Why This Bank CEO Wants 99% Of The Crypto Industry Gone

In a bold and contentious statement, Caitlin Long has asserted that 99% of the crypto industry should be eliminated to decrease leverage buildup and improve the industry’s future advancement.

Industry Overhaul Demanded For Sustainability

Caitlin Long, Founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, a crypto asset banking company, has called for a seismic change in the crypto industry and its practices. The CEO emphatically suggested that only 1% of the crypto industry should be allowed to operate while 99% of the industry should be destroyed and the majority of crypto firms in the industry “flushed out.”

In a heated interview with Bezinga, Long was adamant about her controversial views of the crypto industry, stating that the industry had enormous potential but was being set back significantly by crypto firms operating using highly leveraged trading activities. 

Long stated that she had an active discussion with a distinguished individual who shared her views and supported the notion that the majority of the industry needs to be purged for it to thrive.

“I had a debate with a prominent person. I said, ‘Look, 90% of this industry still needs to go away, and he said it’s 99%, and I think that’s right. I mean whether it’s 90% or 99%, you see the point, there’s still a bunch of crap that needs to be flushed out,” Long said.

Crypto total market cap chart from Tradingview.com

Long Compares Crypto Industry To 1999 Tech Stock Bubble

Caitlin Long has likened the current crypto industry to the tech stock bubble in 1999. Notably, the tech stock bubble which coincided with the growth of internet adoption, rose 800% in investments, attracting investors from prominent companies all over the world. After reaching its peak, the stock market crashed by 740%, leaving the majority of investors and companies bankrupt and shut down. 

Long compares this stock market crash to the crypto market crash in 2022 which saw Bitcoin falling by about 70% and major altcoins by 80% to 90%, resulting in the bankruptcy of major firms and investors. 

She also stated that the crypto industry would not succeed if it continues to amplify trading activities through leverage while allowing unregulated exchanges to operate. 

“It is in some ways a repeat of the tech stock bubble of 1999, just so much crap. And it will not succeed, and it needs to be flushed, but markets are flushing it,” Long stated. 

Long suggested that a lack of proper regulations on crypto exchanges is exacerbating the risks and challenges in the crypto space. Additionally, she revealed that she was in support of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recent crackdown on crypto exchanges in the industry.

Nevertheless, the CEO has not proposed a total annihilation of the crypto industry, just a major portion of it. When asked about her views on the Bitcoin cryptocurrency, Long stated, “I don’t really care about the price. It is the least interesting aspect of this technology. I’m more interested in it as a technology.”

Executives Of Crypto-Friendly Bank Silvergate Step Down As Lawsuits, Liquidation Rages On

In a recent turn of events, multiple executives of the embattled California-based cryptocurrency bank Silvergate Capital have announced that they will be stepping away from their roles at the bank.

The announcement comes as the bank remains deep in the throes of liquidation while battling multiple lawsuits linked to its demise.

Top Executives Set to Step Down

Silvergate Capital Corp announced on Tuesday, August 16, the departure of some of its primary employees working in executive leadership positions in its company. The executives leaving include Chief Financial Officer, Antonia Martino, Chief Legal Officer, John Bonino, and CEO, Alan Lane. 

Lane and the company’s Chief Legal Officer will be departing on Tuesday, August 16, and according to a financial filing delivered to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Silvergate’s Chief Legal Officer is set to step down on September 30.  

The executives’ decision to depart from Silvergate follows the bank’s announcement in March to shut down operations and liquidate its assets. Lane has served as the CEO of Silver Capital Corp and Silvergate Bank since 2008 and played a pivotal role in Silvergate’s development and growth. 

In the absence of a CEO, Silvergate has replaced Lane with Silvergate’s Chief Transition Officer, Kathleen M. Fraher. It has also made Andrew Surry, Silvergate’s Accounting Officer, the principal financial offer in the absence of Martino.

Silvergate stated in the filing to the SEC that it will provide each executive severance benefits previously offered to employees laid off through the bank’s liquidation process. 

Earlier this year in January, Silvergate laid off over 180 employees, cutting its workforce by 40%. Again, in May, the bank laid off over 250 workers, leaving a group of about 80 to oversee its liquidation and termination process. 

The San-Diego-based bank said in a report that it plans to significantly reduce the number of employees in its company and manage its operations using a skeleton crew. 

Silvergate bank stock price chart from Tradingview.com

Silvergate Enveloped in Lawsuits and Liquidations

In November 2022, Silvergate collapsed following the FTX failure and embroilment in fraud. Silvergate, which served as one of the two major banks for cryptocurrency companies in the industry, decided to officially shut down all operations and start a liquidation process. 

As a result, stocks plunged by 36% and the bank suffered massive customer withdrawals. Toward the end of Q3, Silvergate’s total deposits from crypto customers plummeted by 68%, declining to $3.8 billion from an astonishing $11.9 billion. 

According to reports, FTX was one of Silvergate’s major customers and it was revealed that Silvergate held about $1 billion in deposits from FTX at the time of its failure. Silvergate’s affiliation with FTX has caused severe financial damage to the bank’s reputation and put it on the radar of the regulatory authorities in the United States. 

Silvergate was also mentioned in multiple lawsuits due to its association with the bankrupt FTX and allegations of participation in FTX’s fraudulent activities.

