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FTT Surges 50% On FTX Creditors’ Claims Settlement And Billions In Compensation: How High Can It Rise?

In a significant development, defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX has unveiled a reorganization plan to reimburse almost all of its customers. 

The announcement has sparked a substantial surge in the exchange’s native token, FTT, which recorded an uptrend of 52% over the past seven days, reaching a monthly high of $2.29 during Wednesday’s early trading session.

FTX Unveils Debt Repayment Strategy

FTX estimates its outstanding debts to creditors to be approximately $11.2 billion, as revealed in the reorganization plan published late Tuesday. The company has disclosed that it possesses between $14.5 billion and $16.3 billion, which it intends to distribute among the creditors.

Under the proposed plan, customers with $50,000 or less claims will receive approximately 118% of the allowed claim amount. This compensation is slated to be disbursed to around 98% of the creditors, relieving FTX customers who have experienced locked funds since the exchange filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2022. 

FTX stated in a press release on Wednesday that the company could not utilize the appreciation of the missing tokens during the Chapter 11 cases. Instead, FTX had to identify other recoverable sources of value to repay creditors. 

Following the departure of founder Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX appointed John Ray III as CEO. Ray, speaking on the matter in November 2022, expressed his astonishment at the “complete failure of corporate controls and such a complete absence of trustworthy financial information” witnessed at FTX. Ray further stated in the press release on Wednesday: 

We are pleased to be in a position to propose a Chapter 11 plan that contemplates the return of 100% of bankruptcy claim amounts plus interest for non-governmental creditors. 

FTX’s founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, faced legal consequences, being convicted on seven criminal counts, including charges related to embezzling billions of dollars from FTX’s customers. Bankman-Fried was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison.

FTT Bulls Eyeing $2.55 For Potential Breakout Continuation

As of the latest update, the price of FTT has corrected to $2.050 after reaching its monthly high. This breakout occurred after consolidation between the $1.17 and $1.48 levels.

At the current price level, FTT faces a significant resistance at $2.169, which has led to the ongoing correction. If FTT sustains its bullish momentum, the next resistance level to watch is $2.55 in the token’s daily chart. 

A successful breakthrough of this level could potentially lead to a retest of the $3 mark, which has not been revisited since January.

On the other hand, if the price experiences a further correction, FTT bulls should closely monitor the $1.95 and $1.765 levels, as they serve as crucial support levels. It is essential to prevent a loss of the gains achieved over the past month, which amounts to an 18% increase during this period.

FTX

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com

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FTX Co-Founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s Civil Liability Released In Settlement With Investors

According to a recent Bloomberg report, a group of investors and customers of cryptocurrency exchange FTX have agreed to drop their claims against co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried. 

In exchange, Bankman-Fried has agreed to cooperate with the plaintiffs in the ongoing lawsuits against other defendants related to the collapse of FTX.

Sam  Bankman-Fried And Insiders Settle

Per the report, if approved by a judge, this agreement would release Bankman-Fried from civil liability just weeks after being sentenced to 25 years in prison for fraud stemming from allegations of stealing billions of dollars from FTX. 

The settlement, filed in federal court in Miami, stipulates that the plaintiffs in the multi-district litigation will resolve all current and future claims against Bankman-Fried.

Other FTX insiders, including former executives Gary Wang, Caroline Ellison, and Nishad Singh, who testified against Bankman-Fried, were also sued by investors. However, they have agreed to settle and have already started providing information to support the plaintiff’s case, as stated in the court filing. 

Notably, this leaves the high-profile celebrities, sports stars, and social media influencers who promoted FTX to investors and customers as the remaining defendants.

As part of the settlement agreement, Bankman-Fried has committed to assisting the plaintiffs’ lawyers in pursuing the remaining FTX endorsers. Additionally, he will provide all nonprivileged documents related to his assets and his investment in artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic. 

Bankman-Fried will also submit an affidavit certifying his net worth as negative and share documents about other defendants involved in the expansive civil litigation.

The list of defendants in the consolidated FTX lawsuits is extensive, with financiers and celebrity endorsers such as Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, and Gisele Bundchen accused of promoting “unregistered securities” and luring investors into a Ponzi scheme. 

Bankman-Fried’s agreement includes providing any relevant information about venture capital firms that invested in FTX and accountants and lawyers who worked with the exchange.

If successful, the plaintiffs could potentially win substantial amounts in damages. According to court filings, the settlements with the promoters involved in the agreement are estimated to be valued at around $1.3 million.

FTX Scandal Update

Bankman-Fried’s spokesperson, Mark Botnick, stated that his client is determined to make amends. Botnick emphasized that since the collapse of FTX, Bankman-Fried has focused solely on returning the estate’s assets to customers and ensuring they are made whole at current prices. 

Botnick expressed Bankman-Fried’s commitment to continue working with Adam Moskowitz and his team, representing the plaintiffs, to achieve this goal.

In their request for the judge’s approval of the settlement, the plaintiffs’ attorneys acknowledged the uncertainty and litigation risks associated with pursuing Bankman-Fried. They concluded that Bankman-Fried’s cooperation would be “valuable” in the remaining legal proceedings.

Bankman-Fried, who was found guilty at trial late last year and sentenced in late March, is currently in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, before being transferred to the prison where he will serve his term. He intends to appeal both his sentence and conviction.

