Bankruptcy news-Page 6
Crypto exchange Digital Surge emerges as a rare survivor of FTX fallout
Australian cryptocurrency exchange Digital Surge appears to have narrowly avoided collapse, despite having millions of dollars in digital assets tied up in the now-bankrupt FTX crypto exchange. On Jan. 24 local time, Digital Surge creditors approved a five-year bailout plan, which aims to eventually refund its 22,545 customers who had their digital assets frozen on the platform since Nov. 16, while allowing the exchange to continue operating. The rescue plan was first floated to customers by the exchanges’ directors via email on Dec. 8, the same day the company fell into administration. As per the “Deed of Company Arrangement,” the …
Business / Jan. 25, 2023
BlockFi reportedly posts uncensored financials revealing $1.2 billion FTX exposure
Bankrupt crypto lending firm BlockFi has reportedly uploaded financials by accident, revealing $1.2 billion in assets tied up with bankrupt exchange FTX and Alameda Research. According to a Jan. 25 report from CNBC, the unredacted filings show that as of Jan. 14, BlockFi had $415.9 million worth of assets linked to FTX, and a whopping $831.3 million in loans to Alameda. The financials were leaked as part of a presentation put together by M3 Partners, who is an advisor to the creditor committee. The crypto lending firm filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on Nov. 28, weeks after the collapse of …
United States / Jan. 25, 2023
New 'Celsius token' may be used to repay creditors: report
Bankrupt crypto lending firm Celsius may issue its own token to repay creditors, according to a January 24 report from Bloomberg. The report cites a video court hearing as the source of the information. According to the report, Celsius attorney Ross M. Kwasteniet told the court that the firm is negotiating with its creditors on how to relaunch the platform and adequately pay them back. The new, relaunched version would be “a publicly-traded company that is properly licensed,” which could allegedly provide more money for creditors than simply liquidating the company. If approved by creditors and the court, the reorganized …
Regulation / Jan. 24, 2023
BlockFi to sell $160M in Bitcoin miner-backed loans: Report
Bankrupt crypto lending firm BlockFi has plans to sell off $160 million in loans backed by around 68,000 Bitcoin mining machines as part of bankruptcy proceedings, according to reports. In a Bloomberg report on Jan. 24, two people “familiar with the matter” claim that BlockFi started the process of selling off the loans last year. The crypto lender filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Nov. 2022, citing its significant exposure to the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX for its downfall. However, some of these loans have already defaulted since then and could be undercollateralized given the decline in the price of …
Bitcoin / Jan. 24, 2023
Genesis eyes fast resolution to creditor disputes and bankruptcy exit in May
A lawyer for bankrupt crypto lending firm Genesis is optimistic the firm can resolve its creditor disputes as early as this week and the company could come out of Chapter 11 proceedings by late May. Genesis’ lawyer Sean O'Neal made the comments at a Jan. 23 initial hearing at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, according to a Reuters report. He added Genesis had "some measure of confidence" it would resolve disputes with creditors by the end of the week and, if needed, would look for the judge to install a mediator, but said: …
Business / Jan. 24, 2023
BlockFi exec argues bankruptcy court should approve bonuses to retain talent
Megan Crowell, the chief people officer at crypto lending firm BlockFi, has petitioned a court to allow bonuses for “key employees” amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. In a Jan. 23 declaration for United State Bankruptcy Court in the District of New Jersey, Crowell said without giving certain financial incentives, BlockFi might be unable to retain employees in a “highly competitive” crypto industry. According to the BlockFi executive, many staff were “highly likely to leave the company” amid the Chapter 11 process without “competitive compensation”, potentially adding to costs down the road. “The war for talent remains active, and the Participants …
Regulation / Jan. 23, 2023
NYDFS advises crypto firms not to commingle user and corporate funds in the event of insolvency
The New York Department of Financial Services, or NYDFS, has released guidelines on how licensed crypto firms should handle customer assets should they face “insolvency or similar proceeding”. In a Jan. 23 announcement, NYDFS superintendent Adrienne Harris said crypto firms and exchanges operating under a BitLicense — required in New York state — should segregate corporate funds from users’ virtual currency holdings both on-chain and in the “internal ledger accounts” of the company’s custodian. According to the regulator, crypto firms are expected to hold users’ assets “only for the limited purpose of carrying out custody and safekeeping services”: “A [virtual …
Regulation / Jan. 23, 2023
Genesis bankruptcy case scheduled for first hearing
The first hearing in Genesis Capital's bankruptcy case will be held on January 23 at 2:00 pm (EST), according to court filings. United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Sean H. Lane is hearing the case. Under Chapter 11, known as the reorganization chapter, companies can propose a reorganization plan to creditors, while allowed to continue operating its business, told Cointelegraph Mark Pfeiffer, bankruptcy attorney at law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. As the first step in the bankruptcy proceedings, the court will decide whether to accept the relief requested under Chapter 11 by Genesis …
Business / Jan. 22, 2023
SBF to forfeit $700M worth of assets if found guilty of fraud
According to new court filings, disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) will be subject to the forfeiture of roughly $700 million worth of assets if he were to be found guilty of fraud. In a court document filed on Jan 20, U.S. federal prosecutor Damian Williams outlined that the “government respectfully gives notice that the property subject to forfeiture” covers a long list of assets across fiat, shares and crypto. The filings state that most of the assets were seized by the government between Jan.4 and Jan. 19, while it is also looking to lay claim to “all monies and …
Regulation / Jan. 21, 2023
Genesis' bankruptcy filing was decided by independent committee according to DCG
Genesis Capital's parent company Digital Currency Group (DCG) denied involvement in Genesis' bankruptcy filing in a statement on Jan. 20. According to DCG, a special committee of independent directors recommended and decided to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Filing for Chapter 11 will allow Genesis to seek the reorganization of debts, assets and other business activities. The company estimated liabilities of $1 billion to $10 billion, along with assets in the same range. DCG noted in the statement that: "Genesis has its own independent management team, legal counsel, and financial advisors, and appointed a special committee of independent directors, …
Business / Jan. 20, 2023
Crypto lender Genesis files for bankruptcy
Cryptocurrency lender Genesis has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York,on Jan. 19. The firm has estimated liabilities of $1 billion to $10 billion and assets in the same range according to the filing. Earlier reports claimed the company would file for bankruptcy protection if it was unable to raise capital due to a liquidity crisis. The firm suspended withdrawals from its platform in November 2022 amid market turbulence caused by the collapse of FTX. Earlier in January the company laid off a further 30% of its workforce, the second round of job cuts in …
Business / Jan. 20, 2023
Former FTX chief lawyer claims US legal counsel channeled business to S&C
A former FTX chief lawyer has accused the company's US general counsel of channeling business to Sullivan & Cromwell (S&C) — the firm currently serving FTX as bankruptcy counsel. Daniel Friedberg, who was the chief regulatory officer of FTX until he resigned on Nov. 8, made the allegations as part of a Jan 19. court filing. The filing was a declaration in support of an FTX creditor’s objection to FTX’s plan to continue using S&C as its lawyers throughout its bankruptcy case. In the declaration, Friedberg alleges that FTX.US lead counsel Ryne Miller, a former partner at S&C channeled business …
Regulation / Jan. 20, 2023