Wintermute Accused of Manipulating Market by Dumping $BTC and $ETH

Wintermute accused of manipulating the crypto market by dumping millions in Bitcoin and Ethereum ahead of a key Federal Reserve meeting.

Wintermute, a significant player in the cryptocurrency trading space, is under scrutiny for selling large amounts of Bitcoin ($BTC) and Ethereum ($ETH). These sales have coincided with an important Federal Reserve meeting, raising concerns among market participants.

Critics believe the firm’s actions are aimed at keeping Bitcoin’s price below the $90K mark. Recent reports show that Wintermute liquidated over $150 million in long positions, leading to further speculation about market manipulation.

Wintermute’s Heavy Selling Activity

Wintermute has been consistently offloading significant amounts of Bitcoin and Ethereum over the past few weeks.

The firm reportedly sold around 40% of its holdings in these assets. These actions have had a noticeable impact on the market, with prices dropping following Wintermute’s large sales.

Many traders believe that such consistent selling has contributed to recent declines in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices.

The firm has conducted these sales on major exchanges like Binance.

Some market participants view the timing of these sales as suspicious, especially ahead of important events like the Federal Reserve meeting. This has led to concerns that Wintermute is influencing the market in its favor by pushing prices lower.

The continued selling activity has raised questions about the firm’s long-term strategy and its role in price manipulation.

Accusations of Market Manipulation

As Wintermute continues its aggressive selling, accusations of market manipulation have emerged. Some critics argue that the firm is deliberately holding Bitcoin’s price below certain resistance levels.

The ongoing sell-offs seem designed to keep prices in check, preventing Bitcoin from reaching new highs. This kind of behavior, if proven, could be viewed as a form of market manipulation.

🚨 BREAKING:

WINTERMUTE NON-STOP DUMPING MILLIONS OF $BTC AND $ETH AHEAD OF FED MEETING

THEY LIQUIDATED OVER $150M LONGS AND KEEP SELLING MORE

THIS IS PURE MANIPULATION!! pic.twitter.com/ib3DcQcSFV

— Philanthrop (@0xPhilanthrop) December 23, 2025

While market manipulation laws in the cryptocurrency sector are still evolving, these actions have drawn significant attention.

Many industry experts believe that Wintermute’s trades may be influencing market sentiment. The firm’s role in these price movements is now a topic of debate, with some calling for greater transparency in its operations.

However, no legal action has been taken against Wintermute at this time.

Related Reading:  Wintermute Urges SEC to Exclude Network Tokens from Securities Rules 

Wintermute’s Influence on the Crypto Market

Wintermute plays a crucial role in providing liquidity to the cryptocurrency market. As one of the largest trading firms, its activities can impact both the price and stability of digital assets.

Some traders argue that the firm’s moves are just part of standard trading practices, but others feel the impact is more harmful. The firm’s actions have the potential to destabilize the market, especially when done at such a large scale.

Despite the growing concerns, Wintermute has yet to respond publicly to the accusations. Its influence on the market is likely to remain significant as long as it continues its current trading strategy.

Whether or not Wintermute will adjust its approach remains to be seen. Market participants are watching closely to see if its actions will lead to further volatility or if other market players will counterbalance its influence.