5 Legendary Crypto Trades with Leverage in 2025: Stories of Massive Gains and Brutal Lessons

• 1. The 2021 DOGE Rally: From $1,000 to $25,000 with 20x Leverage
• 2. LUNA’s 2022 Collapse: A $5,000 Short That Made $75,000
• 3. Bitcoin’s 2022 Bear Market: 10x Profits from a BTC Short
• 4. MYX Finance’s 2025 Surge: $10 to $10,000 with 50x Leverage
• 5. XRP’s 2023 SEC Pump: $500 to $9,000 in 24 Hours
• Key Takeaways from These Legendary Trades
• FAQs: Crypto Leverage Trading Explained

The world of Crypto Leverage trading is a rollercoaster—where fortunes are made and lost in minutes. From Dogecoin’s meme-fueled rally to LUNA’s catastrophic collapse, these five legendary trades showcase the extreme highs and lows of leveraged positions. Whether it’s turning $10 into $10,000 or shorting Bitcoin for 10x gains, these stories reveal the power—and peril—of trading with leverage. But remember: for every winner, there are countless traders who got liquidated. Ready to dive into the wildest crypto trades of the decade? Buckle up.

1. The 2021 DOGE Rally: From $1,000 to $25,000 with 20x Leverage

In early 2021, Dogecoin (DOGE) went from meme to mainstream, skyrocketing from fractions of a cent to nearly $1. Fueled by Elon Musk’s tweets and a rabid online community, DOGE became a trader’s dream—or nightmare. One trader on Bitget spotted the momentum early. On May 4, 2021, they opened a 20x Leveraged long position at $0.30 with just $1,000 in margin. Four days later, DOGE hit $0.73, turning their $1,000 into over $25,000. But here’s the kicker: the same 20x leverage that amplified gains could’ve wiped them out in minutes. Many latecomers learned this the hard way when DOGE corrected sharply. As the BTCC team notes, “Leverage is a double-edged sword—especially with memecoins.”

2. LUNA’s 2022 Collapse: A $5,000 Short That Made $75,000

May 2022 was the month Terra’s empire crumbled. As the algorithmic stablecoin UST lost its peg, LUNA’s price nosedived from $80 to NEAR zero in days. While most investors panicked, one trader on OKX saw an opportunity. On May 7, they shorted LUNA at $80 with 15x leverage and $5,000 margin. By May 9, their position was worth ~$75,000—a theoretical 1,400% gain. In reality, liquidity dried up, and slippage was brutal. Still, this trade remains a masterclass in shorting systemic failures. “Timing is everything,” says a BTCC analyst. “One wrong move, and your margin is toast.”

3. Bitcoin’s 2022 Bear Market: 10x Profits from a BTC Short

After peaking at $69,000 in November 2021, bitcoin entered a brutal bear market. By June 2022, it had crashed below $20,000—a goldmine for short sellers. One trader on Bitget opened a 20x leveraged short at $45,000 on April 10 with $1,000 margin. Two months later, with BTC at $19,000, they closed the position for an $11,500 profit. The lesson? Even “moderate” 10x-20x leverage can deliver life-changing gains during strong trends. But as TradingView charts show, holding through volatility takes nerves of steel.

4. MYX Finance’s 2025 Surge: $10 to $10,000 with 50x Leverage

Small-cap altcoins can be leverage traders’ wildest dreams—or worst nightmares. In August 2025, MYX Finance was trading at $0.80 when a trader on MEXC went all-in with 50x leverage and a $10 margin. By September 9, MYX hit $17, turning their $10 into five figures. Sure, funding fees nibbled at profits, but who complains about a 1,000x return? Just remember: at 50x leverage, a 2% drop wipes you out. Even MEXC later slashed MYX’s max leverage to 20x to curb risks.

5. XRP’s 2023 SEC Pump: $500 to $9,000 in 24 Hours

When Ripple scored a partial victory against the SEC on July 13, 2023, XRP exploded from $0.47 to $0.85 overnight. A prepared trader on Bitget had opened a 20x long at $0.45 the day prior with $500 margin. Result? A cool $9,000 profit. News trades like this are high-risk, high-reward gambles—get the timing wrong, and you’re liquidated before the headline finishes loading.

Key Takeaways from These Legendary Trades

Leverage can turn pocket change into life-changing money, but it’s not a game for beginners. These stories highlight three truths: (1) Timing is everything, (2) Discipline separates winners from losers, and (3) No one remembers the traders who got wrecked. As CoinMarketCap data shows, 90% of leveraged positions fail. So if you’re diving in, start small, use stop-losses, and never risk more than you can afford to lose.

FAQs: Crypto Leverage Trading Explained

What’s the safest leverage for beginners?

Stick to 2x-5x until you’re comfortable with volatility. Even pros rarely exceed 20x.

Which exchange offers the highest leverage?

BTCC and other offshore platforms offer up to 125x, but EU-regulated exchanges cap at 30x for retail traders.

How do funding fees work in perpetual contracts?

Longs pay shorts (or vice versa) every 8 hours based on price differentials—it adds up fast at high leverage.