The crypto world is buzzing over a trade that seemed to know the future. Just hours before U.S. President Donald Trump’s 100% tariff announcement on Chinese imports, an anonymous trader placed a massive Bitcoin short—and made tens of millions when markets plunged.
Now, the internet is asking one question: who was behind it?
Blockchain tracking firms noticed an unusually large position on the Hyperliquid exchange opened between October 9 and 11, perfectly positioned to profit from the market meltdown that followed Trump’s remarks. When the selloff hit, the position netted an estimated $78–88 million, making it one of the most profitable crypto shorts in recent months.
That timing has drawn suspicion from traders and analysts alike, with some calling it too precise to be coincidence.
Online Rumors Point to Familiar Name
Social media chatter quickly transformed the mystery into a political storm. Unverified posts began circulating, suggesting the trade might somehow be connected to Barron Trump, the president’s youngest son.
Fueling that theory were earlier reports from Forbes and others claiming Barron earned around $80 million through the family’s World Liberty Financial crypto venture—a number eerily close to the profits from the Hyperliquid short.
No concrete evidence links Barron to the trade, and neither the Trump family nor Hyperliquid has commented publicly. Still, the coincidence has been enough to keep speculation alive across crypto forums, where users are demanding more transparency from exchanges handling politically sensitive trades.
Alternative Theory Gains Ground
Not everyone buys into the Trump connection. Some blockchain sleuths believe the trader may be linked to Garrett Jin, a Chinese investor known for high-risk DeFi strategies and prior run-ins with regulators. Jin acknowledged that the wallet involved belongs to one of his clients, but insists there was no insider information involved.
“It was a hedge, not a bet on Trump,” Jin reportedly said, dismissing claims of coordinated trading.
A Sign of a Bigger Problem
Analysts warn the situation illustrates how political headlines and algorithmic trading have become dangerously intertwined. With major figures like Trump capable of moving markets in seconds, traders using early signals—or inside contacts—can potentially reap enormous gains before news hits the public.
Bitcoin has since recovered part of its losses, but the debate lingers. Was the timing just luck, or did someone have a head start on one of the most market-moving policy shocks of the year?
For now, the trader’s identity remains a mystery—but their profit is very real.