FTX

Featured image from Reuters, chart from TradingView.com

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FTX Estate Offloads $1.9 Billion Worth Of Locked Solana (SOL) Tokens In Sale

In a significant development, FTX bankruptcy trustees have reportedly sold about two-thirds of a $2.6 billion stash of Solana (SOL) at a “deeply discounted price.” 

Industry figures such as Galaxy Trading and Pantera Capital were among the investors involved in the deal, according to people familiar with the matter, as reported by Bloomberg.

SOL Tokens’ Four-Year Journey

Per the report, the FTX estate was able to sell between 25 million and 30 million locked-up Solana coins at $64 each, generating up to $1.9 billion in proceeds for the estate. 

Under Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital, Galaxy Trading managed to raise approximately $620 million for a fund established to purchase SOL from the FTX estate. According to the report, investors in the vehicle will be subject to a 1% management fee, and the investment will offer a yield through staking.

It is worth noting that the 41 million Solana tokens sold by the FTX estate are locked according to a pre-agreed vesting period, preventing them from being available for trading on the market. 

According to Bloomberg, these tokens will gradually become available for sale over the course of four years, which could significantly impact SOL’s price action. However, as the tokens remain locked, SOL’s 739% year-to-date (YTD) uptrend remains intact, and the possibility for further gains remains in the cards.

Solana Sale Garners Interest From Prominent Figures

FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, convicted of fraud and sentenced to 25 years in prison, was a major supporter of SOL. 

As previously reported, Bankman-Fried has actively engaged with guards at the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he is currently incarcerated. He offers investment advice and recommends SOL as a potential opportunity, demonstrating his bullish sentiment on the protocol. 

The token, which operates on the Solana blockchain, constituted a significant portion of the digital assets stranded on the collapsed exchange, creating shockwaves throughout the crypto markets. 

In addition to Galaxy Digital, Bloomberg notes that selling SOL tokens has attracted the attention of Pantera Capital. This $5.2 billion asset manager has reportedly raised capital for a special fund to acquire up to $250 million of SOL from the FTX estate. 

Vancouver-based Neptune Digital Assets Corp. also announced the purchase of 26,964 SOL tokens for $1.7 million on March 27. However, FTX creditors are concerned they will be under-compensated in the SOL sale process. 

Creditors Dispute FTX Bankruptcy Ruling

In January, the judge overseeing the bankruptcy case ruled that the amount of each claim should be based on what the customer or creditor was owed on the day FTX filed for bankruptcy. At that time, SOL was trading at about $16, well below its current market price.

As the price of SOL rallied in recent months, this discrepancy became a point of contention for some creditors. One creditor, Sunil Kavuri, expressed during Bankman-Fried’s final sentencing hearing that the SOL coins are “our property.” 

Another creditor, whose name was redacted in court documents, stated in a written statement that the FTX estate is “giving away money for free to hedge funds.” In a recent interview, Bankman-Fried claimed the following regarding clients’ growing concerns about underpayment: 

I’ve heard and seen the despair, frustration, and sense of betrayal from thousands of customers; they deserve to be paid in full, at current price. That could and should have happened in November 2022, and it could and should happen today. It’s excruciating to see them waiting, day after day. 

Solana

Currently, the price of SOL stands at $175, reflecting a decrease of up to 6.7% within the last 24 hours and over 7% over the past week.

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com 

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FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Breaks Silence, Announces Appeal For 25-Year Conviction

In a recent interview with ABC News, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the co-founder and former CEO of the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, spoke about his remorse and plans for an appeal following his recent 25-year prison sentence for fraud.

FTX Co-Founder Admits Errors

Bankman-Fried, currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, shared his reflections on the unfolding events. He admitted to making several “bad decisions” in 2022 that led to FTX’s insolvency.

Although he claimed he had never considered his actions illegal, Bankman-Fried acknowledged falling short of the “high ethical standard” he set for himself.

During the sentencing, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan accused Bankman-Fried of perjury and evasiveness during his testimony, criticizing his lack of remorse for the crimes committed. In response, Bankman-Fried affirmed his remorse and expressed empathy for the thousands of customers who suffered financial losses. SBF claimed the following:

I’m haunted, every day, by what was lost. I never intended to hurt anyone or take anyone’s money. But I was the CEO of FTX, I was responsible for what happened to the company, and when you’re responsible it doesn’t matter why it goes bad. I’d give anything to be able to help repair even part of the damage. I’m doing what I can from prison, but it’s deeply frustrating not to be able to do more

Bankman-Fried also acknowledged the impact on his co-workers, who reportedly dedicated their lives to FTX, and the charities he supported, whose funding was affected by the company’s collapse. 

The disgraced crypto mogul expressed deep regret for “throwing away” what they had worked hard for and expressed a desire to repair at least part of the damage caused. Despite his efforts from prison, Bankman-Fried admitted to feeling frustrated by the limitations on what he could do to rectify the situation.

In his statement to the court, Bankman-Fried contended that if he or another FTX employee had remained CEO, customers would have been paid back by now. He attributed the delay in compensation to the company’s decision not to restart the FTX exchange, which he believed could have created long-term value.

Sam Bankman-Fried Claims ‘Unfair’ Trial, Plans Appeal

During the interview, Bankman-Fried also raised concerns about the fairness of his trial, specifically calling out Sullivan & Cromwell, the law firm representing FTX’s new owners. 

