Crypto Guides, Knowledge & Insights

Crypto Bankruptcy Proceedings Highlight Regulatory Shortcomings

Celsius, BlockFi, Voyager, and, most recently, FTX — along with its roughly 100 related companies – all used the Chapter 11 provision of the US bankruptcy code in 2022 to reorganize their ailing business lines. Meanwhile, Three Arrows Capital filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in order to deal with insolvency and creditors on a global scale.　　According to Joe Acosta, a partner at the law firm Dorsey s an investment, a currency, a digital asset, or something else,” Acosta said.　　Not only is the outcome of the individual cases important, but so is the possibility of precedent-setting judgments that might create a legal and regulatory framework for the sector as a whole. There have already been prominent examples, according to Acosta.　　Celsius, previously one of cryptos most renowned lenders, declared bankruptcy in July 2022 after suspending withdrawals the previous month due to “extreme market conditions.” The presiding judge determined earlier this month that tokens put in interest-bearing accounts belong to Celsius, not the clients. According to Acosta, it might pave the way for future token classification and ownership regulations.　　“[Celsius bankruptcy] Judge [Martin] Glenn found that crypto is not a currency — by the standard definition — because it is not a medium of

2023-01-20Deep Dive

Due to the Genesis Crisis, DCG halts its quarterly dividends.

After being impacted by the collapse of FTX, DCGs subsidiary faced a second round of layoffs. Digital Currency Group (DCG), a crypto conglomerate owned by Barry Silbert, announced that it would stop paying quarterly dividends until further notice.　　The cryptocurrency investment company stated in an email to shareholders that it is now focusing on “cutting operating expenses and conserving liquidity” in reaction to the current market climate. The communication was obtained by Bloomberg.　　　　Problems with DCG　　Barry Silberts empire was significantly compromised by the FTX crash, with DCG coming under close examination. The venture capital business owns a number of companies, including consultancy firm Foundry, institutional loan company Genesis, and Grayscale, the biggest online asset manager in the world.　　Genesis was compelled to halt new loan originations and redemptions as a result of its financial predicament, which had an immediate impact on the Gemini Earn program. As a result, the conflict with the co-founder of the cryptocurrency exchange, Cameron Winklevoss, intensified. Winklevoss accused DCG of accounting fraud and deception and demanded Silbert resign.　　According to earlier reports, Gemini Earn customers who invested in Genesis high-yield savings program owe the company $900 million. Investors were originally reassured by DCG and Gemini that the two businesses were

2023-01-19Deep Dive

The Next Bankruptcy Domino May Be Genesis

Genesis, which halted customer withdrawals two months ago, has become the latest crypto industry participant to declare bankruptcy.　　Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the business held secret talks with various creditor groups. The loan division has been languishing since the collapse of FTX, where it had $175 million in locked funds, and had told potential investors that it would go bankrupt if it couldnt secure new cash.　　Genesis was “at all costs” attempting to avoid insolvency, which they defined as “admirable but pricey.”　　Genesis parent business, Digital Currency Group, was recently accused by Gemini of making false promises concerning Genesis solvency. Cameron Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, has asked DCGs board to remove CEO Barry Silbert, claiming he deceived Gemini and prevented its consumers from accessing $900 million held in a Genesis-related product.　　However, Silbert refuted this assertion, claiming that DCG owed Genesis $447.5 million in addition to $78 million of bitcoin maturing in May of this year. Genesis is also owing another $1.1 billion promissory note, which matures in 2032, he claimed.　　He further stated that DCG has not borrowed funds from Genesis since May 2022 and is current on all existing debts.　　Nonetheless, DCG reportedly warned shareholders this week that dividends will be suspended in

