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|4 min ReadTrader flips 2 million after CZ sparks memecoin frenzy
Maya Chen
Senior Analyst
Published
Jan 16, 2026
Early buyer rides a fast meme wave
One wallet moved fast and got paid. A trader identified as “0x872” bought the newly launched “4” token early and turned roughly 2 million within hours, according to Lookonchain. That is a 650-fold return. Despite the run-up, the trader sold only a small slice and still holds about 4,000 before the community turned the episode into a meme. The market did the rest.
Source: Lookonchain
The wallet appears all-in on the narrative. More than 98% of its portfolio is 4. Momentum helped. Over the past week, the account showed more than $1.8 million in unrealized profit, based on CoinStats.
Source: CoinStats.app
Smart money piles in as the meme flies
It was not just retail chasing green candles. Nansen’s trackers show “smart money” accounts buying 4 on BNB Chain. Over the last 24 hours, 4 ranked as the third-most-bought token by these addresses, with nearly $100,000 accumulated, per Nansen. The label matters. These are wallets monitored for strong historical returns. When they move together, flows become a signal.
Smart money trader flows, 24 hours. Source: Nansen
Memecoins have hit this level before. In March, one trader reportedly turned 43 million on Pepe, then walked away with 27 into $52 million in May 2024. These are headline outcomes. They also come with 50 to 80 percent drawdowns when the music stops. Everybody knows the volatility writes the rules.
CZ repost turns a spark into a blaze
The fuse was social. Interest in 4 exploded after Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao shared BNB Chain’s statement on the phishing incident to his 8.9 million followers. “Interestingly, after the hacker dumped ALL his tokens for a $4k gain, the community took over and bought the memecoin higher, as a mock to the hacker,” Zhao wrote in a Wednesday X post.
Source: Changpeng Zhao
Minutes mattered. Another unknown wallet bought 4 just before Zhao posted. Hours later, it showed more than $1.5 million in gains, according to Bubblemaps.
Source: Bubblemaps
BNB Chain’s official X account was briefly hacked the same day, and the attacker pushed phishing links while promoting the meme. The community spun that chaos into a rallying cry. A hacker grabbed $4,000. Early buyers grabbed millions on paper. The lesson is old but still powerful. In meme markets, narrative plus reach can move faster than fundamentals. Traders who catch it early enjoy beautiful days. Those who chase late hold the bag when gravity returns.
Disclaimer: This document is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed in this document are not, and should not be taken as, investment advice or recommendations. Recipients should do their own due diligence, taking into account their specific financial circumstances, investment objectives and risk tolerance, which are not considered here, before investing. This document is not an offer, or the solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell any of the assets mentioned.