WhiteBIT, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by traffic in Europe and an official crypto partner of FC Barcelona, has successfully concluded the inaugural International Crypto Trading Cup (ICTC 2025). Held live on May 9–10, this groundbreaking event marked a milestone in the evolution of competitive crypto trading, drawing global attention as top traders showcased their skills on an international stage.
The two-day tournament was streamed live to audiences worldwide. It featured eight elite traders competing head-to-head in real time for twelve hours. Together, they executed 269 trades, offering viewers an exclusive glimpse into high-stakes decision-making, strategic risk management, and advanced trading techniques.
Ukrainian trader Max Hamaha emerged victorious after an incredible turnaround, climbing from last place on day one to claim the championship title. His bold long position on Ethereum on the second day resulted in a realized profit of 7,488.84 USDT, securing his position at the top of the leaderboard. Throughout the competition, Hamaha completed 47 trades, placing him just behind Kazakhstan’s Muslim Abdullayev, known online as Mus_money_, who carried out 49 trades.
Commenting on the competition, Hamaha explained:
“I’ve never experienced anything like this before. Trading live on stage was intense, but also incredibly fun. I had to adapt my usual strategy to fit the tournament format, but I stayed focused on active intraday trading with high leverage. This could be the beginning of something big—competitive trading may soon rival traditional esports.”
Hamaha was joined on the podium by Merlijn The Trader from the Netherlands, who finished second with 6,745.96 USDT in realized profit, and fellow Ukrainian Eugene Loza (EXCAVO) in third place with 4,098.90 USDT.
The competition saw dramatic swings in fortune. Malik Roth Klindt Jensen, also known as Coinvo, achieved the tournament’s highest single gain, earning 12,249 USDT from a trade on ETH_PERP. In contrast, another participant incurred a substantial loss of -10,725 USDT on the same trading pair, highlighting the volatility and risks associated with leveraged trading.
Each participant was provided with 50,000 USDTB, WhiteBIT’s proprietary futures trading asset, allowing them to compete without risking personal funds. This format created excitement and served as a valuable educational experience for participants and viewers.
In a symbolic moment blending finance and sports, Max Hamaha’s name appeared on the LED boards during El Clásico, the iconic football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. This marked the first time a winner of a cryptocurrency trading competition was acknowledged during one of the world’s most widely viewed sporting events.
Participants shared live screens and explained their strategies throughout the event, providing rare insight into professional trading methodologies. Market analyst and ICTC host Marc Principato highlighted the educational value of the tournament, noting the wide range of trading strategies on display. He observed that the event showcased a variety of approaches, from aggressive, high-risk tactics that dominated the first day to carefully planned overnight positions that yielded significant returns on day two. Principato emphasized that watching experienced traders make critical decisions under pressure gave aspiring traders valuable insights into market behavior, strategy refinement, and pattern recognition.
Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of WhiteBIT Group, reflected on the event’s importance, describing it as a significant milestone in the evolution of blockchain and finance. He stated that the tournament went beyond competition, emphasizing its role in fostering community, facilitating knowledge exchange, and promoting the global adoption of cryptocurrency. Nosov noted that ICTC 2025 marked the beginning of what could become a major international phenomenon and revealed plans to expand and enhance the event for next year.
As the boundaries between finance, technology, and entertainment continue to blur, ICTC 2025 signals a future where crypto trading is competitive, interactive, engaging, and accessible to all.
WhiteBIT is Europe’s leading cryptocurrency exchange in web traffic, providing access to more than 780 trading pairs and supporting over 330 digital assets across nine fiat currencies. Since its launch in 2018, the platform has grown to serve more than 35 million users worldwide as part of the WhiteBIT Group. The exchange has partnered with internationally recognized brands such as Visa, FACEIT, FC Barcelona, Trabzonspor, and the Ukrainian national football team. WhiteBIT continues to promote blockchain technology through innovation, educational initiatives, and strategic collaborations.