High-profile crypto trader James Wynn has taken the spotlight once again, opening a massive $1.25 billion long position on Bitcoin via decentralized exchange Hyperliquid. The move, executed with 40x leverage, reflects Wynn’s signature high-risk style and follows a profitable $25.2 million exit from memecoin $PEPE—profits he’s now channeling into Bitcoin with laser-focused conviction.
As of May 24, Wynn holds an 11,588 BTC position at an average entry of $108,243, placing his liquidation level precariously close at just above $105,000. The leveraged trade comes on the heels of a $5.3 million loss from recently closed ETH and SUI positions, funds he quickly recycled into bolstering his BTC exposure.
Wynn began building his current position on May 21 with an $830 million long that generated $400 million in unrealized gains the same day. He subsequently scaled up to $1.1 billion as Bitcoin broke through $110,000, briefly securing a $39 million paper profit. After a partial profit-taking move—cashing out 540 BTC for $60 million with a modest $1.5 million gain—he doubled down once more, pushing his bet into 10-figure territory.
Tariff Shock Disrupts the Momentum
Momentum was interrupted abruptly by a geopolitical curveball. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of a sweeping 50% tariff on EU imports triggered broad market anxiety, sending Bitcoin below $107,000 and throwing Wynn’s trade into the red.
According to data from Lookonchain, the sudden move erased $29 million in unrealized profits from Wynn’s position. Nonetheless, Wynn remains significantly ahead overall, with a reported $57 million in lifetime gains and $46 million earned in just the past month—cementing his role as one of the most closely watched whales in decentralized finance.
Memecoins, Max Leverage, and a $4.65M Entry
Wynn’s strategy is not for the faint of heart. He proudly identifies as a “high-risk leverage trader” and “memecoin maxi,” titles he’s earned by making bold plays across volatile markets. His early conviction in $PEPE, which he backed when its market cap was still below $600,000, catapulted him into the crypto elite.
He made his debut on Hyperliquid just two months ago with a $4.65 million USDC deposit. Since then, he’s become one of the platform’s most visible whales, scaling positions from the low hundreds of millions to over $1 billion. His trading style, built on massive exposure and precise entries, has earned him a growing following among crypto watchers and analysts alike.
Hyperliquid: The DEX Powering Billion-Dollar Bets
The platform behind Wynn’s trades, Hyperliquid, operates on a custom Layer 1 blockchain and has quickly become a preferred venue for advanced decentralized derivatives trading. With features like spot and leveraged trading, real-time execution, and deep liquidity, it offers tools once exclusive to centralized giants.
Its robust infrastructure allows whales like Wynn to deploy billion-dollar positions without imploding the order book. For traders seeking high throughput, anonymity, and low latency, Hyperliquid is becoming a magnet—especially as regulatory scrutiny of centralized exchanges continues to intensify.
Quick Facts
- James Wynn opened a $1.25 billion Bitcoin long using 40x leverage on Hyperliquid.
- His position totals 11,588 BTC with an average entry of $108,243 and a liquidation point above $105,000.
- Wynn’s trade follows a $25.2 million gain on $PEPE and recent losses on ETH and SUI.
- He joined Hyperliquid two months ago with $4.65 million and has since become a top whale.
- Hyperliquid’s Layer 1 DEX infrastructure supports high-speed, high-stakes trading.