SBF accused them of colluding with the prosecution and preventing him from accessing key FTX documents shared with the prosecution. Bankman-Fried claimed this had a “detrimental effect” on the entire trial, including media coverage and the defense’s ability to present evidence in his favor.

Responding to Bankman-Fried’s claims, a spokesperson for Sullivan & Cromwell referred to Judge Kaplan’s sentencing remarks, highlighting Bankman-Fried’s perjury on the witness stand and his strategy of blaming lawyers and the bankruptcy process instead of accepting responsibility for his crimes.

Looking ahead, Bankman-Fried revealed that his defense team plans to appeal the conviction later this year, primarily based on certain trial testimony that he felt greatly misrepresented the actual events. He also mentioned the importance of introducing “crucial evidence” and presenting key witnesses, which his defense was allegedly not allowed to do during the trial.

As Bankman-Fried begins his prison term, he acknowledges the gravity of the situation, having lost everything. While expressing a desire to make a positive difference in the world, he recognizes the limitations of his current circumstances and remains committed to seeking justice through appeals.

Sam Bankman-Fried

Featured image from BBC News, chart from TradingView.com

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Pantera Capital Plans $250M Solana (SOL) Buy, Analyst Predicts Record Rally Toward $1000

Pantera Capital, a prominent crypto-focused asset manager with assets totaling $5.2 billion, has launched a fundraising campaign to purchase discounted Solana (SOL) tokens from the bankrupt estate of crypto exchange FTX. 

According to Bloomberg, the initiative, known as the Pantera Solana Fund, offers investors the opportunity to purchase up to $250 million worth of SOL tokens at a significant discount to the FTX estate.

Solana Token Acquisition Plan

Pantera Capital’s marketing materials, shared with prospective investors in February and reviewed by Bloomberg, outline the opportunity to purchase SOL tokens at a price 39% below the 30-day average or at a fixed price of $59.95. 

However, Bloomberg notes that investors participating in this opportunity must agree to a vesting period of up to four years. This approach reportedly allows FTX liquidators, led by John J. Ray III, to offload SOL tokens gradually, freeing up funds for creditors without exerting immediate downward pressure on the token’s price.

According to Pantera’s pitch document, the FTX estate currently holds approximately 41.1 million SOL tokens, valued at $5.4 billion as of the close of Wednesday’s trading session. This constitutes roughly 10% of the total supply of SOL tokens. 

According to its investor pitch, Pantera aimed to close the fund by the end of February. Although the amount raised by the deadline remains undisclosed, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to Bloomberg that Pantera has secured some funds.

Investors interested in participating in the Pantera Solana Fund must commit a minimum of $25 million. Pantera Capital plans to charge a management fee of 0.75% and a performance cut of 10%.

Apart from its substantial SOL token holdings, FTX and its sister firm, Alameda Research, have invested significantly in startups within Solana’s broader ecosystem. 

According to Bloomberg, FTX’s venture arm, Solana Ventures, and Lightspeed Venture Partners jointly announced a $100 million blockchain gaming fund in November 2021.

Ultimately, the estate’s intention to sell these tokens presents an opportunity to raise funds to repay creditors, considering the notable surge of SOL’s price in the past year. SOL has experienced a staggering 650% increase, trading nearly four times its price when FTX faced its crisis in November 2022.

Crypto Analyst Forecasts SOL To Shatter Previous ATH

SOL, the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has continued its remarkable upward trajectory and is currently trading at $147.

The token’s price has increased significantly by 14% in the past 24 hours alone, and over the course of 30 days, it has soared by an impressive 56%. 

Despite this uptrend, SOL remains 43% below its previous all-time high (ATH) of $259, achieved in November 2021. However, crypto analyst Altcoin Sherpa believes that SOL will break its previous ATH during this market cycle, with the only uncertainty being the size of the break.

Altcoin Sherpa suggests that reaching $500 is highly probable, and an even more astonishing milestone like $1000 is not entirely out of the question. The analyst further emphasizes its confidence in SOL’s potential, stating that it remains one of their more substantial investments. Altcoin Sherpa also highlights the next significant level to watch for SOL, which is $170.

Solana

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com 

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FTX And IRS Lock Horns Over $24 Billion Tax Bill, FTT’s Key Support Wavers

In a striking turn of events, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States has presented a staggering tax bill of $24 billion against the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX. 

FTX Challenges IRS’s $24 Billion Tax Bill

According to court filings and FTX’s response to the IRS’s claims, several key arguments challenge the basis of the tax bill. Firstly, FTX highlights that its operations spanned three years, never distributing dividends or earnings. 

Secondly, the exchange’s defense attorneys claim that the company incurred substantial losses rather than generating income that could support the IRS’s “exorbitant” tax claim. 

Thirdly, the lawyers argue that FTX is currently in liquidation and is not engaged in any ongoing business activities apart from those required for the liquidation process. 

Finally, the company emphasizes that the recovery sought by the IRS would ultimately come at the expense of FTX’s victims, as the funds would be redirected away from their rightful recipients. 

As the court hearing approaches, FTX asserts that proceeding with a court-supervised estimation process would demonstrate the company’s significant losses during its operational period, rendering the IRS’s claim “baseless.” 

FTX emphasizes that any forced payment would harm the victims of the FTX fraud, many of whom are already grappling with “profound losses.”

