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Revealed: The $500M Gamble of a Bitcoin OG’s Massive Leveraged Positions
In a move that has sent ripples through the crypto community, a veteran Bitcoin holder known as ‘1011short’ has deployed a staggering sum in leveraged positions. According to data from Lookonchain, this investor’s bets on Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana now exceed half a billion dollars. This audacious strategy offers a rare glimpse into the high-stakes world of institutional-grade crypto trading. What does this massive commitment tell us about market sentiment, and what are the immense risks involved?
The entity, identified by the wallet address ‘1011short,’ is considered a Bitcoin Original Gangster (OG). This term typically refers to early adopters who have held Bitcoin since its infancy. Their recent activity, however, shows a strategic expansion beyond Bitcoin. By utilizing leverage—essentially borrowed funds to amplify potential gains—they have placed enormous confidence in the near-term future of three major cryptocurrencies. This shift from a simple ‘HODL’ strategy to active, leveraged trading marks a significant evolution in their approach.
Let’s examine the precise breakdown of this portfolio. The data reveals three core bets, each with different levels of conviction and risk.
The use of 5x and 20x leverage means that while potential profits are magnified, so too is the risk of liquidation if prices move against these positions even slightly.
This strategy is not for the faint of heart. For a seasoned investor, it signals a powerful, calculated conviction. First, it demonstrates a bullish outlook not just on Bitcoin, but on the broader altcoin market, particularly Ethereum and Solana. Second, the varying degrees of leverage are telling. The smaller but highly leveraged Solana position suggests a higher-risk, higher-reward play on its volatility, while the massive but moderately leveraged Ethereum bet indicates strong confidence in its foundational role. Ultimately, these leveraged positions are a tool to maximize capital efficiency for someone with deep pockets and a high-risk tolerance.
While the potential upside is enormous, the dangers are equally colossal. Leverage is a double-edged sword. A sudden market downturn could trigger margin calls, forcing the investor to add more collateral or face automatic liquidation. At 20x leverage, a mere 5% price drop in Solana could wipe out the entire position. Furthermore, such a large concentrated bet can itself influence market sentiment, potentially making it a target for opposing traders. This case is a masterclass in the high-wire act of crypto derivatives trading.
The actions of ‘1011short’ provide several actionable insights for observers. It highlights the growing sophistication and scale of crypto markets, where nine-figure leveraged positions are now a reality. It also underscores the importance of on-chain analytics tools like Lookonchain for tracking whale activity. However, the most crucial lesson is one of risk management: what works for a crypto OG with vast reserves is a recipe for disaster for the average retail investor. These leveraged positions should be viewed as a fascinating case study, not an invitation to replicate.
In conclusion, the revelation of over $500 million in leveraged positions by a Bitcoin OG is a stark reminder of the immense scale and risk present in modern cryptocurrency markets. It reflects a strategic, albeit perilous, bet on continued bullish momentum for major digital assets. For the wider community, it serves as both an indicator of institutional-grade confidence and a powerful warning about the extreme volatility amplified by leverage. The crypto landscape continues to evolve, with veteran players deploying increasingly complex financial instruments in their pursuit of growth.
Q1: What does ‘5x long position’ mean?
A: A 5x long position means the investor has used borrowed funds to control a position five times larger than their own capital. They profit if the asset’s price rises but face amplified losses if it falls.
Q2: Who is ‘1011short’?
A: ‘1011short’ is the pseudonymous wallet address of a long-term Bitcoin holder, often called an OG. Their true identity is unknown, but their large transactions are tracked by on-chain analysts.
Q3: Why is the Solana position at 20x leverage?
A> The 20x leverage on Solana indicates a much higher risk-reward appetite for this asset. The investor likely believes Solana has strong short-term growth potential but is using more capital to control a larger position with less of their own money.
Q4: What is the biggest risk for this investor?
A: The paramount risk is liquidation. If the price of ETH, BTC, or SOL falls below a certain threshold relative to their entry prices, their positions could be automatically sold off to repay the borrowed funds, resulting in massive losses.
Q5: Should I use high leverage like this?
A> Absolutely not. This level of leverage is extremely risky and typically suitable only for experienced, institutional investors with sophisticated risk management strategies. Retail investors should exercise extreme caution.
