Short copy strategy with 15x leverage: How a whale made $12.55M in ETH profits

The world of leveraged trading has once again demonstrated its potential for astronomical profits. An elite trader executed a massive short position on Ethereum, harvesting floating gains of $12.55 million in a move that illustrates both the boldness and the extreme risk of the crypto market.

Trade Details: Numbers That Speak

The trader positioned a holding of 35,221 ETH with 15x leverage, which amounts to a total exposure of approximately $105 million. The entry point was set at an average price of $3,332.52 per token, while the liquidation level was fixed at $3,855.54 — a safety margin that allowed some breathing room in the opposite movement.

As an additional bonus, this trader accumulated income from financing fees totaling $3.14 million, demonstrating how long-term positions in sideways or favorable markets can generate significant passive income.

The Dark Side: Volatility and Systemic Risk

This amplified type of operation reveals the two-sided nature of cryptocurrency trading. While profits can be spectacular, liquidation is only $522 away from the average entry price. A sudden volatility move in ETH could have wiped out the entire position in minutes.

Copying such a short position of this magnitude requires not only colossal initial capital but also nerves of steel and a sophisticated risk management strategy. Retail traders attempting to replicate this approach without the experience and capital of a “whale” typically end up liquidated before the trading thesis matures.

The Current ETH Market Outlook

With Ethereum fluctuating within its usual dynamic range, opportunities for leveraged positions like this will continue to emerge. However, the volatility that generates these massive gains is the same that can turn profit dreams into total loss nightmares in moments.