In a remarkable move, a trader realized a profit of $909,000 after closing an $18.8 million short position on Ethereum (ETH) in under sixty minutes, as revealed by Hyperliquid’s on-chain analytics. The trade, entered at an average price of $2,991, underscores both the unpredictable swings of the cryptocurrency market and the tactical advantages available on decentralized trading platforms. This latest win brings the trader’s total earnings on Hyperliquid to $10.23 million.
This transaction took place as Ethereum hovered around $2,903 on November 25, buoyed by $96.67 million in ETF inflows and a boost in investor confidence.
Ethereum’s recent price trajectory has been shaped by a mix of technical signals and broader economic trends. Over a two-week period, ETH experienced a 23% drop from $2,652 to $2,820, lagging behind both Bitcoin and Solana, which each saw declines of about 20%. Despite this, ETF inflows—such as a $92.6 million injection from BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF—helped provide a temporary price floor.
Large holders, or “whales,” have also been active. BitMine, for instance, increased its ETH reserves by 69,822 coins (worth $200 million), raising its total to 3.63 million ETH, which accounts for roughly 3% of the entire Ethereum supply.
The trader’s successful short aligned with mixed technical signals for Ethereum.
Meanwhile, the broader crypto market faced downward pressure ahead of Hyperliquid’s token unlocks, with the HYPE token trading within a descending wedge pattern. Analysts suggested that a breakout above $33.72 for HYPE could renew buying momentum, while Ethereum’s immediate support was identified at $2,850.
This trade unfolded amid changing macroeconomic expectations. The probability of a Federal Reserve rate cut for December jumped from 30% to over 80%, influencing market sentiment. At the same time, Strive Asset Management announced plans to merge and form a public Bitcoin Treasury Company, aiming to raise $1 billion for Bitcoin accumulation—highlighting growing institutional interest in digital assets.
Hyperliquid continues to play a central role in market activity. The platform is preparing to introduce Hyperliquid Strategies, a decentralized autonomous treasury (DAT) initiative led by former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond. This project could see $300 million in HYPE token purchases, potentially stabilizing the token’s price. These developments mirror a broader trend of institutional-grade strategies entering the crypto space, as demonstrated by Strive’s tax-advantaged equity swaps and plans for leveraged capital deployment.
This rapid-fire ETH short trade highlights the lucrative yet risky nature of cryptocurrency markets, where sharp price movements and advanced trading tools can lead to substantial gains—or losses. The trader’s previous $1.6 million loss on a Bitcoin short serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers of leveraged positions. For investors, this episode illustrates how technical analysis, macroeconomic factors, and platform-specific events can all influence short-term trading outcomes.