Crypto whale Machi Big Brother, also known as Huang Licheng, saw his portfolio profits rebound above $30 million in August 2025, driven by concentrated positions in ETH, HYPE and PUMP. Within 24 hours of the recovery being reported, he had closed all positions and locked in even larger realized gains.
Machi Big Brother’s Profit Recovery Put the Wallet Back Above $30M
On August 12, 2025, on-chain analytics account Lookonchain reported that Machi Big Brother’s profits had recovered and exceeded $30 million. The disclosure identified the trader by his real name, Huang Licheng, a well-known figure in the crypto space.
The recovery was independently confirmed by multiple outlets. Coin Edition reported that Machi Big Brother’s portfolio was back in profit by over $30 million, with gains led by ETH, HYPE and PUMP bets. SignalPlus separately identified Huang Licheng as the trader behind the positions and restated the over-$30 million gain framing.
The profit rebound is notable given the broader market environment. At the time the positions were being tracked, the crypto market was showing signs of caution, with sentiment indicators reflecting unease among retail participants.
ETH, HYPE and PUMP Made Up the Rebound
Lookonchain’s August 12 post broke down the exact positions behind the recovery. Machi Big Brother held 11,900 ETH valued at $51 million, making Ethereum the dominant leg of the trade by a wide margin.
The second-largest disclosed position was 500,000 HYPE tokens worth $21.68 million. The smallest allocation was 250 million PUMP tokens valued at $907,500, a fraction of the ETH and HYPE exposure.
Machi Big Brother(@machibigbrother)’s profits are back — now exceeding $30M.
He is long on $ETH, $HYPE, and $PUMP.
Current positions:
11,900 $ETH($51M)
500,000 $HYPE($21.68M)
250M $PUMP($907.5K)https://t.co/fk2wRZjZpx pic.twitter.com/PkYpMZzLOM— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) August 12, 2025
Source: @lookonchain on X
The concentration in ETH is consistent with broader DeFi and token trading patterns among high-profile wallets, where Ethereum often serves as the core holding while smaller altcoin bets provide asymmetric upside.
Ethereum was trading at $2,357.21 when this research was compiled, down 3.2% over the prior 24 hours.
The August 13 Exit Turned a Recovery Story Into a Realized Gain
Just one day later, on August 13, 2025, Lookonchain posted a follow-up: Machi Big Brother had closed all long positions. Total realized profits exceeded $33.8 million, an increase from the $30 million-plus snapshot reported the day before.
This detail, which competing outlets did not include in their coverage, shifts the narrative. The story is not just that profits recovered on paper; the trader reportedly locked in gains by exiting entirely.
The timing of the exit adds further context. The Crypto Fear and Greed Index read 26 at the time, classified as “Fear.” Profit-taking of this scale during a fearful market suggests conviction rather than panic, with the whale choosing to realize gains while broader sentiment remained cautious.
For traders watching large wallet activity as a signal, the sequence, recovery followed by a swift and complete exit, illustrates how quickly whale positioning can shift even when the wider market is uncertain.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.
