BlockFi Seeks Court Approval to Convert "Trade-Only" Assets into Stablecoins

• Financial

Defunct crypto lending firm BlockFi has made a significant appeal to the United States Bankruptcy Court. The company has formally requested the court to allow the conversion of specific “trade-only” assets in its users' accounts into stablecoins.

This move comes as an effort to facilitate smoother withdrawals for its users, marking a considerable step towards the return of funds to its clients.

An Era of Bankruptcy and Financial Chaos

2022 was a tumultuous year for many crypto companies.

BlockFi, which was once a towering name in the crypto lending world, faced the tremors of financial instability, culminating in its application for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US. Notably, it wasn't alone in this plight.

Other companies in the crypto space, including FTX, Celsius Network, and Voyager Digital, also found themselves in a similar whirlpool of financial challenges. But for BlockFi’s customers, the real challenge began in November 2022 when the firm temporarily halted the withdrawal of funds.

This action, although necessary from the company's perspective, meant that for several agonizing months, users were left uncertain about their investments. However, on August 16, there came a sigh of relief when the court finally gave the green light for BlockFi to initiate withdrawals, a feature that had been disabled for nearly nine months.

The Quest for a Seamless Withdrawal Process

The assets currently under scrutiny include Algorand, Bitcoin Cash, and Dogecoin. Given the inherent challenges in withdrawing these cryptocurrencies, BlockFi has proposed a unique solution – converting them into more liquid stablecoins such as the Gemini Dollar (GUSD) or other similar currencies.

By doing this, BlockFi aims to simplify the withdrawal process for its clients, ensuring they can access their funds without undue hassle. While BlockFi's intentions seem clear, the court's decision is eagerly awaited. Alongside, the court has given a conditional nod to BlockFi’s restructuring plan, which chiefly involves recovering funds from prominent entities like Alameda Research, FTX, Three Arrows Capital, Emergent, and Core Scientific.

Last week, the plot thickened as BlockFi’s legal team mounted a resistance against FTX’s efforts to reclaim hundreds of millions in debt repayment.