FTX’s administrators have managed to recover approximately $7 billion in assets, including $3.4 billion in cryptocurrencies. These figures underscore the complex financial landscape surrounding the IRS’s claim against FTX.

As the courtroom showdown ensues, the case outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of crypto taxation and the recovery prospects of FTX’s creditors. 

FTT’s Bullish Trend Holds Strong

As the cryptocurrency market experiences a significant correction following a bullish surge led by Bitcoin (BTC), FTX’s native token, FTT, has seen a decline of over 5% in the past 24 hours, adding to the company’s legal concerns.

After a three-month accumulation phase that kept FTT trading in a range between $0.9 and $1.2 from September to the beginning of November, the token witnessed an impressive surge in the last month, reaching its highest price of the year at $6.042, a level not seen since November 2022.

FTX

However, the token has retraced to its current price mark of $4.8, with the next support level at $4.45 in case of further downward movement.

On a positive note, FTT is trading above key moving averages, including the 200-day and 50-day MA, which provide support and indicate the potential for further upward price action.

Furthermore, since the beginning of November, FTT has consistently recorded higher highs and higher lows, forming an uptrend pattern. This trend has been observed three times, with the token experiencing an uptrend, followed by a pullback for a support test, and then a continuation to reach new highs.

Assuming this trend continues and the legal developments do not have a significant impact on the price of the token, FTT may be poised for a significant rise in the coming months, given the remarkable uptrend pattern seen on the daily chart.

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com 

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Disgraced FTX Co-Founder Placed On Suicide Watch In Prison, Reveals Former Inmate

Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder of the FTX crypto exchange, who was recently found guilty of multiple counts of criminal fraud, reportedly faced a harrowing experience while incarcerated. 

According to a former mobster turned federal informant, Gene Borrello, who shared a prison cell with Bankman-Fried, the disgraced crypto executive was placed on suicide watch and endured challenging conditions during his time at Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) while awaiting sentencing next year.

FTX Co-Founder Subjected To Extortion

The details emerged during an interview with crypto blogger Tiffany Fong, where Borrello disclosed the troubling circumstances surrounding Bankman-Fried’s imprisonment. 

The former detainee recounted how Bankman-Fried was subjected to suicide watch, extortion attempts, and even periods of self-neglect, including refusing to eat or shower for several days.

In an attempt to protect Bankman-Fried from potential harassment or extortion, authorities segregated him from gang members within the prison facility. However, despite these precautions, Borrello’s intervention reportedly foiled an extortion plot against the crypto mogul.

Borrello further revealed that he prevented the extortionists from coercing Bankman-Fried into sharing a bunk with them, placing the FTX co-founder in a solitary wing. Additionally, Bankman-Fried’s parents reportedly requested his transfer to the solitary unit to ensure his safety.

Drastic Change In Prison?

Describing the physical and emotional toll on Bankman-Fried, Borrello highlighted the crypto executive’s frail appearance, likening it to that of an elderly man. Borrello stated on the matter:

He has the body of an 80-year-old man. He has, like, no shape to him. When he talks to you, he puts his head down; he’s very timid, he talks very nervously. 

Borrello also noted Bankman-Fried’s timid demeanor, with the co-founder displaying signs of nervousness during interactions. 

In one conversation, Borrello confronted Bankman-Fried, stating that he had never been in a physical altercation before and questioned his association with gang members.

As reported by our sister site, Bitcoinist, Bankman-Fried received unique treatment in prison, where he allegedly received special privileges for sharing cryptocurrency-related information with prison guards and fellow inmates.

However, Borrello’s account offers a contrasting perspective, emphasizing the challenges and vulnerabilities the disgraced executive faced behind bars.

As Bankman-Fried’s sentencing approaches, his time in prison, including allegations of bullying and the ultimate impact on his legal proceedings, continues to draw attention. 

The revelations from Borrello’s interview provide a rare glimpse into the world of the disgraced FTX co-founder, and it remains to be seen what other revelations may be made in prison for Bankman-Fried as his sentencing trial looms in 2024.

FTX

At present, the native token of FTX, FTT, is trading at $4.0997, indicating a decrease of 2.8% in the past 24 hours. However, it is noteworthy that the token has experienced a substantial surge of 216% year to date.

Featured image from Shutterstock, a chart from TradingView.com 

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Binance Compliance Officer Under Scrutiny For FTX, Gemini, And Sex Trafficker Associations

In a recent investigative report by the media outlet Unlimited Hangout, serious allegations were made against Noah Perlman, the chief compliance officer of Binance. 

The report highlights Perlman’s alleged ties to the collapse of FTX, the troubled Gemini exchange owned by the Winklevoss twins, and even convicted and deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

If the allegations made by the media outlet prove true, and Perlman is investigated by US authorities, Binance could find itself embroiled in another executive scandal following the departure of former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ).

Associations With Epstein And Alleged Fraud 

Unlimited Hangout alleges that Perlman’s father, Itzhak Perlman, a renowned violinist, had flown on multiple occasions on a plane owned by Jeffrey Epstein. Itzhak Perlman also reportedly accompanied Epstein to Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts, where Epstein later built a lodge for him, which was later described as a “lair to target girls.” 

While Noah Perlman served as a federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice’s Special Coordinator for Crimes against Children, these family connections to Epstein raise questions about his associations.

