In a groundbreaking event that fused the intensity of competitive gaming with high-stakes cryptocurrency trading, Max Hamaha emerged as the champion of WhiteBIT’s inaugural International Crypto Trading Cup (ICTC) 2025, walking away with a slice of the $5 million USDT prize pool. The Ukrainian trading veteran outlasted seven elite traders over a two-day, live-streamed showdown that set a new precedent for competitive finance.
A Historic First in Crypto eSports
Held from May 9 to 10 at the Andorra Park Hotel, ICTC 2025 marked the first-ever global crypto trading tournament broadcast live, drawing participants from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Sponsored by WhiteBIT, Europe’s largest crypto exchange by traffic, the event gave each trader $50,000 in stablecoins to actively manage during the competition with strict rules and zero automation allowed.
With a format reminiscent of professional eSports events, competitors were required to make at least three trades per hour, with no bots or external tools permitted. Powered by TradingView and supported by Tether, which provided a custom stablecoin (USDB) for the prize pool, the competition offered a front-row seat to the emotions, strategies, and improvisations of top-level traders.
Strategy Meets Spectacle
“Crypto trading has all the necessary components for a spectacular format: strategy, emotions, and strong personalities with extraordinary stories,” said WhiteBIT Founder Volodymyr Nosov at the awards ceremony.
Over the two days, viewers not only witnessed bold moves like 50x and 100x leveraged positions but also got a rare look at the psychology of trading under pressure. Through live commentary, interviews, and analysis, the event served as both entertainment and education, aligning with WhiteBIT’s broader mission of promoting mass blockchain adoption.
A Risk-Heavy Format
Despite the fanfare, some participants voiced concerns about the unusual nature of the trading environment. UAE-based trader Malik Roth Klindt Jensen, who finished fourth, noted the compressed timeframe disrupted traditional strategy:
“It’s very difficult to trade on skill. For it to be based on skill, it has to be based on a longer time frame.”
Luca Boiardi, a fifth-place finisher from Italy, echoed the sentiment:
“I think luck plays a major role in a tournament like this. It was not a natural environment, but that was the entire point it was very challenging.”
Technical hiccups also surfaced, with several traders citing internet glitches and abnormal slippage that impacted trade outcomes.
Max Hamaha’s Path to Victory
Ultimately, it was Max Hamaha, a Ukrainian trader and YouTube influencer with over 17 years of market experience and a following of more than 100,000 subscribers, who adapted best. Known for his recent memecoin launch on the TON blockchain (Gaileo, GGAI), Hamaha acknowledged that the format required calculated risk:
“In an event like this, traders have to take risks based on the format, which creates conditions that most traders are not used to.”
What’s Next?
Despite the challenges, ICTC 2025 was hailed as a success by organizers and participants alike. Alex Kozenko, WhiteBIT’s CMO, hinted at more to come:
“This is the first event where anyone could test their skills in real time, against seasoned professionals. We look forward to organizing this event again next year.”
As the lines between trading, entertainment, and competitive sport continue to blur, events like ICTC may soon become a mainstay in the crypto world offering a high-stakes arena where skill, speed, and psychology collide.