San Francisco’s SoFi Bank Reveals Significant Holdings In BTC, ETH, And DOGE

San Francisco’s SoFi Bank, a rising financial institution with 6.2 million customers, has unveiled its substantial cryptocurrency holdings, demonstrating a proactive embrace of the evolving digital asset landscape. 

BTC, ETH, and DOGE Lead the Way

A recent report shows that the bank’s second-quarter earnings totaled $170 million in various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Dogecoin (DOGE).

Among its cryptocurrency investments, SoFi Bank boasts $82 million worth of Bitcoin, solidifying its position in ‘digital gold.’ Ethereum follows closely, with $55 million, showcasing the bank’s belief in the blockchain’s potential. 

The meme-inspired Dogecoin takes the third spot with $5 million, while Cardano secures the fourth place with $4.5 million. The bank also diversifies with digital assets like Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), and Ethereum Classic (ETC).

SoFi Bank BTC, ETH, DOGE

SoFi Bank’s unique proposition lies in its commitment to fee-free cryptocurrency investments, allowing customers to allocate a portion of their direct deposits to digital assets. 

The bank further incentivizes newcomers by offering a $100 crypto bonus upon registration. With a minimum investment threshold as low as $10, the platform fosters accessibility to a variety of cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin.

While SoFi Bank’s innovative approach to cryptocurrency has garnered attention, it faces regulatory scrutiny, particularly from the United States Federal Reserve. The regulatory body has raised concerns over the bank’s involvement in crypto-related activities, requiring alignment with established policies. The bank has been given until January 2024 to ensure compliance, a process that involves navigating regulatory capital treatment intricacies.

Founded in 2011, SoFi Bank transitioned from its status as a non-bank entity in 2019 to a fully-fledged financial institution the following year.

Bitcoin (BTC) price chart from Tradingview.com (ETH, DOGE, SoFi Bank)

Strategic Growth And Financial Success

The earnings report highlights SoFi Bank’s business acumen, reflected in its strong second-quarter performance. With a remarkable 37% surge in revenue ($498 million) compared to the previous year, the bank showcases its ability to thrive amidst a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

SoFi Technology Stock also witnessed a 17% surge in July following its Q2 report. “As a result of this growth in high-quality deposits, we have benefited from a lower cost of funding for our loans,” SoFi CEO Anthony Noto said.

SoFi is not the only bank that has made its way into cryptocurrencies. Major US banks like Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, and Goldman Sachs, among others, have also taken the plunge to provide access to digital assets and cryptocurrencies for their clients.

Other notable entrants into the industry include BlackRock and ARK Invest, which have filed applications for Spot Bitcoin ETFs with the SECs. On August 13, the first of these, the ARK Invest application, will be deliberated on to be approved or rejected by the SEC. However, the regulator could also end up extending the deadline.

SEBA Bank To Include Ethereum Staking In Services

SEBA Bank is a renowned digital currency company that acts as a bridge between conventional currencies and digital currencies, like Ethereum. It’s committed to offering its customers and clients a secure and seamless trading experience.

Like regular banks, SEBA Bank allows investors and traders to perform transactions based on cryptocurrencies and traditional currencies. While these services seem good enough for its customers and clients, the company saw a need for operational expansion. To this effect, the firm has included Ethereum staking as part of its services.

SEBA Bank Includes ETH Staking In Its Services

According to SEBA Bank executive Mathias Schütz, including Ethereum staking to its services is an excellent way to be relevant to the network upgrade.

The Swiss crypto asset banking platform revealed in an announcement that Ethereum staking has successfully been added to its services. The idea is to create an opportunity for other companies that wish to make profits through ETH staking.

DeFi (Decentralized finance) services have an increasing institutional demand. The company cited that one way to meet this demand is through Ethereum staking. Schütz added that the company would play a vital role in securing the network’s future by including Ethereum staking into its services.

The cryptocurrency sector is rapidly evolving, and there’s a need for the company to follow up at the same pace. So, supporting Ethereum staking is the best way to achieve this goal, Schütz added. Moreover, he acknowledged that the Merge would mark a significant breakthrough regarding Ethereum sustainability, scalability, and security.

Other Firms In Ethereum Staking Business

SEBA Bank is not the only firm interested in incorporating Ethereum staking into its services. Some other companies are already in the business as they await the Merge. A few examples of these companies are Anchorage Digital and Ethermine.

Anchorage Digital announced in June this year that it had incorporated Ethereum staking into its operations. Anchorage is recognized as a crypto bank in the digital currency industry. The firm also cited that the new development was intended for institutional clients.

Diogo Mónica stated that there would be no chances of losses with this development. So, the institutions and the ecosystem should be prepared for a win-win operation at the start of the Ethereum staking. Diogo Mónica is the co-founder of the crypto bank Anchorage Digital.

On the other hand, Ethermine has decided to create a staking pool for its users, which is already in operation. Ethermine is the known mining pool of Ethereum.

Ethereum price trends sideways l ETHUSDT on TradingView.com

The minimum amount required for users to engage in the staking is 0.1 Ether. In addition, through the staking pool, users will receive a 4.43% yearly interest rate on the platform.

Furthermore, the platform allowed participation in the staking with less ETH. However, such stakers will be required to pay additional fees.

Featured image from Pixabay, chart from TradingView.com