Crypto Trader James Wynn Loses 99% of $100 Million Holdings

Prominent crypto trader James Wynn has deactivated his social media account after his combined cryptocurrency wallet balance plummeted to a mere $10,176. This dramatic decline represents nearly a 99% loss from his estimated $100 million holdings earlier in 2025. Prior to deactivating his account, Wynn changed his profile bio to “broke,” and searches for his handle now return an error message indicating that the account no longer exists.

Wynn's downfall is a stark reminder of the extreme risks associated with high-leverage cryptocurrency trading. He built his reputation through aggressive leverage positions on HyperLiquid, often using 40x leverage while betting against market sentiment. This approach initially generated substantial profits, but ultimately, the losses eliminated his wealth. In May, Wynn’s $100 million Bitcoin (BTC) long position was liquidated when the BTC price dropped below $105,000, resulting in a loss of 949 BTC from his account. He attempted to recover by opening another $100 million position but suffered near-total losses again. His downfall accelerated through repeated attempts to recover losses with increasingly risky positions.

Following his initial losses, Wynn appealed to the cryptocurrency community for financial assistance. At least 24 different wallet addresses sent funds attempting to help the trader recover his positions. Despite community support, the donations proved insufficient to restore Wynn’s trading capital or prevent further liquidations. His remaining balance of $10,176 is just a fraction of the assistance received from supporters.

Wynn also posted about his poor risk management practices before stepping down from social media. “I’m effectively gambling,” he admitted. He also described his approach as fundamentally flawed rather than strategic trading. His story serves as a cautionary tale for the risks associated with high-leverage cryptocurrency trading, particularly during volatile market periods. Professional traders typically recommend risking no more than 1-2% of capital per trade. Wynn’s public downfall serves as a warning to retail traders drawn to leverage trading platforms that promise quick profits.