A mysterious whale has scored a $1.6 million profit by taking a high-risk 50x leveraged long position on Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) just hours before President Donald Trump's surprise announcement of a proposed U.S. crypto strategic reserve. According to on-chain data and multiple reports, the trader deposited USDC on the decentralized leveraged trading platform Hyperliquid early on March 2, 2025, and opened positions with entry prices of $85,908 for BTC and $2,197 for ETH. The total notional value of the positions reached approximately $300 million.
Trump’s Crypto Reserve Bombshell
Trump's announcement, made via his Truth Social platform, revealed plans to include BTC, ETH, XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) in a national digital asset reserve, aiming to position the U.S. as the “Crypto Capital of the World.” The policy shift triggered immediate market rallies, with Bitcoin surging to the $95,000 range and other assets such as XRP and ADA gaining up to 75%. The whale's leveraged long positions quickly moved into profit as prices climbed. By early March 2, the trader had liquidated the positions, realizing gains exceeding $1.6 million.
High Leverage, High Stakes
The 50x leverage amplified both potential gains and risks. Liquidation prices were set at $84,752 for BTC and $2,149.40 for ETH, meaning a mere 2% price decline in either asset would have wiped out the entire position. Such strategies are common among sophisticated traders in volatile crypto markets, especially when anticipating macroeconomic or regulatory catalysts. Analysts noted that the whale's entry timing was remarkably close to the announcement’s release, suggesting either advanced knowledge of the policy or a quick reaction to early market movements. Hyperliquid, known for its low slippage and on-chain transparency, has become a preferred platform for large-scale leveraged bets.
While the trade was a resounding success, experts caution that 50x leverage is akin to walking a tightrope. “One misstep and you're out,” said a veteran derivatives trader. “This whale had both precision timing and a strong stomach for risk.” Post-profit, the address transferred funds to multiple cold wallets, reflecting disciplined capital management. As of press time, BTC is trading near $94,300 and ETH around $2,580, with the market still digesting the longer-term implications of Trump’s crypto reserve plan. This trade stands out as one of the most spectacular high-leverage plays of early 2025.