Bitcoin Whale Opens $54.2M Long With 40x Leverage

A large Bitcoin whale has opened a $54.2 million long position using 40x leverage on the Hyperliquid exchange. The position entered near $68,200, while Bitcoin trades around the high $67,000 range. The trade already shows an unrealized loss of roughly $400,000 as the price slipped slightly after entry. The liquidation level sits near $63,580. Which is only a small drop from current prices. The move has drawn attention across crypto circles. Because it shows strong bullish conviction during a quiet and uncertain market phase.

Massive Bet With Very Tight Liquidation

The position uses 40x leverage, which greatly increases both gains and losses. At that level, even a small price move can trigger liquidation. The total size stands at $54.2 million, but the actual margin behind it is much smaller. The Bitcoin whale entered the trade close to $68,200. Soon after, Bitcoin dipped below that level. 

A whale has opened a $54.2 million $BTC long with 40x leverage.

Liquidation Price: $63,580 pic.twitter.com/DDcWM1nK9T

— Ash Crypto (@AshCrypto) February 18, 2026

As a result, the position showed a six-figure unrealized loss almost immediately. The liquidation price around $63,580 sits only about 6% below the entry. That range is very tight for Bitcoin, which often moves more than that in a single day. Traders say such positions carry extreme risk. A sharp drop could wipe out the entire trade in minutes.

Trade Comes During Bitcoin Consolidation

The timing of the position has also caught attention. Bitcoin still trades far below its recent highs above $120,000 from late 2025. The asset now moves mostly between the mid $60,000 and low $70,000 levels.

Some analysts say large holders have been accumulating during this dip. Reports suggest whales added more than 200,000 BTC recently. That trend supports the idea that big players still expect higher prices later. However, the market remains uncertain. Exchange inflows have risen and leverage across the market has fallen. These signals usually point to caution among traders.

Community Reaction Mixed on the Risk

The crypto community reacted quickly to the news. Some traders praised the Bitcoin whale’s conviction and called it a strong bullish signal. They believe the trader expects a sharp rebound soon. Others warned about the risks. High-leverage longs often fail during sideways or weak markets. A small drop can trigger a chain of liquidations. That can push prices even lower in a short time.

Still, large leveraged trades always draw attention. They show where big money places its bets. For now, the position remains open and traders continue watching the liquidation level closely. If BTC moves higher, the Bitcoin whale could see large gains. If it drops, the position may vanish just as fast.