2023-01-19Deep Dive

Binance named among Bitzlato top 3 receiving counterparty

According to a US Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network order, Binance is one of Bitzlatos top three receiving counterparties (FinCEN).　　On January 18, US officials filed enforcement measures against the little-known exchange, accusing it of assisting the laundering of $700 million. Anatoly Legkodymov, the exchanges Russian creator, was apprehended in Miami.　　According to the FinCEN ruling, about two-thirds of Bitzlatos top receiving and sending counterparties were linked with darknet markets or frauds. The authorities noted that, in addition to Binance, Bitzlatos top receiving counterparties included Russias darknet Hydra and Ponzi scheme “TheFiniko.”　　Meanwhile, a Binance representative stated:　　“Binance is glad to have offered significant assistance to international law enforcement partners in support of this investigation. This reflects Binances commitment to collaborating with law enforcement partners around the world.”　　FinCEN stated in its decision that all covered financial institutions are prohibited from sending funds involving Bitzlato.　　The transaction was determined to be a “major money laundering risk in connection with illicit Russian finance,” according to the police.　　The order takes effect on February 1.　　As a reminder, WikiBit is ready to help you search the qualifications and reputation of projects in a bid to protect you from hidden dangers in this risky industry!

2023-01-19Deep Dive

OKX releases a proof-of-reserves report that reveals $7.5 billion in "clean assets."

According to a proof of reserves released by the exchange on Thursday, OKX has $7.5 billion in reserves, none of which include its native cryptocurrency. Although this is OKXs third proof of reserves, it is the first to display the precise split of holdings.　　The research reveals that the exchange has an excessive reserve ratio, with 105% reserves for bitcoin (BTC), 105% reserves for ether (ETH), and 101% reserves for USDT.　　　　In reaction to CryptoQuant creating a metric to gauge the “cleanliness” of reserves, OKX has decided to disclose the precise asset composition. This is referred to by CryptoQuant as an exchanges reliance on its own native cryptocurrency. According to CryptoQuants data, OKXs reserves are entirely clean. While Huobi is 60% clean, Binance is 87% clean, Bitfinex is 70% clean, and so on.　　“I personally think everyone will learn a ton over the next six months to a year. We will all stress test each others proof of reserves, hopefully in a constructive way,” According to a discussion with CoinDesk with OKXs Chief Marketing Officer, Haider Rafique. “We are all going to learn from each other and ask the hard questions - hopefully most venues have good intentions.”　　Rafique claims that OKX intends to

2023-01-19Deep Dive

As per reports, Genesis could declare bankruptcy as early as this week.

Genesis Global Capital, a cryptocurrency lender, is getting ready in case it decides to seek bankruptcy proceedings, according to a Wednesday report from Bloomberg.　　According to the article, which relied on sources with knowledge of the situation, a filing may occur as soon as this week. As it struggles with a cash constraint, the division of crypto behemoth Digital Currency Group, or DCG, has been in private discussions with creditor organizations. Plans may alter as a result of ongoing negotiations with creditors, according to the article.　　　　The Financial Times said last week that Genesis has its creditors more than $3 billion. As FTX and Three Arrows Capital, Sam Bankman-bitcoin Frieds exchange and hedge fund, failed, DCG has been attempting to fix its financial issues. The FT had previously disclosed that DCG might generate money by selling investments in its startup portfolio.　　Following the collapse of FTX, Genesis stopped redemptions in November and stated at the time that bankruptcy was a possibility unless new capital could be raised.　　Its lending partnership Gemini, a cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has been affected by the instability at Genesis.　　Due to the more than $900 million in client assets still in Genesis, Gemini was forced to

2023-01-19Deep Dive

Blur, SudoSwap, and Other Marketplaces in Sewer Pass Mint are Blacklisted by Yuga Labs

In its most recent NFT drop, Sewer Pass, Yuga Labs blacklisted at least four markets that dont require NFT fees.　　Simon Cousaert, Director of Data at The Block Research, claims that Sewer Pass has code that prevents NFT transfers from purses owned by Blur, SudoSwap, LooksRare, and NFTX. NFTX, SudoSwap, and LooksRare all have optional royalty systems, whereas Blur and NFTX choose not to.　　　　This action is the most recent shot in the ongoing conflict over NFT royalties. Yuga Labs joins other NFT creators in prohibiting royalty-evading venues from doing business with their NFTs by adding those marketplaces to a blacklist.　　A second NFT market with optional fees, X2Y2, was prohibited by QQL in September from handling the QQL Mint Pass NFT drop. “When someone else can select where you will move your NFT, you are not the true owners anymore,” X2Y2 said in response to the blacklisting.　　One hour after its inception, Sewer Pass generated $1.3 million in trading volume, and just four hours later, it had gathered approximately $5 million in ETH.　　What is Yuga Lab？　　Greg Solano and Wylie Aronow, two friends, are the creators of Yuga Labs. The dynamic team agreed to conceal their identities until early this year, as per BuzzFeed

