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Key Points:
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A crypto whale earned $160 million shorting Bitcoin and Ethereum before a major market drop.
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Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese imports triggered over $20 billion in crypto losses.
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More than 1.6 million traders were liquidated within 30 hours.
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Data shows how geopolitical shocks can reshape crypto markets fast.
Bitcoin crash makes one trader $160 million richer
Bitcoin crash is again the talk of the crypto world. A single crypto whale earned over $160 million in only 30 hours by shorting Bitcoin and Ethereum before prices plunged. This trader predicted the market downturn triggered by Trump tariffs and acted decisively.
According to blockchain analytics firm Lookonchain, the whale opened more than $1.1 billion in short positions against Bitcoin and Ethereum. The move came right before both assets lost momentum after a week of bullish activity.
Within hours, prices tumbled. The trader’s positions became highly profitable, turning a bold bet into a $160 million windfall. From my standpoint, this shows how one strategic move during volatile times can reshape fortunes in the crypto world.
According to the Lookonchain X account:
Market shock from Trump tariffs
The Bitcoin crash did not come from market cycles alone. It followed a sharp policy shift when former U.S. President Donald Trump announced 100% tariffs on Chinese imports and new export controls on the software industry. These measures spooked investors, sending risk assets lower and wiping out over $20 billion in crypto positions.
Data reveals that more than 1.6 million traders faced liquidations in under two days. Long traders, those betting on price gains, absorbed most of the pain with $16.82 billion in losses. Short traders also lost $2.5 billion despite the drop, showing how extreme volatility hit both sides.
$BTC PRICE NOW
Crypto whale strategy during the Bitcoin crash
The whale’s success came from precise timing. Reports show the trader started closing positions once the profits reached their peak, keeping only 821.6 BTC worth about $92 million. This partial exit protected gains while still maintaining exposure to further downside risk.
The timing has led to heavy speculation. Many wonder if the trader had early insight into Trump’s tariff announcement. While there’s no proof, such a coincidence suggests close attention to macroeconomic signals and market sentiment.
The Bitcoin price decline led to massive liquidations across several major exchanges. Hyperliquid handled the largest share, processing $10.3 billion, about 53% of all liquidations. Bybit followed with $4.65 billion, while Binance and OKX recorded $2.39 billion and $1.21 billion, respectively.
Among cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin traders lost $5.37 billion, Ethereum traders $4.43 billion, and Solana traders $2 billion, while HYPE and XRP followed with $890 million and $708 million.
These numbers show how a single geopolitical announcement can destabilize markets. The connection between global politics and crypto prices is stronger than many assume. With this flash crash, we have seen prices to levels that were hard to believe to be seen again: $SUI at $0.5, $XRP went almost under $1, while the deepest crush ever was on Binance on ATOM/USDT at…have your seat belt please!…$0,001!! Yes, that’s correct! $ATOM token was $0,001 on Binance!
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Lessons from the Bitcoin crash and Ethereum shorts
From my experience, the Bitcoin crash underlines one truth: preparation beats prediction. The crypto whale did not rely on luck but on the anticipation of external triggers. Watching macroeconomic shifts, such as Trump tariffs, is now as critical as reading blockchain data.
The episode also shows the dangers for retail traders who ignore leverage risks. Many of the 1.6 million liquidated traders used high leverage, amplifying their losses when prices turned.
Volatility will always define crypto markets. Still, traders can protect themselves by using stop losses, diversifying, and understanding global news before making trades.
The Bitcoin crash is a reminder of how fast fortunes can change. A crypto whale earned millions, while millions of others faced losses. As markets react to political and economic shocks, the need for strategy, not speculation, becomes more important than ever.
