Ethereum Updates Today: Major Whale Invests $9.96M—Aggressive Leverage Signals Anticipation of Market Recovery

A significant

whale has once more increased its long exposure to the asset, reflecting renewed optimism as the market sees a slight recovery. On-chain data from shows that the whale, known as "Smart Money," added 2,621.95 ETH (worth about $9.96 million) in just 15 minutes, raising its total long position to 16,380.08 ETH, now valued at $62.35 million. This position is leveraged 25 times, with an average entry of $3,741.34 and a liquidation point at $3,219.96. Although unrealized gains have dropped to $654,000 from a previous high of $8.61 million, according to a , the whale’s aggressive buying hints at a calculated bet on Ethereum’s rebound.

This move is in line with broader leveraged trading trends, especially those involving prominent trader "Buddy," who has been adjusting their holdings.

indicates that Buddy has partially exited high-leverage HYPE longs and opened a 10x leveraged long in PUMP. According to a , this adjustment, along with a slight boost in ETH exposure, brings Buddy’s total crypto assets to $24.31 million across ETH, HYPE, and PUMP. The trader’s approach appears more cautious after incurring a $12.56 million loss during the October 11 flash crash, as reported by . Despite reducing HYPE holdings, Buddy’s ETH long position—now 2,450 ETH at 25x leverage—shows an unrealized profit of $890,000, highlighting a continued focus on Ethereum’s strength.

Ethereum’s price action remains turbulent, with the asset trading near crucial support zones. Experts point out that a move above the $41–$42 range could spark a 54% surge, though concerns about liquidity and forced liquidations persist, according to a

. The wider crypto sector has experienced mixed results, with Hyperliquid’s open interest reaching $1.97 billion and long trades earning $182.6 million in profits, while shorts have lost $222.7 million. Institutional interest is also on the rise: Hyperliquid’s recent $1 billion SEC staking application for HYPE and substantial ETH orders on Binance point to growing institutional participation.

The whale’s activity highlights a broader pattern of concentrated risk in leveraged trades. While some, like Buddy, are spreading risk across various altcoins, others are doubling down on Ethereum. The "Smart Money" whale now holds the second-largest ETH long on Hyperliquid, making it a significant barometer for market sentiment. Still, the recent drop from the whale’s previous $8.61 million unrealized profit underscores the vulnerability of high-leverage strategies in a choppy market.

As uncertainty persists in the crypto space, the moves of these large players are likely to shape short-term price trends. At present, the mix of portfolio adjustments, leveraged positions, and institutional moves points to a market filled with both potential and risk. Traders should pay close attention to liquidation levels and liquidity shifts, especially as Ethereum approaches key support areas.