2023-01-19Deep Dive

Many cryptocurrency players, according to Binance CEO, "get distracted" by Money.

Instead of going off on a tangent by the money in the sector, concentrate on the foundations of cryptocurrency tech and developing into a trustworthy player in finance, advised Binance founder and CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao while having tea at the World Economic Forum in Davos.　　　　“When the tide recedes, all the hype goes away and it‘s the fundamentals that matter,” the CEO mentioned, “In our industry, we’re so close to the money … so many people get distracted by that and thats all they focus on,” he noted. 　　Even though it continues to be the worlds biggest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance has drawn criticism when financial services firm Mazars withdrew the firms “proof of reserves” report, which aimed to confirm the exchanges holdings.　　Additionally, Binance has acknowledged that BUSD, their stablecoin, was not really completely backed by reserves.　　　　CZ reaffirmed his conviction that the philosophy underlying the technology wont be lost and that the emergence of crypto as a new default payments system must be modest.　　“We actually need to proceed slowly and carefully and steadily, so that we dont cause major disruptions,” Zhao said. “It‘s not about any single coin, blockchain or exchange, it’s the fundamental technology thats being evolved and will continue

2023-01-19Deep Dive

Binance Burning $620 Million in BNB, Will There Be A Huge Rally?

The 22nd burn round of Binance has completed, eliminating 2.064 million BNB coins from currency. Using the pricing at the time of the huge token burn, $620 million was spent. Binances Auto Burn System intends to limit the circulating supply of BNB to 100 million through these pre-planned burning activities.　　Binances 22nd token burn cycle　　Through their Pioneering Burn Program, 7,181.03 BNB were removed from circulation out of the total amount of BNB destroyed. On Twitter, some users are applauding the move and contrasting BNBs price movement with that of BTC.　　　　Over 2 million BNB tokens were destroyed on January 17 at 13:19, and the firm posted information about the event on its website. The BNB coins current circulation supply will be 157,904,427 after the burn is finished. The BNB token burn, which follows the deflationary dynamics, can assist in boosting the price and raising the tokens valuation. Over 44 million tokens have been successfully burned by BNB so far.　　How does the Auto Burn System work？　　The BNB Auto Burn is a quarterly process that provides the BNB community with more consistency and transparency while burning a specific quantity of BNB. The Auto Burn scheme will end once there are 100 million BNB tokens

2023-01-18Deep Dive

Polygon Finishes Hard Fork to Cut Gas Price Increases

A hard fork by Polygon, an Ethereum scaling initiative, that aimed to lessen occurrences of rising gas prices and disrupting chain reorganizations called “reorgs,” was finally accomplished.　　According to a tweet from Polygon Labs, the programs principal organization, the software upgrade happened at 10:45 UTC (5:45 a.m. ET) on Tuesday.　　The two ideas that make up the hard fork were put forth in December. About 87% of the participating Polygon validator teams chose to approve. Only 15 validator teams participated in the voting system, which is incredibly low considering that there can never be more than 100 active validators at once.　　　　The first suggestion changed the way gas prices, a form of tax one must pay in order to conduct transactions on a blockchain, are determined. The new system attempts to maintain affordable gas rates when the network is busy.　　As part of an effort to avoid frequent reorgs, which happen when a validator node gets information that momentarily generates a new version of the blockchain, the second proposal seeks to shorten the time required to complete a data block.　　In line with a general uptrend in the markets for digital assets, the price of Polygons native token, MATIC, has increased by around 15% during

2023-01-18Deep Dive

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