After leaving the Department of Justice, Perlman joined Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange owned by the Winklevoss Twins, as the chief compliance officer. Although Perlman had left Gemini months before the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the exchange, he had been allegedly “heavily involved” in Gemini’s Earn program, which became the focus of the alleged $1.1 billion fraud. 

As reported by NewsBTC, the lawsuit alleges that certain individuals knew that the program’s partner, Genesis, was financially unstable and withdrew their funds before its collapse.

Per the report, Perlman held the position of chief operating officer at the time, raising suspicions about his role in the alleged misconduct.

Troubled Bank’s Links To Binance Officer And FTX

Perlman’s involvement with Farmington State Bank, later renamed Moonstone, adds another layer of complexity to the alleged wrongdoing cited by Unlimited Hangout.

According to the report, in 2019, Perlman was listed as a director of FBH Corp., the entity that took over the rural bank. Moonstone Bank later garnered attention when Alameda Research, linked to FTX, acquired an $11.5 million stake. 

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former chief of FTX, also reportedly invested $50 million in the bank. However, Moonstone Bank faced regulatory challenges, with the Federal Reserve initiating an enforcement action against it shortly before the Bank of Eastern Oregon acquired its deposits and assets.

Overall, Perlman is at the center of serious allegations concerning his alleged connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the failed Earn program at Gemini, and Moonstone Bank. 

However, it is important to note that these allegations have not been substantiated by any investigations or official connections made by US authorities or other global agencies. 

The claims and allegations put forth by media news outlets require further response from Binance’s executives and investigation by relevant authorities.

There has been no official statement from Perlman regarding these allegations. It remains to be seen how the exchange and Perlman himself will address these claims and provide clarity on the matter.

Binance

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com 

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From Crypto To Catch: Disgraced FTX Founder Turns To Trading Fish In Prison

According to a report by Business Insider, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), co-founder and former CEO of FTX, has adapted to the economic system of New York’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), where he is currently awaiting sentencing on multiple felony counts. 

The disgraced crypto-billionaire has reportedly been bartering, using food as currency in exchange for various services within the prison.

Former FTX CEO SBF Trades Fish For Services

Per the report, mackerel, a fish commonly referred to as “macks” among inmates, emerged as the currency of choice in federal prisons after cigarettes were banned. The fish’s popularity stems from its stability and value within the prison economy. 

Formerly incarcerated individuals like attorney Larry Levin have accepted mackerel as payment from fellow prisoners, using it to acquire services such as beard trims and shoe shines. 

The demand for mackerel became so significant that suppliers, including Global Source Marketing, witnessed increased sales, according to Business Insider.

In a prison environment where inmates lack access to traditional or digital currency, products with steady value, such as certain food items and stamps, serve as substitutes for money. 

Mackerel and other stable commodities like tuna become a means of exchange, with their value pegged to the dollar. This economic logic allows inmates to engage in various transactions while maintaining a semblance of a barter system.

The use of fish as a medium of exchange in federal prisons has been widespread since 2004, following the cigarette ban. 

Sam Bankman-Fried faces sentencing on March 28, 2024, for charges that include wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a potential prison term of up to 110 years. Additionally, SBF is set to stand trial for separate counts related to political bribery.

 FTT Surges with Impressive Gains

FTT, the native token of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has seen a remarkable surge in value in recent weeks. With substantial gains across various timeframes and an impressive market capitalization of 1.5 billion, FTT has cemented its position among the top 50 tokens in the crypto market. 

Over the past 24 hours, FTT has experienced a significant increase of 21%, showcasing the token’s upward momentum. This short-term surge is complemented by a strong performance over the past week, with a notable rise of 26%. 

FTX

However, the real standout lies in FTT’s gains over the past 14 and 30 days. Within the last two weeks, FTT has skyrocketed by an impressive 100%, while the 30-day timeframe has seen an astounding surge of 315%. 

These gains highlight the growing demand and investor interest in FTT as rumors of a possible reboot of the exchange circulate within the crypto community.

Featured image from Bloomberg, chart from TradingView.com 

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FTX Transfers $150M In Assets, Including Ethereum And Solana, Amid Bankruptcy

Blockchain analytics firm Nansen has recently revealed that wallets associated with bankrupt crypto exchange FTX have transferred approximately $156 million worth of digital assets, including Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), in a series of transactions over the past week. 

The movement of these funds has raised concerns and attracted the attention of industry experts and investors. Nansen’s report sheds light on the ongoing transfers and provides valuable insights into the extent of FTX’s asset movements.

Bankrupt FTX Wallets Unstake $57 Million Worth Of SOL Tokens

According to the Nansen report, funds from FTX wallets have continued to migrate to various exchanges since the previous update. The report specifies the following notable transactions:

  • 695,000 Perpetual Protocol (PERP) tokens worth $423,000
  • 767,000 Biconomy (BICO) tokens worth $182,000
  • 833,000 Kyber Network (KNC) tokens worth $616,000
  • 108 million TrueFI (TRU) tokens worth $420,000
  • 138,000 Band (BAND) tokens worth $221,000
  • 2.5 million Graph (GRT) tokens worth $273,000
  • 845 Maker (MKR) tokens worth $1.17 million
  • 7.16 million Render (RNDR) tokens worth $17.8 million
  • 10.5 million USD Coin (USDC)
  • 23,000 Polygon (MATIC) tokens worth $15,000
  • 9.5 million Ren (REN) tokens worth $500,000
  • 1.1 million ETH tokens worth $2 million

Additionally, the report highlights that an additional 1.6 million SOL tokens worth $57.6 million have initiated the unstaking process. While these funds have not yet left the associated wallet, their potential movement would bring the total SOL tokens moved by FTX to just under $90 million. 

