Crypto sleuth ZachXBT has identified the so-called “50X Hyperliquid Whale” as British cybercriminal William Parker , formerly known as Alistair Packover. Parker has a history of online fraud, hacking, and casino theft, and reportedly earned around $20 million by using extreme leverage on decentralized crypto platforms. This mysterious trader gained attention for executing massive leveraged positions—up to 50×—on decentralized exchanges such as Hyperliquid and GMX. According to ZachXBT’s latest report, Parker was traced through a blockchain transaction that led to a phone number tied to a UK resident named William Parker. Parker’s criminal record includes allegations of stealing nearly $1 million from two casinos in 2023 , for which he was arrested. Despite serving time, Parker allegedly continued illicit activities by launching phishing scams to collect funds. These funds were later funneled into high-risk trading strategies that allowed him to profit handsomely during volatile market conditions. At the heart of Parker’s success was his use of high leverage—particularly 50× trades. Leverage in trading means borrowing capital to amplify the potential return on investment. In Parker’s case, even a small price movement in his favor could produce significant profits. For instance, a 2% price swing with 50× leverage could double his original investment. In one striking example, Parker opened a $450 million short position on Bitcoin using 40× leverage and exited with a profit of nearly $9.5 million in just over a week, according to crypto legal expert Langerius. These trades occurred during a period of market turbulence fueled by headlines like the White House Crypto Summit and developments in U.S. Bitcoin reserves . The large size of his trades didn’t just benefit him—they reportedly pushed other market participants into forced liquidations. When highly leveraged positions turn against traders, their assets are sold off at a loss to cover borrowed funds. This cycle can create downward pressure on prices and impact overall market stability. Despite the extreme risks involved with 50× leverage, Parker seemed to manage his trades with precision. By timing market volatility, he made aggressive bets during rapid price swings, helping him to secure substantial profits. The case of William Parker raises larger concerns in the crypto industry around identity, accountability, and risk. While decentralized platforms like Hyperliquid offer transparency in showing public trades, they also allow individuals to remain anonymous, even when trading huge volumes. Hyperliquid themselves noted on social media that large trades cannot be faked in their system, unlike screenshots from centralized exchanges. Still, the fact that someone with a known criminal history was able to move such large amounts of money through decentralized systems has sparked fresh debate. Some fear this could invite regulatory crackdowns or erode trust in the crypto space. Others argue that blockchain’s transparency ultimately allowed Parker to be identified, reinforcing the value of open systems. What remains clear is that William Parker, through a combination of market savvy and questionable funds, has become one of the most talked-about figures in crypto trading. His story is a stark reminder of both the potential and the pitfalls of decentralized finance—where fortunes can be made fast, but often with a dark side. ZachXBT’s investigation , Hyperliquid’s transparency , and Parker’s high-leverage strategy have now become focal points in ongoing discussions about crypto regulation, ethics, and the limits of decentralization.
