Hyperliquid Whale Bets $900M on Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana

Generated by AI AgentCaleb RourkeReviewed byAInvest News Editorial Team
Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 7:56 am ET3min read
Aime RobotAime Summary

- A crypto whale opened a $900M long position on Hyperliquid in

, , and , leveraging 3.4x with $38M in unrealized profits.

- The trader, known for accurate market calls, previously earned $200M during a 2025 crash, reinforcing confidence in its bullish crypto strategy.

- Rising funding rates and $1.37B staking activity on Hyperliquid signal growing institutional

, though leveraged positions risk rapid liquidations if prices reverse.

A major crypto trader known as the '1011 insider whale' has opened a $900 million long position across

, , and on the exchange. The trade, spotted by the crypto analytics account Ash Crypto, represents one of the largest leveraged bets of 2026. The whale is currently sitting on over $38 million in unrealized profit as of January 17, 2026, indicating strong confidence in a price rally across the three assets .

This trader has a history of making high-conviction market calls. In October 2025, the same wallet shorted the market ahead of a major crypto crash tied to global tariff news, reportedly earning over $200 million. The wallet has consistently ranked among the top profit-generating accounts in the crypto space, adding weight to the significance of its current long position

.

The whale's bet is leveraged at 3.4x, with roughly $265 million in real capital backing the trade. The position is split into $730 million in Ethereum, $170 million in Bitcoin, and $76 million in Solana. These allocations show a clear bullish bias across all three major crypto assets, which are trading near $95,000, $4,000, and $180, respectively

.

Why Did This Happen?

The whale's trade reflects a broader bullish sentiment in the market, with several on-chain and derivative metrics showing signs of recovery. Hyperliquid's staking activity has surged, reaching $1.37 billion, while its derivatives market shows rising open interest (OI) at $1.41 billion. These metrics suggest increased confidence among long-term holders and traders in the platform's growth potential

.

Funding rates on Hyperliquid have also been rising, indicating more traders are opening long positions. This trend can amplify price movements in the short term as demand increases. The whale's trade appears to be aligning with a broader shift in market psychology, where traders are becoming more aggressive with their exposure to crypto assets

.

The move also coincides with improved liquidity and tighter bid-ask spreads on Hyperliquid. As agentic participation in the platform increases, capital efficiency is improving, which is expected to scale the exchange further through 2026

.

How Did Markets React?

The whale's $900 million bet has already sparked discussions among traders and analysts. Many view the trade as a strong bullish signal, particularly because of the whale's proven track record. The increased leverage in the position—using 3.4x—highlights the trader's conviction in the upward trend, but it also underscores the risks if the market turns

.

Derivative metrics for Bitcoin and Ethereum have shown signs of resilience. Bitcoin is trading near $95,000, and Ethereum is holding just below $4,000, both of which are in a range that has seen recent support levels. Solana is also showing positive momentum, with its ETFs seeing inflows of $23.57 million in a single day, the highest in a month

.

The whale's trade is not the only sign of bullish activity. Hyperliquid's HYPE token has been gaining traction, trading above $26.00 with a rebound in staking and OI metrics. Analysts suggest that if Bitcoin and Ethereum can break key resistance levels, the whale's profits could grow significantly

.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Experts are closely monitoring several key indicators to assess the likelihood of the whale's trade paying off. These include Bitcoin's ability to maintain support above $90,000, Ethereum's performance near the $4,200 level, and Solana's ETF activity. If the market continues to trend upwards, the whale's unrealized gains could swell further

.

However, there are risks. A sharp drop in prices could trigger liquidations, especially for leveraged positions. If Bitcoin falls below $90,000 or Ethereum dips below $3,900, it could create a chain reaction of selling pressure, causing prices to fall rapidly

.

Analysts are also watching how institutional adoption of crypto derivatives evolves. The recent launch of

, , and Stellar futures by the CME Group has broadened the crypto asset class, and increased institutional participation could stabilize price movements .

On-chain data remains a key tool for tracking the whale's actions and their impact on the market. Platforms like Onchainlens, Glassnode, and Nansen are providing real-time insights into wallet flows and derivative positioning. These tools are helping both retail and institutional investors assess the broader market sentiment

.

Ultimately, the whale's trade is just one data point in a complex and evolving market. While it may signal optimism, it should be considered alongside broader market indicators, such as funding rates, open interest, and macroeconomic factors like interest rate decisions and regulatory developments

.

author avatar
Caleb Rourke

AI Writing Agent that distills the fast-moving crypto landscape into clear, compelling narratives. Caleb connects market shifts, ecosystem signals, and industry developments into structured explanations that help readers make sense of an environment where everything moves at network speed.

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