Bybit CEO on ‘brutal’ $4M Hyperliquid loss: Lower leverage as positions grow

Key Points

  • Bybit CEO Ben Zhou commented on a $4 million loss by Hyperliquid due to a high-leverage trade, suggesting a dynamic risk mechanism to lower leverage as positions grow.
  • Hyperliquid reduced leverage for Bitcoin to 40x and Ether to 25x to increase maintenance margin requirements for larger positions.
  • Zhou noted that centralized exchanges (CEXs) face similar challenges with whale positions, suggesting that lower leverage might hurt business but is necessary for risk management.

Summary

On March 12, 2025, a trader on the decentralized exchange (DEX) Hyperliquid used 50x leverage to turn a $10 million investment into a $270 million Ether long position, resulting in a $4 million loss for the Hyperliquidity Pool (HLP) when the trader withdrew collateral without triggering a price drop. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou commented on this event, highlighting the challenges faced by both DEXs and centralized exchanges (CEXs) with high-leverage trades. In response, Hyperliquid adjusted its leverage limits, reducing Bitcoin leverage to 40x and Ether to 25x to mitigate risks associated with large positions. Zhou suggested implementing a dynamic risk mechanism that lowers leverage as positions grow, acknowledging that while this might deter some users, it's crucial for managing risk. He also pointed out that even with these measures, there's potential for abuse unless robust surveillance and monitoring systems are in place. Following the incident, Hyperliquid experienced a significant net outflow of $166 million.

cointelegraph
March 14, 2025
Crypto
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