In a stunning display of high-stakes crypto trading, an Ethereum (ETH) whale has secured an unrealized profit exceeding $58 million by shorting ETH at $3,220 with a staggering 50x leverage, according to on-chain data shared by Lookonchain on X on February 25, 2025. The move, detailed in a post with 189,442,110,245,120,0470, has sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency community, highlighting both the immense profit potential and the volatile nature of the crypto market in early 2025.
The whale’s position, captured in a screenshot of a trading dashboard, shows an open short position on ETH with an entry price of $3,220, currently valued at $2,202.06 as of the post’s timestamp. Including funding fees, the unrealized profit stands at over $58 million, a testament to the whale’s precise timing amid a broader market correction. Ethereum’s price has been under pressure, dipping to around $3,050 in recent weeks due to a combination of macroeconomic factors, including the Trump administration’s tariff policies announced on February 1, 2025, which triggered a sell-off across crypto and traditional markets.
“Lookonchain’s revelation underscores the high-risk, high-reward nature of leveraged trading in crypto,” said crypto analyst Priya Sharma. “This whale capitalized on Ethereum’s downward trend, but such moves come with the risk of liquidation if the market reverses unexpectedly.”
The crypto community has been abuzz with reactions on X, with users like @Hunter_sats calling the trade a “massive move” and @shreyans2788 speculating that closing this position could trigger a bounce back for ETH prices. However, some, like @CaramelCoffee8, humorously dubbed it “bullish selling,” reflecting the complex sentiment around such large-scale trades.
Related web reports from early February 2025, including insights from Coingape, indicate that Ethereum whales have been active in accumulating ETH during price dips, with one whale previously minting $16.8 million in profit from a similar 50x short position. Analysts also point to a bullish inverse head-and-shoulders pattern forming on Ethereum’s technical charts, suggesting a potential recovery to $4,000, which could influence future whale strategies.
The broader crypto market has faced turbulence following President Donald Trump’s tariff threats against major trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and China, causing Bitcoin to fall below $100,000 and Ethereum to mirror the downward trend. Despite this, Ethereum’s historical performance in February—often its strongest month—fuels optimism among traders, even as leveraged positions like the whale’s carry inherent risks of forced liquidation in the volatile crypto landscape.
Ethereum trades at approximately $2,202.06, with the whale’s position still open, leaving the crypto world watching closely to see if they will lock in profits or ride the wave further. This trade serves as a stark reminder of the high-stakes nature of cryptocurrency markets, where fortunes can shift rapidly in the digital age.
Ethereum’s price reported at $2,512 USD earlier today, with a 24-hour trading volume of $29,460,890,551 USD and a market cap of $302,510,882,183 USD. However, the Lookonchain post from February 25, 2025, mentions Ethereum trading at $2,202.06 USD in the context of the whale’s short position, indicating a significant price drop within that day due to market volatility.
Given the rapid fluctuations in the crypto market, especially with the reported sell-offs and macroeconomic pressures like Trump administration tariffs, Ethereum’s price could have continued to decline or partially recovered by February 26, 2025. Based on the trend described—Ethereum down 11.07% in the last 24 hours.
