Key Takeaways
Why are traders watching the ‘Trump whale’?
Its previous $1 billion short on BTC and ETH precisely preceded the last crash, earning about $200 million.
What could decide BTC’s next move?
Holding above $114K keeps bulls in the game, but a close below $108K may confirm the whale’s bearish outlook and open room for a drop toward $100K.
A trader dubbed the “Trump insider whale” has reignited market anxiety after reopening $300 million in Bitcoin short positions on Hyperliquid. The move comes only days after profiting an estimated $200 million from the market crash.
According to data from Arkham Intelligence, the whale deposited $40 million USDC to the exchange before initiating an additional $127 million short. The move adds to its earlier high-leverage bets against BTC and ETH.
Source: Arkham Intelligence
Also, the renewed position coincides with growing short activity and a fragile Bitcoin structure hovering near a key pivot zone.
Bitcoin traders turn cautious as shorts edge ahead
Coinglass data shows that as of 13 October 2025, shorts slightly outweighed longs — 50.42% versus 49.58% — pushing the BTC long/short ratio down to 0.9833.
The shift marks the first clear bearish tilt in several sessions. This hints that retail and professional traders may be mirroring the whale’s conviction or hedging against further downside.
Source: Coinglass
BTC consolidates near key pivot zone
On the daily chart, Bitcoin traded around $114,772, nearly flat on the day but below the intraday high of $116,000.
The pivot level (P) rests around $114,700, suggesting a technical stalemate between bulls and bears.
Source: TradingView
Immediate supports sit near $108,321 and $102,257, while resistance levels appear at $118,906 and $123,856. The latter level aligns with last week’s failed recovery attempt.
A break below $108,000 could trigger a deeper correction toward $100,000, while reclaiming $120,000 would signal renewed strength.
Market sentiment still fragile
The timing of the whale’s move has fueled speculation that another major leg down could be forming. This is particularly after last week’s political turmoil surrounding Trump’s renewed tariff rhetoric toward China.
Funding rates remain volatile, and liquidation data indicate that leveraged traders continue to exit both long and short positions at high volume.
Next: Bitcoin shorts, whales, and the next move – Is a V-shaped rebound in play?