Moreover, considering the unstaking of SOL and the new assets transferred by FTX to Coinbase and Binance, the total value of funds moved by FTX now stands at $156 million.

Major Transfers Of LINK, AAVE, And MKR Unveiled

Nansen’s previous investigation revealed significant transfers from wallets linked to FTX and Alameda Research, FTX’s trading arm.

These funds were initially withdrawn from FTX and Alameda wallets before being sent to intermediary wallets and eventually deposited into Binance and Coinbase. The report discloses the following noteworthy movements:

  • 2.2 million USD worth of Chainlink (LINK) tokens
  • 1 million USD worth of Aave (AAVE) tokens
  • 2 million USD worth of MKR tokens
  • 3.4 million USD worth of ETH tokens

In addition to these transfers, Nansen discovered that 943,000 SOL tokens, equivalent to approximately $32 million, were moved from the FTX Cold Storage wallet.

Overall, the recent findings by Nansen regarding the movement of funds from wallets associated with the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX have sparked concerns within the cryptocurrency community. 

The report highlights substantial transfers of various digital assets, including ETH and SOL, and provides insight into the scale of FTX’s asset movements. 

FTX

As of the current market conditions, FTX’s native token, FTT, is trading at $1.23. Despite a false breakout on October 23, where the token briefly surpassed $1,360, it has since declined consistently. 

However, over the past 30 days, FTT has maintained a profit margin of 3.7%, signifying relative stability within this time frame.

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com 

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FTX Transfers $150M In Assets, Including Ethereum And Solana, Amid Bankruptcy

Blockchain analytics firm Nansen has recently revealed that wallets associated with bankrupt crypto exchange FTX have transferred approximately $156 million worth of digital assets, including Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), in a series of transactions over the past week. 

The movement of these funds has raised concerns and attracted the attention of industry experts and investors. Nansen’s report sheds light on the ongoing transfers and provides valuable insights into the extent of FTX’s asset movements.

Bankrupt FTX Wallets Unstake $57 Million Worth Of SOL Tokens

According to the Nansen report, funds from FTX wallets have continued to migrate to various exchanges since the previous update. The report specifies the following notable transactions:

  • 695,000 Perpetual Protocol (PERP) tokens worth $423,000
  • 767,000 Biconomy (BICO) tokens worth $182,000
  • 833,000 Kyber Network (KNC) tokens worth $616,000
  • 108 million TrueFI (TRU) tokens worth $420,000
  • 138,000 Band (BAND) tokens worth $221,000
  • 2.5 million Graph (GRT) tokens worth $273,000
  • 845 Maker (MKR) tokens worth $1.17 million
  • 7.16 million Render (RNDR) tokens worth $17.8 million
  • 10.5 million USD Coin (USDC)
  • 23,000 Polygon (MATIC) tokens worth $15,000
  • 9.5 million Ren (REN) tokens worth $500,000
  • 1.1 million ETH tokens worth $2 million

Additionally, the report highlights that an additional 1.6 million SOL tokens worth $57.6 million have initiated the unstaking process. While these funds have not yet left the associated wallet, their potential movement would bring the total SOL tokens moved by FTX to just under $90 million. 

Moreover, considering the unstaking of SOL and the new assets transferred by FTX to Coinbase and Binance, the total value of funds moved by FTX now stands at $156 million.

Major Transfers Of LINK, AAVE, And MKR Unveiled

Nansen’s previous investigation revealed significant transfers from wallets linked to FTX and Alameda Research, FTX’s trading arm.

These funds were initially withdrawn from FTX and Alameda wallets before being sent to intermediary wallets and eventually deposited into Binance and Coinbase. The report discloses the following noteworthy movements:

  • 2.2 million USD worth of Chainlink (LINK) tokens
  • 1 million USD worth of Aave (AAVE) tokens
  • 2 million USD worth of MKR tokens
  • 3.4 million USD worth of ETH tokens

In addition to these transfers, Nansen discovered that 943,000 SOL tokens, equivalent to approximately $32 million, were moved from the FTX Cold Storage wallet.

Overall, the recent findings by Nansen regarding the movement of funds from wallets associated with the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX have sparked concerns within the cryptocurrency community. 

The report highlights substantial transfers of various digital assets, including ETH and SOL, and provides insight into the scale of FTX’s asset movements. 

FTX

As of the current market conditions, FTX’s native token, FTT, is trading at $1.23. Despite a false breakout on October 23, where the token briefly surpassed $1,360, it has since declined consistently. 

However, over the past 30 days, FTT has maintained a profit margin of 3.7%, signifying relative stability within this time frame.

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com 

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FTX Ramps Up Restitution Efforts, Subpoenas AI Firm CAIS Over $6.5M Investment

Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, led by newly appointed CEO John Ray III, has embarked on an intensive legal campaign to regain control and recover assets in its pursuit of financial restitution. 

As founder Sam Bankman-Fried awaits possible conviction and faces a staggering 114 years in prison if found guilty, FTX’s asset recovery plan continues under Ray’s leadership. 

