The Resurgence of ETH and the Strategic Moves of BTC OG Insider Whale

The cryptocurrency market in late 2025 has witnessed a striking resurgence in Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC) prices, driven by a confluence of macroeconomic factors and aggressive positioning by institutional and high-net-worth investors. Central to this narrative is the strategic activity of a Bitcoin OG known as "1011short," whose leveraged bets on ETH and BTC have become a focal point for market analysts. These moves, coupled with broader trends in leveraged position expansion, underscore a growing bullish sentiment that could signal a sustained upward trajectory for the crypto markets.

ETH's Resurgence: A Whale-Driven Narrative

Ethereum's recent price action has been bolstered by a $392.5 million long position expanded by a prominent whale on Hyperliquid, with a liquidation price of $2,234 per ETH. This move reflects a high-conviction bet on Ethereum's short-term upside, despite the asset's volatility. Simultaneously, the Bitcoin OG "1011short" has deployed a $491 million long position in ETH at 5x leverage, with an average entry price of $3,184.74. Such aggressive positioning by seasoned investors suggests a belief in Ethereum's ability to outperform in a market environment characterized by renewed institutional interest and regulatory clarity.

The Bitcoin OG's strategy extends beyond ETH. They have also taken a $92.58 million long position in BTC at 5x leverage, entered at $92,586, and a $29.75 million long in Solana (SOL) at 20x leverage. These diversified leveraged bets highlight a broader conviction in the crypto market's resilience, particularly as macroeconomic indicators like inflation and interest rates stabilize.

Leveraged Position Expansion: A Leading Indicator of Bullish Sentiment

Leveraged position expansion has historically served as a leading indicator of bullish sentiment in crypto markets. Data from the CoinGlass Crypto Derivatives Semi-Annual Report reveals that open interest (OI) in BTC derivatives surged past $70 billion by May 2025, driven by spot ETF inflows and strong futures demand. Positive funding rates during this period further signaled a dominance of long positions, reinforcing the view that leveraged traders were overwhelmingly optimistic about Bitcoin's price trajectory.

The actions of the Bitcoin OG and other whales align with this trend. For instance, a dormant whale re-entered the market in November 2025 by opening a $31.04 million BTC long position with 20x leverage, a move interpreted as a strong bullish signal. Such high-leverage positions, while risky, often amplify market movements by increasing demand and liquidity. Conversely, liquidations-such as the $37 million unrealized loss faced by one prominent trader during a 24-hour 8.5% market cap drop-highlight the fragility of leveraged strategies in volatile conditions.

Broader Market Trends and Whale Behavior

The influence of whale activities on market trends has been pronounced in 2023–2025. For example, the "Anti-CZ Whale" shifted from a short to a long position in Ethereum, accumulating over $15 million in unrealized profit. Similarly, "Brother Machi" tripled the size of his ETH long position, demonstrating strategic accumulation amid price fluctuations according to the same source. These examples illustrate how whale behavior can both reflect and shape market sentiment, often triggering cascading effects in derivatives and spot markets.

However, not all whale activity has been bullish. The "Insider Whale" opened a $234 million short position on Hyperliquid with 10x leverage, signaling bearish expectations. This duality underscores the complexity of interpreting whale movements, as conflicting positions can create short-term volatility. Yet, the overall trend remains skewed toward bullishness, with derivatives markets showing a 54.62% dominance of short positions on Hyperliquid, indicating a cautious but not bearish stance.

Conclusion: A Bullish Outlook Amid Strategic Risks

The resurgence of ETH and BTC in late 2025 is inextricably linked to the strategic leveraged positions taken by whales and institutional investors. These moves, while inherently risky, reflect a broader confidence in the crypto market's ability to withstand macroeconomic headwinds and regulatory scrutiny. As leveraged position expansion continues to act as a leading indicator, investors should monitor whale activity and derivatives metrics for further signals of market direction. While liquidation risks remain, the current landscape suggests a strong case for continued bullish momentum, particularly if macroeconomic conditions stabilize and institutional adoption accelerates.