- Alameda’s financial woes hit a low point in November 2022, leaving BlockFi with unpaid debt.
- A CEO’s gripping courtroom testimony has unveiled a dramatic financial collapse.
- BlockFi’s relationship with FTX has revealed a financial web involving high-stakes assets.
BlockFi CEO Zac Prince resumed his testimony against former counterpart Sam Bankman-Fried on Friday. He vividly outlined to the court the unfortunate circumstances that led his lending firm to declare bankruptcy due to its intricate connections with FTX and Alameda Research.
Unraveling BlockFi’s Struggle with Alameda Over $1B Loan
BlockFi began lending to Alameda Research in late 2020 or early 2021 under strong loan agreements. Alameda requested additional funds in the second quarter of 2021, and BlockFi approved a substantial increase after discussions with Bankman-Fried.
By May 2022, BlockFi’s loans to Alameda had surpassed a staggering $1 billion, Prince disclosed. However, the situation took a different turn as BlockFi faced losses attributed to the downfall of the Terra Luna crypto ecosystem. Consequently, BlockFi began to request repayment from Alameda.
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To ensure Alameda’s ability to repay, BlockFi received quarterly balance sheets indicating Alameda’s liquidity, solvency, and collateral, mainly in FTX’s FTT token and other cryptocurrencies.
FTX’s Role in Alameda’s BlockFi Loan
Alameda’s financial situation took a nosedive in November 2022, resulting in outstanding loans from BlockFi amounting to approximately $800 million to $850 million, as Prince recollected. Even after Alameda’s collapse, around $650 million of these loans remained unpaid.
To bolster their commitment, Alameda posted additional collateral, which included FTT, Robinhood shares, and shares from a Grayscale trust. Beyond its role as a lender to Alameda, BlockFi also maintained a business relationship with FTX. BlockFi held Alameda’s collateral on the FTX platform and managed customer funds valued at roughly $350 million on the former exchange.
On the Flipside
- The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency lending and financial services is evolving. The lack of clear and consistent regulations in this space may have played a role in the difficulties faced by BlockFi and Alameda.
- It remains to be explored whether BlockFi conducted a comprehensive risk assessment of their loans to Alameda Research, considering the potential volatility in the cryptocurrency market.
Why This Matters
The BlockFi-Alameda financial saga is a stark reminder of the intricate and interconnected web of relationships in the crypto space. It highlights the critical importance of due diligence and risk management, shedding light on the potential pitfalls that can impact individual entities and the crypto community.
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To learn more about BlockFi’s recent approval for their plan, read here:
BlockFi Restructuring Plan Receives Approval in Major Win
To explore a related event, discover the blockchain trail that links an FTX hacker to Russia:
Blockchain Trail Links FTX $477 Million Hacker to Russia
