Similarities to James Wynn’s Tactics Raise Concerns

Chinese authorities have uncovered three separate cases of cryptocurrency-based money laundering that allegedly exploited the decentralized trading platform Hyperliquid, according to Mirror Tang, founder of blockchain security firm Salus. The operations, first detected in March, demonstrate a novel and complex strategy that leverages Hyperliquid’s high-risk liquidation mechanisms to obscure illicit gains.

According to Tang, the perpetrators utilized Hyperliquid’s high-leverage features to intentionally trigger liquidation events that appeared as trading losses. Simultaneously, they placed reverse positions on centralized exchanges, allowing them to profit while giving the appearance of incurring losses on-chain.

“This dual-market strategy effectively masked the true flow of funds,” Tang explained. “By intentionally creating a loss on Hyperliquid, while earning gains elsewhere, criminals were able to launder money under the radar.”

The laundering scheme closely mirrors the method reportedly used by James Wynn, a figure previously accused of manipulating cross-exchange arbitrage opportunities for illicit purposes. While Wynn has not been formally charged in connection with the recent cases, the structural resemblance of the operations has raised red flags within the crypto compliance community.

Experts Call for Stronger Risk Controls on DeFi Platforms

The lack of built-in risk controls on Hyperliquid has become a growing concern. Mirror Tang publicly called upon Hyperliquid contributor Jeff (@chameleon_jeff on X) to address these issues, warning that failure to implement robust anti-money laundering (AML) measures could invite increased scrutiny from regulators.

“Platforms that do not proactively implement AML protections are likely to face regulatory intervention, especially in jurisdictions like China where crypto-related crimes are under intense investigation,” Tang said.

The revelation comes as Chinese law enforcement agencies continue to intensify their crackdown on illegal crypto activity, which includes everything from pyramid schemes to unlicensed token offerings and now, increasingly, sophisticated laundering via decentralized protocols.

As the crypto ecosystem matures, experts say exchanges and DeFi platforms alike will need to adopt more advanced surveillance tools to detect manipulation and comply with international financial standards.

Hyperliquid has yet to issue a formal response regarding the alleged misuse of its platform for laundering activities.

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