Renowned blockchain investigator ZachXBT has revealed that the trader behind the enigmatic 50x whale on Hyperliquid and GMX is allegedly a British hacker named William Parker. According to ZachXBT’s latest findings shared on March 20, Parker reportedly amassed over $20 million in profits from highly leveraged trades across the two platforms.
Digging deeper into Parker’s history, ZachXBT pointed out that Parker—who previously went by the name Alistair Packover—was arrested in 2023 on accusations of stealing nearly $1 million from two casinos. Parker’s notoriety dates back even further, with a decade-old trail of alleged hacking incidents and gambling schemes attached to his name.
ZachXBT’s investigation linked Parker to the whale trader through a phone number reportedly used in transactions tied to the whale’s wallet. Additionally, on-chain data traced funds from known phishing scams flowing into the same wallets associated with Parker’s trading activity.
While these revelations have raised concerns across crypto circles, it is important to note that CoinrockMedia has not independently verified ZachXBT’s claims.
Whale’s 50x Leverage Bets Rocked Hyperliquid’s Markets
The trader at the center of ZachXBT’s investigation gained notoriety after executing a series of aggressive, high-stakes bets on decentralized perpetuals platforms Hyperliquid and GMX, reportedly profiting around $20 million. Known for deploying leverage as high as 50x, the whale’s massive trades regularly drew attention from market watchers and fellow traders alike.
One of the most dramatic incidents occurred on March 12, when the whale intentionally liquidated a long position worth roughly $200 million in Ether (ETH). The forced liquidation inflicted a $4 million loss on Hyperliquid’s liquidity pool, while netting the trader approximately $1.8 million in profit. Hyperliquid later clarified that the event was not the result of an exploit, but rather an outcome dictated by the platform’s design under extreme trading conditions.
In response, Hyperliquid swiftly updated its collateral requirements, aiming to safeguard the platform against similar occurrences in the future. Just two days later, the whale made headlines again by taking another large, leveraged position—this time in Chainlink (LINK)—demonstrating the trader’s continued appetite for high-risk strategies.
The use of perpetual futures, or “perps,” played a key role in these trades. These contracts, which offer leverage without an expiration date, allow traders to amplify their bets by depositing margin collateral—typically in stablecoins like USDC—to maintain open positions.
ZachXBT: Crypto’s Leading On-Chain Detective
ZachXBT has earned a reputation as one of the crypto industry’s most respected and relentless on-chain investigators. Known widely for his meticulous approach and ability to unravel complex blockchain trails, he has played a crucial role in exposing fraudulent actors, tracking stolen funds, and bringing transparency to opaque corners of the crypto space.
One of his most notable accomplishments came during the Bybit hack, where he swiftly traced stolen funds and provided actionable intelligence to law enforcement and affected platforms. His detailed analysis and public disclosures have cemented his standing as a key figure in holding bad actors accountable within decentralized ecosystems.
In the case of the Hyperliquid whale, ZachXBT once again demonstrated his signature forensic skills. As outlined in his recent thread, he utilized a blend of on-chain data analysis, wallet tracking, and off-chain information gathering to piece together the whale’s identity. Notably, he connected the trader’s public wallet activity to prior phishing scams, linked addresses through cross-chain movement patterns, and obtained additional evidence via phone number metadata provided by a counterparty who received funds from the whale’s wallet.
This methodical cross-referencing of blockchain transactions with real-world identifiers reflects ZachXBT’s highly sophisticated detective techniques—techniques that continue to set the benchmark for on-chain investigations.
Quick Facts:
- Blockchain investigator ZachXBT identified the Hyperliquid and GMX 50x whale as British hacker William Parker.
- Parker reportedly profited over $20 million from highly leveraged trades across both platforms.
- ZachXBT linked Parker’s wallet to past phishing schemes and tied his identity to prior arrests and fraud allegations.
