Michael Patryn, a co-founder of the troubled cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX, may reportedly have some links with Reddit user MikeXBT, who has often posted threads on Reddit in which he boasted about conducting large volume trades on the world’s largest cryptocurrency derivatives exchange BitMEX.

As those who’ve been following the crypto space recently would know, QuadrigaCX is a Canadian digital asset exchange, which was forced to shut down on January 26 due to management problems and the unexpected death of QuadrigaCX’s co-founder, Gerald Cotten.

On February 6, QuadrigaCX was granted its requested creditor protection by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court – as it claimed to be experiencing problems such as not being able to access “very significant cryptocurrency reserves held in cold wallets.”

Reports Surface About Patryn’s Links To “MikeXBT”

Interestingly, reports have now surfaced that Michael Patryn may be linked to a cryptocurrency trader known as “MikeXBT” on Reddit. According to comments made by MikeXBT last month, he appeared to have been suggesting that he may have been a shareholder in QuadrigaCX.

One of the comments made by MikeXBT was as follows, reffering to a QuadrigaCX shareholder meeting:

We were invited. It was not mandatory. Most shareholders did not attend.

Notably, MikeXBT  also responded last month to a comment in which the user referred to him as “Mr. Patryn.” About 5 years ago, MikeXBT had also reportedly been linked directly to Michael Patryn, as a candidate competing for a spot on the Bitcoin Alliance Board. It was also back then that Francis Pouliot, the CEO and co-founder of Bull Bitcoin, a Canadian-based bitcoin company, posted information related to Patryn on a public forum – which notably referred to the “MIKE XBT” handle.

Omar Dhanani Or Omar Patryn?

Last week, Globe and Mail published an article in which it noted that Patryn’s real name was Omar Dhanani. The article also mentioned that Dhanani was a “convicted felon who served time in the United States for his role in an online identity-theft ring.”

At 20 years of age, Dhanani had been taken into police custody by the US Secret Service for allegedly being involved in facilitating an anonymous “electronic money-laundering service.” At that time, US courts revealed that Dhanani had frequently been using an alias of Omar Patryn. Following a trial, Patryn served an 18-month prison sentence and was released in May 2007.

Social Media Users Allege Patryn Traded With QuadrigaCX’s Funds

Patryn claims he parted ways with QuadrigaCX’s management in 2016 – allegedly after having an argument with the late QuadrigaCX founder, Cotten, about the possibility of taking the exchange public.

The link between Michael Patryn and MikeXBT may pose problems as the MikeXBT account had often boasted about taking very large positions on BitMEX. Notably, some social media users have alleged Patryn may have used QuadrigaCX’s funds to enter positions on BitMEX.

According to MikeXBT’s comments on r/BitcoinMarkets (in April 2018): 

Closed my $7 million long posted here from $6580, at an average of $6840. A gain of approximately 4%, plus earned a bit in maker fees and perpetual fundings.

Entering Extremely Large Positions

Just a few months later in September 2018, MikeXBT claimed to have entered an $8 million position:

Long $8 MM @ $6646. 1x leverage, soft stops at 5%. I allowed part of my hedge short to expire during the September settlement on Mex, planning to reopen in $500k chunks as the price increases.

In addition to the long positions, MikeXBT had reportedly entered several short positions as well:

Added $1MM to my $2MM short @ $8722. Current position $3MM @ $8895. I’m still expecting substantial downward movement, but will consider this trade lost if we break the $9,400 range with conviction.

Meanwhile, Twitter user, “I am Nomad” recently revealed what appeared to be a list of positions entered by a trader with username “Patryn” on BitMEX.