Q6: How did we find out about these positions?
A: Blockchain analytics firms like Lookonchain monitor public blockchain data. Large transactions and interactions with lending/borrowing protocols (for leverage) are visible on-chain, allowing them to piece together such strategies.
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Highlights: Investors withdrew millions from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs ahead of Powell’s speech. Bitcoin trades near $113,000 support, while Ethereum holds just above $4,200 levels. Analysts see mixed trends, citing liquidity sell-offs and weakening on-chain profitability signals. A few hours before Fed Chair Jerome Powell spoke at 11:30 a.m. ET, investors pulled large amounts from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. This showed caution in the market. Bitcoin is trading near key support levels, and Powell’s speech could decide its next direction. Bitcoin ETFs See Major Outflows On September 22, neither spot Bitcoin ETFs nor Ethereum ETFs had any new inflows, reflecting a risk-off mood among investors. Bitcoin ETFs posted a total net outflow of $363.17 million, led by Fidelity’s FBTC with $276.68 million. Ark & 21Shares followed with $52.30 million, Grayscale’s GBTC withdrew $24.65 million, and VanEck’s HOLD had a small sale of $9.54 million. Overall trading reached $3.43 billion, with total net assets at $148.09 billion, showing strong user activity and growing confidence in the asset. This represents 6.59% of the total Bitcoin market capitalization. Ethereum ETFs Face $76 Million Outflow On the other hand, Ethereum ETFs recorded a total net outflow of $75.95 million on Monday. Fidelity’s FETH led with $33.12 million, followed by Bitwise ETHW and Grayscale ETH at $22.30 million and $5.4 million, respectively. BlackRock’s ETHA withdrew $15.07 million. None of the nine ETFs saw any inflows that day. The total trading value of Ethereum ETFs reached $2.06 billion, showing steady market activity and a strong industry position. Net assets stood at $27.52 billion, representing 5.45% of Ethereum’s total market capitalization. The outflows follow a pattern of ups and downs seen earlier this year. Ethereum ETFs saw a change in investor interest. Fidelity and Bitwise led most of the withdrawals. BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum ETF had some inflows that partially balanced the trend. Since their launch in July last year, spot Ethereum ETFs have gathered more than $13 billion in total net inflows. Meanwhile, Grayscale’s legacy trust experienced outflows exceeding $4.5 billion, as investors shifted to newer, lower-fee options. Outflows often happen when Bitcoin’s price becomes volatile. Investors usually pull funds if the price drops below key support levels. On September 22, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded total net outflows of $363 million, with none of the 12 funds seeing inflows. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw total net outflows of $75.95 million, with all nine funds posting no inflows.https://t.co/Hj2Gs49bWa pic.twitter.com/YqCrJSMnIg — Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) September 23, 2025 Fed’s Recent Rate Cut and Market Impact Today’s speech follows the Fed’s recent rate cut. The quarter-point cut lowered rates to 4.00%-4.25%. Powell said the move was for risk management, not aggressive easing. He added that risks to jobs have increased. The Fed decided to take another step toward a neutral policy. Markets are waiting to see if the Fed will stay cautious or signal more rate cuts. This decision could guide Bitcoin’s next move. BTC is trading around $113,000, with support near $111,000. Ethereum is just above $4,200. The Fear & Greed Index is at 40, showing neutral sentiment. Analysts have different views. Joao Wedson from Alphractal says BTC’s cycle “is losing momentum” as on-chain profits fall. Michaël van de Poppe refers to the drop as a “classic liquidity sell-off” which could trigger a rebound. Altcoins now come into view for some analysts as the next opportunity. The altcoin-season index last reached a record high since last year with rising rotation. Bitcoin is already showing signs of cycle exhaustion — and very few are seeing it. The SOPR Trend Signal is excellent at signaling when blockchain profitability is drying up.Never in Bitcoin’s history have investors accumulated BTC so late and at such high prices.Maybe only… pic.twitter.com/I1GBdEJH03 — Joao Wedson (@joao_wedson) September 22, 2025 eToro Platform Best Crypto Exchange Over 90 top cryptos to trade Regulated by top-tier entities User-friendly trading app 30+ million users 9.9 Visit eToro eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.