In the ongoing saga of FTX’s collapse and the subsequent efforts to recover investor funds, recent insights suggest that creditors might receive significantly less in actual crypto value than originally anticipated. As cryptocurrency prices have soared since the exchange’s bankruptcy in 2022, the true recovery rates for FTX claimants are being recalculated, revealing much lower returns when adjusted for current asset valuations.
FTX creditors are faced with a sobering reality: the once optimistic recovery projections must be adjusted for the sharp rise in cryptocurrency prices since the firm’s dramatic collapse. Sunil, a well-known representative of FTX creditors, shared on X that actual recoveries in crypto terms currently range from just 9% to 46%. This is a stark contrast to the 143% fiat repayment plan announced by FTX, highlighting a significant discrepancy between nominal payouts and real asset value.
For example, Bitcoin’s petition price was about $16,871, and with its current value exceeding $110,000, the real recovery rate in Bitcoin terms is approximately 22%. Ether’s recovery shrinks from a 143% fiat payout to roughly 46% in Ethereum’s actual value, while Solana’s recovery dwindles to only 12%.
Beyond just direct payouts, Sunil highlighted the potential for “extra recovery” through airdrops from external blockchain projects. Entities like Paradex are actively targeting FTX creditors, recognizing their value as a desirable asset class within the crypto ecosystem.
The first round of creditor payments, totaling $1.2 billion, was distributed on February 18 for claims under $50,000. Subsequently, the FTX Recovery Trust launched a second payout of $5 billion in May, covering various claim categories such as Dotcom Customer Entitlement Claims (72%), US Customer Entitlement Claims (54%), and Convenience Claims (120%).
Likewise, unsecured claimants and those holding digital asset loans are expected to receive approximately 61% of their claims, with fund disbursements via platforms like Kraken and BitGo expected within a few days.
Legal Developments: Sam Bankman-Fried’s Pending Appeal
Meanwhile, Sam Bankman-Fried, the former FTX CEO convicted of multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy, is preparing for a pivotal court date. His appeal hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, signifying a critical effort to overturn his 25-year sentence.
Bankman-Fried’s legal team argued in September that he was never presumed innocent and claimed prosecutors misrepresented how FTX customer funds were handled, challenging the validity of his recent conviction on seven felony counts.
This ongoing legal process underscores the complexity of the FTX case as authorities and creditors continue to seek accountability and recovery amid a rapidly evolving crypto regulatory landscape.