FTX Bankruptcy Battle Escalates

In a recent filing with the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, FTX issued a subpoena to the artificial intelligence (AI) firm Center for AI Safety (CAIS), demanding accounting records and information regarding payments, agreements, and contracts related to the $6.5 million investment.

The motion, filed on behalf of the debtors who sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 11 and November 14, 2022, states that the Debtors are operating their businesses and managing their properties as debtors-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code. 

It also highlights the appointment of an Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors by the US Trustee. FTX’s investigations have revealed that CAIS received transfers totaling at least $6.5 million in debtors’ funds between May and September 2022. 

As part of their ongoing efforts to understand the debtors’ financial landscape, transactions, and estate, FTX has requested CAIS to produce relevant documents and information related to payments, agreements, communications, and other pertinent details.

Debtors Seek Answers

According to the motion filed on October 25, despite the debtors’ attempts to engage in a cooperative dialogue and resolve the matter amicably, CAIS has rejected voluntary requests for accounting and failed to respond to formal correspondence. The filing reads: 

The Debtors have attempted to engage in a cooperative meet and confer process to obtain information from the CAIS voluntarily. The Debtors have so far been unsuccessful. On a phone call on August 22, 2023, counsel for CAIS expressed unwillingness to make its records related to the transfers available to the Debtors. In emails between October 2-6, 2023, Debtors requested information concerning the amount of Debtor funds CAIS has spent, the amount of Debtor funds it has retained, and its financial condition. CAIS declined to provide that information. 

The motion concludes by stating that notice of this action has been provided to relevant parties, including the US Trustee, the Committee’s counsel, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the US Department of Justice, the US Attorney for the District of Delaware, and CAIS itself.

FTX

FTX’s native token, FTT, is trading at $1.22, marking a return to the $1 level for the first time since November 2022. Although it has experienced a decline of over 5% in the past 24 hours, the token has exhibited noteworthy gains over the past seven days, amounting to a 17% upward trend. 

The token’s value has diminished by more than 95% when considering the one-year timeframe.

Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com 

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BlockFi CEO’s Key Testimony: Insights Into Alameda’s Financial Stability In FTX Trial

The trial against FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried took an intriguing turn as Zac Prince, the CEO of defunct crypto lender BlockFi, provided testimony in a Manhattan federal courtroom. 

Prince’s appearance provided valuable insights into the intricate relationship between BlockFi, FTX, and Alameda Research.

BlockFi’s Bankruptcy Rooted In Alameda And FTX

According to a Bloomberg report, Prince revealed that BlockFi had substantial exposure to Alameda and FTX, estimated at around $1 billion, at the time of BlockFi’s failure in November 2022. 

Prince asserted that if the loans to Alameda were still in good standing and the funds on FTX were available, BlockFi would not have filed for bankruptcy. This statement suggests that BlockFi’s financial troubles were closely tied to the collapse of Alameda and FTX.

Prince’s testimony diverged significantly from Caroline Ellison, the government’s star witness, who portrayed Bankman-Fried as the mastermind behind a fraudulent scheme using FTX customer funds for speculative trading at Alameda. 

Prince’s account positioned BlockFi as a victim of Bankman-Fried’s alleged schemes, claiming that BlockFi made loans to Alameda based on misleading balance sheets. 

Defense lawyers sought to emphasize that BlockFi willingly provided the loans to Alameda, with knowledge of the associated risks.

Creditors Accuse BlockFi Of Inadequate Due Diligence

Prince discussed BlockFi’s due diligence process regarding Alameda’s collateral, comprised of tokens affiliated with FTX. The judge requested plainer terms during Prince’s explanation, prompting an analogy using car loans. 

Per the report, the prosecution questioned the adequacy of BlockFi’s due diligence, as creditors accused the company of failing to recognize warning signs before offering substantial loans to Alameda.

Prince’s testimony highlighted that providing “unaudited balance sheets” is an industry norm for borrowers seeking loans. The defense sought to establish that BlockFi knew the risks of lending to Alameda and acted within industry norms.

Zac Prince’s testimony in the trial against Sam Bankman-Fried provided a deeper understanding of the intertwined relationships within the crypto industry. BlockFi’s exposure to Alameda and FTX and its subsequent bankruptcy offered insights into the potential repercussions of alleged fraudulent activities. 

The differing narratives presented by the prosecution and defense underscore the complexities of the case. As the trial unfolds, the court will continue to examine the details surrounding BlockFi’s lending practices and the extent of Bankman-Fried’s involvement in the alleged schemes.

It is important to note that BlockFi can no longer be utilized for crypto-related activities, as the company declared bankruptcy and suspended withdrawals in November 2022. The bankruptcy filing indicates that BlockFi owes between $1 billion and $10 billion to over 100,000 creditors.

FTX

Featured image from NBC, chart from TradingView.com

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Bankrupt FTX Exchange Turns Its Attention To Employees, Here’s How Much It Wants

It’s been almost a year since the collapse of FTX, but the failed crypto exchange continues to be surrounded by drama. In a flurry of moves to claw back funds for investors, FTX lawyers are now going after employees of Salameda Ltd. 

According to court filings, the employees of Salameda – a Hong Kong-incorporated entity allegedly controlled by former FTX CEO Bankman-Fried, named as defendants were prioritized over other customers as many raced to withdraw their assets from the exchange before its imminent crash on November 11, 2022. 

