Anti-CZ Whale Strikes Again: $21 Million Profit from Bold Aster Short
Anti-CZ Whale Bags $21 Million from Aster Shorts as Market Slides
In one of the most dramatic trading stories of the year, a mysterious cryptocurrency trader — known in the digital asset world as the “Anti-CZ Whale” — has reportedly earned more than $21 million in unrealized profits from shorting Aster (ASTER) tokens. The trader’s bold and contrarian strategy, which went directly against public sentiment and even against hints made by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), has once again caught the attention of the global crypto community.
According to on-chain data analysis provided by Lookonchain, the enigmatic whale has executed a series of short positions across multiple wallets, building a total exposure of approximately $48 million on decentralized perpetual exchanges. The recent fall in ASTER’s price has propelled these positions deep into profit, adding to the trader’s already impressive record of successful bearish plays.
A $21 Million Profit from Aster Shorts
Data reviewed from Hyperliquid, a decentralized perpetual exchange, shows that the Anti-CZ Whale’s two main wallets — 0x9eec98D…daAb and 0xbadbb1de…9ee6 — held short positions on ASTER valued at more than $48 million. These positions were placed with around 3x leverage, amplifying their returns as the token’s price plummeted from $1.20 to approximately $0.83.
This steep decline translated into an unrealized profit of over $21 million, marking one of the most successful individual short trades seen in the DeFi derivatives space this quarter.
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| SC: Lookonchain data revealed |
Interestingly, the Anti-CZ Whale’s timing appeared almost prophetic. Just days after CZ hinted on social media about potential bullish activity around ASTER, the whale took a distinctly opposite stance — opening large short positions that suggested total confidence in an impending downturn. The move has led analysts to speculate whether the trader relies on advanced algorithmic models, insider market patterns, or pure contrarian instinct.
A Broader Strategy: Betting Against Market Hype
While the ASTER short positions have attracted the most attention, the Anti-CZ Whale’s trading portfolio extends far beyond a single asset. According to on-chain tracking by Hyperdash Analytics, the trader has taken short positions in several major cryptocurrencies, including DOGE, ETH, XRP, and PEPE.
These additional positions total nearly $73 million in exposure and have generated more than $31 million in combined unrealized gains, bringing the whale’s total unclaimed profit across multiple tokens to above $90 million.
The breakdown of positions reveals an aggressive yet calculated approach:
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DOGE: $25.4 million short, 5x leverage
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ETH: $21.1 million short, 20x leverage
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XRP: $15.1 million short, 10x leverage
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PEPE: $11.9 million short, 5x leverage
These figures imply that the trader’s average return on equity (ROE) exceeds 140%, a remarkable feat in a market known for its volatility and unpredictable swings.
Analysts point out that such performance likely stems from disciplined margin management, high-frequency liquidation control, and data-driven positioning — a stark contrast to the emotionally driven trading that dominates retail crypto activity.
Who Is the Anti-CZ Whale?
The identity of the trader remains one of the biggest mysteries in the DeFi ecosystem. Known for taking positions that directly oppose market movements associated with CZ, the Anti-CZ Whale has built a reputation for betting against popular sentiment — and winning.
In several past instances, the trader’s moves have coincided with market corrections that followed shortly after major bullish signals or announcements from Binance-related circles. This has led to speculation that the whale’s moniker, “Anti-CZ,” might not be merely symbolic but a deliberate strategy — one built around shorting hype cycles created by influential figures in the crypto world.
“Every time the market gets too optimistic about a coin CZ supports, this wallet shows up,” said one anonymous analyst on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s like a counterweight to overconfidence — and it’s been right almost every time.”
The Anti-CZ Whale has also earned a cult-like following on DeFi forums, where traders dissect wallet movements, margin ratios, and funding rates associated with their positions. Some even regard the trader as a kind of “DeFi oracle,” predicting downturns before they happen.
Aster’s Price Collapses Amid Market Selloff
At the time of writing, Aster (ASTER) is trading at $0.8818, representing a decline of nearly 16% over the past 24 hours. The broader trend is even more concerning — down 18% in a week and a staggering 70% over the past month.
The token, which had recently surged amid optimistic community sentiment and exchange activity, appears to have lost momentum as traders rushed to unwind long positions. Analysts attribute the selloff to increased market leverage, overextended bullish bets, and growing uncertainty around regulatory conditions affecting mid-cap altcoins.
For the Anti-CZ Whale, however, this environment has proven ideal. By maintaining large, well-timed short positions during moments of market euphoria, the trader has effectively turned market sentiment on its head — profiting precisely when others lose.
Market Reaction and Speculation
The story of the Anti-CZ Whale has ignited fierce debate across crypto circles. Some see the trader as a symbol of strategic discipline and market intelligence — a reminder that success in crypto doesn’t come from hype, but from reading the crowd and acting rationally.
Others, however, worry that the growing influence of such traders could contribute to price instability and increased volatility, particularly for tokens that lack deep liquidity. “When large whales place leveraged shorts, they don’t just bet against the market — they shape it,” said one analyst from Kronos Research.
Despite these concerns, many traders admire the whale’s boldness and consistency. As DeFi trading becomes increasingly transparent through on-chain analytics, it has become easier for retail investors to track these “smart money” movements in real time — often attempting to mimic their strategies.
Lessons from the Anti-CZ Phenomenon
The rise of the Anti-CZ Whale underscores a broader evolution in crypto trading: the growing dominance of data-driven, contrarian, and algorithmic strategies within decentralized exchanges. Unlike centralized platforms where market data is obscured, DeFi ecosystems make every transaction traceable — allowing skilled traders to analyze and act on open market information instantly.
It also highlights a shift in investor psychology. The age of following influencers or CEOs for trading cues may be giving way to a more analytical approach — one based on metrics, liquidity flows, and real-time derivatives positioning.
As one veteran trader put it: “This whale isn’t fighting CZ. He’s fighting human emotion — and winning.”
Looking Ahead
While it remains unclear how long the Anti-CZ Whale will hold his current positions, most analysts believe that his portfolio strategy reflects short-to-medium-term conviction rather than long-term bearishness. The DeFi derivatives market, where the whale operates, thrives on short-term momentum rather than holding assets indefinitely.
If ASTER’s decline continues and broader altcoin weakness persists, the whale’s profits could increase dramatically. However, if the market rebounds sharply, even a disciplined trader could face liquidation risks — a reminder that in DeFi, fortunes can change within hours.
Regardless of what comes next, the trader’s latest victory reinforces an undeniable truth about the crypto markets: in a world ruled by emotion, those who master logic — and timing — will always come out ahead.
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