From Crypto Trading to Wallet Wipeout: The HongKongDoll Story That Shocked the Web3 Community

In early 2022, the cryptocurrency community witnessed an unexpected revelation: a well-known online content creator named HongKongDoll had been secretly operating as a sophisticated digital asset trader. What started as a casual NFT purchase would eventually turn her into a celebrated figure within Web3 circles—only to see her portfolios seemingly collapse months later. The saga of HongKongDoll’s involvement in crypto markets presents a fascinating case study of the risks and rewards that defined the 2022 bear market.

The Hidden Trader: How HongKongDoll Entered the NFT Spotlight in 2022

The crypto community first caught wind of HongKongDoll’s market presence in January 2022, during the height of the NFT boom. A single X post about acquiring a substantial stake in Azuki, one of the most prestigious blue-chip NFT projects at the time, immediately went viral across the platform. The cryptic tweet “Where are my family?” sparked speculation and excitement throughout the space, as investors began to wonder who this mysterious new player really was.

Azuki’s meteoric rise during early 2022 would make HongKongDoll’s initial position look prescient. The collection, which launched at a floor price of roughly 3 ETH, had surged to nearly 30 ETH by April—a staggering 10x return in just a few months. HongKongDoll took to social media once again, revealing that her Azuki holdings had recovered previous losses. However, keen-eyed followers noticed something striking: her acquisition cost had been approximately $400,000, suggesting a serious commitment to the NFT market.

The Legendary Short Position: When HongKongDoll Bet Against Ethereum

Yet HongKongDoll’s presence in Web3 extended far beyond NFT collecting. Throughout 2022, she maintained an active presence on X, commenting on major market movements and emerging trends. The moment that truly cemented her status as a veteran trader came shortly after the catastrophic LUNA collapse in May 2022.

On May 9, 2022, HongKongDoll posted about taking a 50x leveraged short position on Ethereum at $2,836. Just over a month later, on June 17, the price of ETH had plummeted toward the $1,000 mark—an 65% decline. Market participants immediately began speculating about her profits, with some claiming she had banked over $100 million from the trade alone. Others suggested she had achieved “financial freedom” and might retire from content creation permanently.

The rumors proliferated across Discord servers, Telegram groups, and Twitter threads. HongKongDoll herself quickly moved to temper expectations, explaining that the position was primarily a hedge against her existing ETH holdings, not a pure speculative bet. She urged the community to avoid sensationalizing the story and announced she was taking a vacation to rest and regroup. The moment felt bittersweet—HongKongDoll had demonstrated sophisticated trading skills, yet the crypto community seemed to realize she was moving beyond their reach into the realm of professional traders.

The Downturn: HongKongDoll’s Wallet Faces Catastrophic Loss

Following her initial visibility during the 2022 market turmoil, HongKongDoll remained engaged with emerging trends in crypto, sharing insights on everything from the BRC-20 token standard to the rise of Friend.Tech’s social finance experiment. For a time, it seemed she had successfully navigated the bear market while maintaining dual careers as both content creator and trader.

This narrative took a dramatic turn on November 3, 2023, when HongKongDoll made a shocking announcement via X: her cryptocurrency wallet had essentially been emptied. The post provided no specific explanation for the catastrophic loss. Speculation ran rampant across social media. Had her leveraged positions been liquidated in an unexpected market flash crash? Had a romantic breakup influenced her trading decisions? Had her wallet fallen victim to hacking?

The Web3 community rallied around her with messages of support and sympathy. In a Friend.Tech group chat, HongKongDoll herself acknowledged the situation: “The real situation is a bit complicated…” Without providing further clarity, she left observers wondering about the true circumstances behind the wallet wipeout.

Looking Forward: Is a HongKongDoll Comeback in the Works?

Despite the apparent financial setback, HongKongDoll showed no signs of despair. She pointed out that her income streams from alternative platforms—specifically citing OnlyFans as a “perpetual motion machine” that continued generating revenue regardless of her crypto trading fortunes. This revelation suggested that her financial foundation was more diversified than her crypto holdings alone might indicate.

Most intriguingly, HongKongDoll initiated a community vote regarding a potential restart of her content platform. The proposal hinted that the creator who once commanded 191 million monthly visitors across Asian markets might be preparing for a comeback. Whether this comeback includes a return to active cryptocurrency trading remains an open question that the community continues to debate.

The story of HongKongDoll encapsulates the dual nature of Web3 in 2022-2023: the simultaneous potential for massive gains and devastating losses, the blurred lines between different industries and identities, and the way cryptocurrency remains intertwined with broader internet culture. Her journey from NFT collector to legendary short trader to wallet casualty—and now potential comeback artist—serves as a compelling reminder that in crypto, narratives can shift as quickly as prices.