FTX Wants $150 Million Back

The filing alleges Michael Burgess, Matthew Burgess, Kevin Nguyen, and Darren Wong, all former employees of Salameda, fraudulently withdrew assets in their FTX accounts just hours before bankruptcy. Court filings suggest that while the defendants worked for Salameda, they were effectively employees of the FTX Group, as they worked in senior-level roles at FTX Group companies. 

Before its imminent crash, FTX had been under public scrutiny as many investors had concerns about the exchange’s liquidity and solvency. This prompted many FTX.com and FTX US customers to make withdrawal requests leading up to billions of dollars. 

As the backlog grew, many had to wait for days for their withdrawals to be processed, with some not receiving their money before the exchange filed for bankruptcy. However, court documents show that the defendants received the benefit of withdrawals ahead of other customers due to their connections to FTX Group executives. 

Personal messages show one of the defendants, Matthew Burgess, urging other employees to expedite a pending withdrawal request for $73 million from one of Michael Burgess’s accounts on the exchange.

The defendants were able to withdraw $157.3 million based on pricing as of August 31, 2023, with the majority of those coming withdrawn on or after November 7, 2022. FTX attorneys are now demanding the full amount be returned, arguing that the funds were improperly transferred to the defendants without the required procedures being followed.

Trying To Recover

Since filing for bankruptcy in November 2022, FTX has filed several lawsuits hoping to claw back money to pay some of its investors and customers. The exchange’s attorneys filed a similar case in July, as it went after executives of its European subsidiary in a bid to recover $323 million. 

Lawyers recently went after Sam Bankman-Fried’s parents, accusing them of misappropriating funds from the exchange while it was still in operation. However, the parents, both law professors at Stanford Law School, dismissed the claims as completely false. Sam Bankman-Fried is set to be tried in court starting on October 3 for eight charges brought against him. 

FTX FTT Token price chart from Tradingview.com (Employees)

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FTX Unveils $3.4B Crypto Holdings: $1.16B Solana, $560M Bitcoin – Is Trouble On The Horizon?

In a recent Monday court filing, it was disclosed that the estate of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX has amassed approximately $7 billion in assets (3.4B in crypto), including $1.16 billion worth of Solana (SOL) tokens and $560 million in Bitcoin (BTC). 

The news sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency market, with SOL and BTC experiencing negative price movements.

SOL And BTC Experience Declines As FTX Prepares For Liquidation

Solana (SOL), trading around the $20 level on Sunday, witnessed a significant decline in response to the news. Its price plummeted to its current level of $17.83. Bitcoin (BTC) also retraced by over 2.7% in the past hours, reaching as low as $24,9000.

FTX

In addition to SOL and BTC, the court filing revealed other significant holdings of the FTX estate. These include Ethereum (ETH), valued at $192 million, Aptos (APT) at $137 million, Tether’s stablecoin (USDT) at $120 million, and XRP at $119 million, among others such as wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) and wrapped Ethereum (WETH), Bit (BIT), and Stargate Finance (STG).

FTX

The court filing further highlighted that the FTX estate had secured cash throughout the Chapter 11 process, employing a post-petition cash management system. The Debtors “successfully” navigated the Q1 2023 financial banking turmoil and obtained fiat from more than 30 banking institutions worldwide. 

Cash has been consolidated and safeguarded within a Master account, with unrestricted cash increasing primarily through venture investment monetization and stablecoin conversions.

This Wednesday, the FTX estate is expected to seek approval to liquidate approximately $3.4 billion of cryptocurrencies. This step marks a significant milestone in the bankruptcy proceedings.

Options For Relaunch?

On September 11, Fortune Magazine reported that the FTX estate had approached over 75 potential bidders, evaluating the possibility of relaunching the bankrupt crypto exchange. 

The stakeholders were given a deadline of September 24 to submit their proposals for “FTX 2.0.” The process considers various potential structures, including acquisition, merger, recapitalization, or other transactions to relaunch FTX.com and/or FTX US exchanges.

While the specific identities of the bidders remain undisclosed, blockchain technology company Figure and venture capital firm Tribe Capital have been previously mentioned as potential suitors for the relaunch. 

The exploration of FTX’s relaunch represents a key development in the effort to sell off, rebrand, or restart the exchange, which has been at the center of a high-profile white-collar criminal case.

FTX’s native token, FTT, has experienced positive price movement on news of the potential launch of FTX 2.0. On Monday, it traded nearly 17% higher than at the beginning of the year, reflecting market optimism surrounding the prospect of a relaunch.

As the bankruptcy proceedings unfold and the FTX estate moves towards liquidation, the crypto industry will closely monitor the impact on the market and the resolution of outstanding debts. 

The search for bidders to revive the exchange introduces an additional layer of complexity to this evolving situation, with potential implications for the future of FTX and its stakeholders.

Overall, the bankruptcy of the failed crypto exchange has revealed substantial asset holdings of $7 billion, including significant amounts of Solana (SOL) and Bitcoin (BTC). The subsequent market reactions and the quest for bidders to relaunch the exchange have brought further uncertainty to the crypto landscape. 

The outcome of the bankruptcy proceedings and the relaunch efforts will shape the future trajectory of FTX and its position within the industry.

FTX

Featured image from iStock, charts from TradingView.com