BlockFi partners with Coinbase for fund distribution amid shutdown

As a researcher with a background in finance and cryptocurrencies, I find the latest developments at BlockFi quite intriguing. The news that the struggling crypto lender is winding down operations and partnering with Coinbase for fund distributions comes after a tumultuous period for the company, which declared bankruptcy last November following the collapse of FTX.


BlockFi, a crypto lending company facing financial challenges, has announced its decision to wind down operations and close its web platform by May 2024. To facilitate seamless fund withdrawals for their clients, BlockFi has entered into a partnership with Coinbase, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange.

As a researcher studying the latest developments in the cryptocurrency industry, I came across an exciting announcement from a New Jersey-based company. According to their recent blog post, they are partnering with Coinbase to offer new withdrawal options for eligible BlockFi Interest Accounts (BIA), Retail Loans, and Private Clients. This means that these account holders can now easily transfer their cryptocurrency holdings to their Coinbase wallets for secure storage or further use.

As a researcher, I would put it this way: In November 2022, BlockFi filed for bankruptcy as a result of FTX’s downfall. Then, in the year that followed, BlockFi disclosed its intention to shut down operations and revealed details about returning customers’ crypto assets. The deadline for submitting withdrawal requests was established on April 28, 2024.

On Thursday, clients were notified by the lender that the cut-off date for taking out digital assets from the ongoing estate distribution had elapsed. Consequently, they will be guided on how to establish a Coinbase account for processing withdrawals, whether through an existing or newly created account approved by the platform.

BlockFi partners with Coinbase for fund distribution amid shutdown

The company is providing an additional opportunity for those who missed the withdrawal deadline and the May 10 deadline for verification via the BlockFi platform. Clients who do not establish an approved Coinbase account may have their assets liquidated into cash and distributed accordingly.

The person in charge of managing distributions will carry on utilizing Coinbase for future disbursements, which may include funds rescued from FTX. If not for this functionality, cash would be the sole means for conducting subsequent payouts.

BlockFi stated that it does not intend to partner with any other providers for cryptocurrency distributions. Therefore, investors are advised to stay cautious to avoid potential scams from third-party entities.

There have been instances of deceitful actions targeting BlockFi in the past. Some users received misleading emails, which appeared authentic but actually demanded unjustified fund withdrawals from their accounts, draining their remaining balances.

As an analyst, I’d put it this way: BlockFi and the estates of FTX and Alameda Research have reached a preliminary agreement worth $875 million. This settlement dismisses BlockFi’s accusations against FTX, which amounted to approximately a billion dollars. In return, FTX has forfeited “millions of dollars” in potential counterclaims and avoidance claims against BlockFi.

Zac Prince, BlockFi’s CEO, claimed during the criminal trial of Sam Bankman-Fried that the latter’s actions were the primary cause of BlockFi’s bankruptcy.

In September 2023, the bankruptcy court endorsed BlockFi’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan to settle debts with approximately 10,000 of its creditors. It is projected that BlockFi may owe up to $10 billion in total to more than 100,000 of its creditors. Among them are the three largest creditors, to whom BlockFi allegedly owes around $1 billion, and bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, to which it reportedly owes approximately $220 million.

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2024-05-10 10:41