Nov 2022 - FTX Exchange Collapse and Bankruptcy - $8b (Global)

"FTX Trading Ltd. was one of the largest cryptocurrency exchange firms, known for its specialty in buying and selling crypto derivatives, and once valued at about $40 billion"

"FTX’s collapse took place over a 10-day period in November 2022. The catalyst was a Nov. 2 scoop by crypto news site CoinDesk that revealed that Alameda Research, the quantitative trading firm also run by Bankman-Fried, held a position valued at $5 billion in FTT, the native token of FTX.

The report disclosed that Alameda’s investment foundation was also in FTT, the token that its sister company had invented, not a fiat currency or other cryptocurrency. That prompted concern across the cryptocurrency industry regarding Bankman-Fried’s companies’ undisclosed leverage and solvency."

"In addition to the $250 million package, which prosecutors called “the largest-ever pretrial bond,” the former crypto billionaire would also be required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, submit to mental health counseling and restrict himself travel within and between the Northern District of California and the Southern & Eastern Districts of New York.

Judge Gabriel Gorenstein said Bankman-Fried would require “strict” supervision following his release to his parents’ home in California.

His parents, both Stanford Law professors, were present in the courtroom. Bankman-Fried was flanked by two U.S. marshals, dressed in a blue suit and brown shoes. Bankman-Fried entered in ankle shackles as well, but traded them for his ankle monitor while in the courtroom."

"Bankman-Fried was the heart of “a fraud of epic proportions,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos told the court. But he voluntarily returned to the United States, has no history of flight and has significantly reduced financial assets, Roos said.

Bankman-Fried had previously claimed that he was down to a mere $100,000, a steep fall from grace for a man who was once at the head of a $32 billion crypto empire."

"Bankman-Fried’s bail dwarfs other federal white-collar bonds. Bernie Madoff posted a $10 million bond while awaiting trial on his multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. Jeff Skilling, former Enron CEO, posted a $5 million bond, while Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos founder, posted a scant $500,000."

Further Analysis

FTX Trading Ltd., once a major cryptocurrency exchange firm valued at around $40 billion, collapsed over a 10-day period in November 2022. The catalyst for its fall was a report by CoinDesk on November 2, which revealed that Alameda Research, a quantitative trading firm also run by Sam Bankman-Fried, held a $5 billion position in FTT, the native token of FTX. This disclosure raised concerns about undisclosed leverage and solvency across Bankman-Fried's companies. Sam Bankman-Fried, the former crypto billionaire at the center of this scandal, is now facing the largest-ever pretrial bond, set at $250 million.

How Could This Have Been Prevented?

More Cryptocurrency Exchange Hacks/Scams/Frauds

BlockFi Withdrawals Disabled and Bankruptcy > > < < Deribit Hot Wallet Breached

Sources/Further Reading

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