RIP FTX: What It Means for Crypto

The crypto world was rocked when FTX, a popular cryptocurrency exchange, filed for bankruptcy.

FTX is a cryptocurrency exchange in the Bahamas founded and owned by Sam Bankman-Fried in May 2019. The exchange provides users with a wide variety of services, including margin trading, spot margin trading, futures contracts and leveraged tokens.

What caused FTX to file for bankruptcy?

As a result of the crypto market’s downswing earlier this year, FTX attempted to help Alameda Research, a hedge fund focused on cryptocurrencies also owned by Bankman-Fried, stay afloat.

This involved transferring up to $10 billion of its customers’ funds to the hedge fund. The exact amount is still unknown, but in any case, FTX and Alameda were in highly vulnerable positions financially.

After learning of a significant vulnerability in the FTX exchange, Binance head Changpeng Zhao announced that he would sell all his FTT coins. FTT is the native token of the FTX exchange and is used for trading on the platform. His action sent shockwaves through the crypto community and led to a sharp sell-off of funds from the exchange, precipitating the bankruptcy filing.

After reports surfaced of customer funds being transferred to Alameda Research, FTX filed for bankruptcy, with customers desperately trying to withdraw their money. However, with FTX being based in the Bahamas, it is uncertain whether or not customers will be able to recoup their losses since there isn’t an insurance fund to protect them.

What are the potential implications of this news?

Now, many are wondering what this bankruptcy will mean for the crypto industry as a whole. Here’s what you need to know:

• Regulatory Impact: The FTX bankruptcy could have implications for other cryptocurrency exchanges and the regulation of those exchanges. It highlights the need for better oversight of the crypto-trading sector, with regulators taking a closer look at how exchanges handle funds.
• Reputational Damage: The news of FTX’s bankruptcy has been damaging to its reputation and that of Sam Bankman-Fried. With the general public’s trust in crypto markets already fragile, this could further discourage people from investing in the space.
• Investor Losses: Unfortunately, many investors with money invested in FTX will likely suffer losses due to the bankruptcy. FTX’s new CEO, John Ray, a restructuring expert who helped reimburse investors $20 billion back during Enron’s downfall in 2001, has been tasked with trying to recover as much money as possible for those affected. However, he has stated that the financial information provided by FTX is entirely unreliable. Due to this, the process will see him and his team trying to locate assets in a long-drawn process. Coupled with the fact that the exchange is not protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), it is uncertain how much of the money, if any, investors will be able to recoup.

How will this affect investors in the future?

The news of FTX’s bankruptcy is a wake-up call for crypto investors. In the future, investors should consider:

• Sticking primarily with other securities: Cryptocurrencies lack the fundamentals that make other securities more attractive investments. With no underlying assets to back them up, cryptocurrencies are largely unpredictable and volatile investments priced by speculation and value based on perceived demand. Until the crypto market is more regulated, investors with low-risk appetites may want to stick with investing in stocks, bonds and other traditional markets.
• Stick to US-based exchanges: For risk-averse investors that still want to invest in crypto, it is essential to stick with US-based exchanges. Until other countries’ regulations are caught up with that of the US, US-based exchanges should be favored over those domiciled outside of the US. Though even these exchanges are not 100% safe, they are more likely to be subject to stricter regulation and oversight from US authorities.
• Do your research: The recent surge in popularity of crypto was largely due to its novelty and the fear of missing out (FOMO) on the ‘next big thing’ that drove many to invest without doing sufficient research. Going forward, investors should understand the asset and only invest what they can afford to lose. Unlike traditional stocks, crypto has a few different metrics that can help assess value, like active user metrics, funding rates, and exchange flows.

Why cryptocurrency may still have a strong future

Despite the news of FTX’s bankruptcy, the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology is still held up by its core ethos and potential. Their advantages include:

• Decentralization: One of the critical benefits of crypto and blockchain technology is its ability to decentralize systems and remove the need for central authorities. Notably FTX was a centralized exchange, which is a primary reason for its downfall – too much control in too few hands.
• Security: Crypto and blockchain technology are built on top of cryptography, making them some of the most secure technologies available today. This makes them attractive for storing sensitive data and performing transactions.
• Transparency: Blockchain technology is transparent by design, meaning that all transactions are recorded on a public ledger allowing anyone to see what has happened. This could revolutionize areas such as accounting, auditing and even voting.
• Efficiency: Long-term, cryptocurrencies have the potential to reduce transaction times, fees and energy consumption compared to traditional methods such as credit cards or Paypal.

What does this mean for the future of crypto?

The FTX bankruptcy will have lasting implications for the crypto market. It’s a reminder that cryptocurrencies are still in their early stages, and there is still much work to be done regarding security, regulations and transparency. Investors should continue to approach the crypto market cautiously and do their due diligence before investing.

At the same time, it should also be taken as a sign that innovation, regulation and consumer protection can come together if done properly. If these measures are implemented correctly, cryptocurrency could become a viable asset class for investors looking for long-term returns. After all, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology bring an ethos of decentralization, democratization and transparency that could revolutionize the financial markets. If they can fully realize this potential, FTX’s bankruptcy may be remembered as a blip on the path to greater success.