The recent approval of BlockFi’s liquidation plan by the United States Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey signifies a significant milestone for the customers of the bankrupt cryptocurrency lending platform. The decision, made by Bankruptcy Judge Michael A. Kaplan, brings them one step closer to potential repayment for their investments. This article explores the details of the approval and its implications on BlockFi’s creditors.
In a court hearing held on September 26th, Judge Michael A. Kaplan approved BlockFi’s third amended Chapter 11 plan. This approval comes after several amendments were made to the initial liquidation plan submitted by BlockFi to the bankruptcy court. The extent of repayment that the unsecured creditors of BlockFi will receive will heavily rely on the outcome of its legal battle against FTX and other bankrupt cryptocurrency firms.
BlockFi filed its first liquidation plan on November 28th, which was followed by three amended plans on May 12th, June 28th, and July 31st. These revisions indicate the complexities and challenges faced by the lending platform throughout its bankruptcy proceedings. The successful approval of the final amended plan demonstrates a potential resolution for BlockFi’s creditors, who have been eagerly awaiting clarity regarding the repayment of their debts.
To secure the approval of the liquidation plan, BlockFi settled a long-fought dispute with the creditors committee over the company’s senior management. This settlement, as revealed in a court filing on September 25th, is believed to have minimized additional administrative fees and expenses, ensuring a more substantial recovery for the creditors. However, it is worth noting that the creditors committee had expressed concerns about BlockFi’s relationship with FTX and its former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried.
BlockFi has attributed its own failure to the collapse of FTX, a major player in the cryptocurrency industry. However, the creditors committee has expressed reservations about the nature of BlockFi’s association with FTX and its former CEO. Despite this dispute, the approval of the liquidation plan provides hope for BlockFi’s creditors, who are estimated to be owed up to $10 billion by the lending platform. Notably, the three largest creditors are owed a substantial amount of $1 billion, while bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital claims $220 million.
Throughout these complex bankruptcy proceedings, BlockFi is being represented by reputable law firms Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Haynes and Boone LLP. Their expertise and guidance are crucial in navigating the legal challenges and ensuring the interests of BlockFi’s creditors are adequately represented.
The approval of BlockFi’s liquidation plan by the United States Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey sets the stage for potential repayment for the platform’s customers. Despite the challenges faced by BlockFi, the resolution of the dispute with the creditors committee and the ongoing legal battle against FTX offer a glimmer of hope for the creditors. As the bankruptcy proceedings progress, it remains to be seen how BlockFi’s relationship with FTX and its former CEO will impact the final outcome. In the interim, the expertise of the law firms representing BlockFi will be instrumental in ensuring a fair and just resolution for all parties involved.
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