Bitcoin News Today: Whale Wins $17M Amid Volatility as Rival's $1.85M Loss Exposes Market Risks

A crypto whale identified as "0xc2a" has defied October's market volatility, securing a $17 million profit from long positions on Bitcoin and Ethereum. Blockchain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence reported that the trader opened these positions ahead of a market rebound, capitalizing on Bitcoin's 4% and Ethereum's 2% gains last week, according to a BeInCrypto report. The trader's success comes after a turbulent period that saw over $20 billion in leveraged positions liquidated on October 10, triggered by President Donald Trump's announcement of a 100% tariff on Chinese imports, the BeInCrypto report said.

The 0xc2a account, which maintains a 100% win rate since inception, currently holds 1,483 BTC ($165.5 million) and 33,270 ETH ($131.3 million) in active long positions, the BeInCrypto report added. This strategy has drawn attention from traders and analysts on social media platforms, highlighting the role of whale behavior in shaping market sentiment. Large holders, capable of influencing price movements, often act as barometers for institutional positioning, with smaller traders closely monitoring their actions for trend signals.

Meanwhile, a contrasting narrative emerged from a rival whale position. AI Auntie's monitoring, reported by Lookonchain, shows an opposing address faces a $1.85 million floating loss, with a liquidation price of $116,903.9—approximately $4,100 above the current Bitcoin price. This position underscores the risks of leveraged trading in a market still grappling with geopolitical uncertainty and shifting risk appetite.

The October turmoil also saw another high-profile whale linked to Trump's camp close a $200 million Bitcoin short position. The Ethereum address ending in "7283ae" profited $6.4 million by betting against Bitcoin's decline, only to see the asset rebound to $110,500 by Thursday, according to a Yahoo Finance report. This whale's activities, initially tied to the October 10 liquidation frenzy, have sparked debates about market manipulation, with some analysts alleging coordination between exchanges and market makers, as explored in a CryptoNews analysis.

The crypto landscape remains fragmented, with institutional players accelerating consolidation. FalconX's pending acquisition of 21Shares and Coinbase's Echo purchase exemplify a broader trend of mergers and acquisitions surpassing $10 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, regulatory efforts continue, as Crypto.com seeks a U.S. federal bank charter to expand custody services, according to the CryptoNews analysis.

For now, the success of traders like 0xc2a offers cautious optimism in an otherwise turbulent market. Their disciplined timing and strategic positioning serve as a reminder that, even amid volatility, skillful execution can yield outsized rewards, according to a Yahoo Finance report.