WhiteBIT Names World’s Best Trader in Inaugural Live Global Crypto Trading Championship

[PRESS RELEASE – Vilnius, Lithuania, May 19th, 2025]

Max Hamaha from Ukraine staged a remarkable comeback to win the title, capturing attention during El Clásico as viewers around the globe took notice.

Europe’s leading cryptocurrency exchange by user traffic, WhiteBIT, proudly hosted the inaugural International Crypto Trading Cup (ICTC 2025) on May 9-10. This live-streamed event marked a pivotal moment in positioning cryptocurrency trading as an exciting, spectator-worthy sport, comparable to traditional esports.

The event brought together eight top crypto traders from around the world for a real-time competition on stage. Over two days, they traded for six hours each day, completing 269 trades that showcased innovative trading strategies, risk management practices, and decision-making under high-pressure scenarios.

In addition to the main competition, ICTC 2025 consisted of 33 teams, with the two largest comprising 369 and 298 members, and around 3,000 individual traders participating from various countries.

Max Hamaha Clinches Victory After Stunning Comeback

Ukrainian trader Max Hamaha became the first champion of the ICTC after starting in last place on the first day. His impressive turnaround on day two, fueled by a strong long position on Ethereum, resulted in an rPNL of 7,488.84 USDT, earning him first place. Hamaha executed 47 trades, ranking second in total trades, just behind Kazakhstan’s Muslim Abdullayev (Mus_money_), who had 49.

Max remarked on the experience: “Trading live on stage was an exhilarating experience—far more intense and enjoyable than trading from home. I had to adapt my typical methods to align with the tournament’s rules, but I maintained a focus on active intraday trading with high leverage. Despite feeling confident, the final moments were nerve-racking as others risked everything. WhiteBIT is leading the way; competitive trading could easily become as mainstream as esports. In a few years, crypto trading tournaments could rival Dota 2.”

Joining Hamaha on the podium were Dutch trader Merlijn The Trader in second place with an rPNL of 6,745.96 USDT, and fellow Ukrainian Eugene Loza (EXCAVO) in third with an rPNL of 4,098.90 USDT.

Malik Roth Klindt Jensen (Coinvo) notably recorded the highest individual gain during the tournament, achieving a profit of 12,249 USDT from an ETH_PERP position. Conversely, the largest single loss was -10,725 USDT on the same trading pair, emphasizing the risks associated with trading. Although participants used an internal asset called 50,000 USDTB for futures trading, this setup enabled a valuable learning experience.

ICTC Champion Celebrated During El Clásico

A memorable moment occurred when Hamaha’s name illuminated the LED boards during El Clásico, the renowned football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. This marked a historical first, showcasing a trading competition winner during one of the most viewed sporting events globally.

Insights into Trading Strategies

The ICTC also provided a unique glimpse into professional trading practices as participants shared their live screens and discussed their strategies. Marc Principato, a market technician and host of ICTC, emphasized the educational benefits of observing trades in real-time:

“The competition showcased a variety of trading styles, highlighted by Mauro Ciami’s aggressive ‘go big or go home’ approach on day one, and Merlin and Excavo’s high-risk overnight strategies that proved lucrative on day two.”

He continued:

“The insights gained from this event are invaluable for both novice and seasoned traders. Putting one’s reputation on the line and revealing personal strategies is a rarity among professional traders, so it’s essential to pay attention and take notes. From identifying high-probability patterns to mean reversion techniques, participants will walk away with actionable knowledge to enhance their own trading styles.”

Foundation for a New Era

Reflecting on the success of the inaugural event, Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of WhiteBIT Group, stated: “This tournament is paving a new path for us. It transcends mere trading; it’s about fostering community, sharing insights, and promoting global blockchain adoption. We are laying the groundwork for future endeavors. ICTC 2025 served as an initial step to gauge what resonates with our traders and audience, guiding us on where to go next. Our ambition is to establish this as an ongoing global event that grows more substantial with each iteration.”

Next Steps: Registration for ICTC 2026 Now Open

WhiteBIT is gearing up for the next event: registration for ICTC 2026 is officially open, welcoming both new and seasoned traders worldwide to compete, connect, and make history.

As boundaries between finance, technology, and entertainment continue to blur, ICTC 2025 is a clear indication of the future direction of crypto trading—interactive, competitive, and accessible to all.

Recordings of the live streams are available on WhiteBIT’s YouTube channel.

About WhiteBIT

WhiteBIT is the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Europe based on user traffic, providing over 780 trading pairs, more than 330 assets, and support for 9 fiat currencies. Established in 2018, the platform is part of the WhiteBIT Group, serving over 35 million customers globally. Collaborating with various partners, including Visa, FACEIT, FC Barcelona, Trabzonspor, and the Ukrainian national football team, WhiteBIT is committed to promoting blockchain technology worldwide.

This information pertains to the activities of all companies within the WhiteBIT Group globally, not just its European operations.