On March 2, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social a plan to establish a U.S. crypto strategic reserve that would include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) — a move aimed at positioning the United States as the “Crypto Capital of the World.” The announcement triggered an immediate market rally, with Bitcoin climbing to the $95,000 range and some altcoins surging up to 75%.
Perfect Timing: Whale Opens 50x Leverage Positions
Just before the announcement, an unidentified whale deposited USDC into the leveraged trading platform Hyperliquid and opened long positions with entry prices of $85,908 for BTC and $2,197 for ETH. Using 50x leverage, the trader controlled a notional value of approximately $300 million. By early March 2, as BTC and ETH prices surged, the whale’s unrealized profits exceeded $1.6 million, according to multiple market surveillance reports.
High-Risk Strategy: Liquidation Prices Within Reach
The positions carried liquidation prices of $84,752 for BTC and $2,149.40 for ETH, meaning any price drop of roughly 1.3% could wipe out the entire margin. Analysts noted that the whale’s entry timing aligned closely with Trump’s announcement, suggesting either anticipation of the policy shift or a rapid reaction to early market movements. Such leveraged strategies are common in the volatile crypto derivatives market, where traders exploit short-term price swings driven by macroeconomic or regulatory news.
Market Implications and Risk Warning
This event underscores the double-edged nature of leveraged trading. With 50x leverage, a mere 2% adverse move can liquidate the entire position. While this whale profited handsomely, ordinary investors should be cautious of the potential for total loss. Trump’s crypto reserve proposal remains a plan; its eventual implementation could still cause significant market volatility. Regulatory clarity or further political developments will likely influence the direction of Bitcoin and Ethereum prices in the coming weeks.