum’s Bear Market
The whale’s October 2025 windfall came from a perfectly timed short position opened minutes before President Trump announced steep tariffs on China, triggering a historic market crash that liquidated $19 billion across crypto. The curious timing raised concerns about potential insider trading, though no evidence was proven. This week, the tables turned. As Ethereum price slid under $4,000 and continued to plummet—now down over 53% from its August 2025 peak—the whale’s bullish bet collapsed. Ethereum’s sharp decline, part of a broader crypto sell-off, has officially pushed the asset into bear market territory, confirming fears of a sustained downturn.
The Enduring Mystery of the Whale’s Identity
The identity of this enigmatic trader remains a subject of intense speculation. Last year, blockchain investigators suggested a link to Garrett Jin, former CEO of the defunct BitForex exchange. Jin denied owning the funds but admitted to knowing the trader, suggesting the capital belonged to clients for whom his firm provides insights. Whether an individual or an entity, this whale’s story serves as a potent cautionary tale about the immense risks of high-stakes crypto derivatives trading, where a single market move can erase hundreds of millions in moments.
Short Summary:
A crypto whale’s fortune has flipped from a $200 million profit to a $250 million loss as Ethereum’s price crash triggers a massive position exit. This dramatic reversal, tracked by Arkham Intelligence, underscores the severe volatility and risks within the crypto derivatives market. The event highlights how rapidly the market sentiment can shift from bull to bear, serving as a stark warning to large-scale traders about the dangers of leveraged positions during a downturn.
