Crypto trader nets $380,000 from U.S. strike on Iran

spread investments across multiple February contracts, predicting strikes by specific dates, reflecting a firm belief in imminent escalation. Early bets expired worthless, but the confirmed strike validated several positions, pushing total profits to about $385,000 by February 28.

More strikes expected

Meanwhile, another trader, using the wallet , opened an account just 11 hours earlier and wagered roughly $50,000 that the U.S. would strike Iran by March 1, 2026.

The position quickly swelled to about $96,800 in profit, prompting speculation over whether the trade was coincidental or informed by advance knowledge.

The gains come amid growing scrutiny of potential insider activity on . Past cases of well-timed geopolitical bets have attracted attention from regulators and analysts, with some resulting in criminal charges tied to the misuse of sensitive information.

While no evidence links the latest trades to insider activity, the pattern of newly created or narrowly focused accounts posting outsized returns has renewed debate over market integrity and oversight in decentralized prediction markets.

Meanwhile, the attack has had significant ramifications on the broader financial market. For instance, oil prices jumped on fears of supply disruptions through key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, lifting Brent crude more than 3% to around $72.76 per barrel. Gold climbed toward $5,200 per ounce as investors sought safety.

Cryptocurrencies moved the other way as Bitcoin fell sharply, triggering over $100 million in liquidations, while short sellers benefited as digital assets were treated as risk-sensitive.