As XRP’s price flirts with critical support, one prominent crypto trader has placed a high-stakes bet that the token will continue to slide. Lynk, a widely followed trader on X, revealed earlier today that he opened a $500,000 short position on XRP, wagering that the asset’s price will decline rather than rebound.
His announcement arrived shortly after XRP dropped from $3.16 to $3.01, briefly threatening to fall below the key $3.00 level before staging a modest recovery. At the time of his post, Lynk made it clear—“It’s over for XRP.”
Federal Reserve Decision Fuels Market Decline
XRP’s recent price weakness followed the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady, even as economic conditions improved. That decision caused Bitcoin to fall sharply, dragging the broader altcoin market, including XRP, down with it.
While many investors hoped for a bounce, Lynk expressed strong skepticism about any near-term recovery for XRP. He disclosed his $500K short position, stating his intention to extract up to $3 million in profit from the trade. Based on his analysis, he believes XRP’s recent bull run has ended.
However, Lynk’s short would face liquidation if XRP returns to its swing high of $3.65, making this a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
Community Responds With Doubt and Criticism
Lynk’s bold declaration triggered mixed reactions across X. Critics questioned the authenticity of his trade, pointing out that he didn’t provide a screenshot or proof of position, only a price chart highlighting XRP’s decline.
Several users called the post misleading or exaggerated. Dom Kwok, co-founder of EasyA, voiced strong skepticism, stating that most anonymous traders on X do not actually execute the trades they boast about. Kwok further argued that if Lynk had indeed entered the short at $3.00, he would already be sitting at a loss, with XRP having rebounded to $3.16 at press time.
Other commentators like SJLove challenged the logic behind Lynk’s bearish move. They argued that expecting XRP to avoid a 25% rebound from current levels is short-sighted. SJLove emphasized that a retest of recent highs could quickly liquidate the short, and suggested that going long may have been the wiser decision.
Some advised Lynk to consider taking early profits, warning that holding out for the full $3 million could be unrealistic given current market volatility.
Related article: XRP ETF Dreams on Hold as SEC Refines Crypto Rules
Past Trader Earned $800K from XRP Short
While skepticism surrounds Lynk’s position, another trader has previously proven the potential for profit from shorting XRP. Known as Crashius Clay, this trader predicted in March that XRP would underperform and initiated a $1 million short as a result.
His bearish bet paid off. As XRP dipped throughout April, Clay regularly posted updates and eventually disclosed a profit exceeding $800,000 from the trade. His success story gained attention, reinforcing the viability of well-timed short positions.
Despite his earlier win, Clay has not disclosed any new short positions against XRP in recent weeks. Though he remains publicly bearish, stating that XRP is “going to zero”, his recent silence suggests a wait-and-see approach.
Final Thoughts: Risk or Opportunity?
Lynk’s massive short position has stirred debate among the crypto community. While some applaud the bold move and see downside potential, others caution against fighting XRP’s price momentum without confirmation.
As the token hovers around the $3.00 threshold, and with volatility intensifying, traders face a familiar dilemma: follow the hype, or fade the crowd? Whether Lynk’s gamble leads to a $3 million payday or a costly liquidation remains to be seen. What’s certain, though, is that the XRP battlefield is heating up again.
