In 2025, some of the most influential players in the crypto world did not launch new protocols or manage funds. Instead, they engaged in ‘shitposting.’
This article is part of CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2025 list.
The pseudonymous trader known as James Wynn became the epitome of this trend. A crypto enthusiast who reportedly turned a $7,000 PEPE investment into over $25 million, Wynn then ventured into nine-figure bitcoin leverage trades on Hyperliquid, sharing every entry and exit with hundreds of thousands of his followers on social media.
Initially, his public Profit and Loss (PnL) statement indicated about $100 million in profit; however, weeks later, he admitted to “losing control” and watched nearly 99% of it vanish, even briefly wiping his account — a complete boom-and-bust cycle unfolded live on Crypto Twitter.
On Solana, the “Bonk Guy” (@theunipcs) played a similar game with a different type of risk. His initial BONK investment soared from around $16,000 to well over eight figures, making him the unofficial symbol of the chain’s meme resurgence in 2024. Screenshots showcasing eight-figure fluctuations, significant losses, a notable $30 million liquidation, and adventures with tokens like USELESS painted him as both a hero and a cautionary example for a new generation of gamblers.
Collectively, these traders transformed Crypto Twitter into a live casino balcony, where influence is gauged not by analytical pieces, but by the number of followers who jump into the next trade.
Social media traders feature among CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2025 for turning X dashboards into public PnL reality shows, facilitating billions in transaction volume through memecoins and perp DEXs in real time.
