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☆ Anthony Scaramucci's SkyBridge Capital limited redemptions as bets on FTX and crypto resulted in a 39% loss last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Anthony Scaramucci's SkyBridge Capital suffered a 39% loss in its top funds in 2022, according to Bloomberg. That's due to losing bets on FTX and cryptocurrencies, pushing investors to pull their money out. SkyBridge investors asked to withdraw 60% of a top fund's capital in the September 30 redemption period, but it only returned 10%. SkyBridge investors asked to withdraw 60% of the top fund's capital in the September 30 redemption period, but it only returned 10%, according to filings cited by Bloomberg. Additionally, SkyBridge funds were listed as owning 244,196 common shares and 61,049 Series B-1 Preferred shares of FTX Trading.

☆ SBF's mom, Caroline Ellison, and former FTX executives are not cooperating with the investigation into the disgraced crypto exchange, filing says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Jennifer Sor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

SBF, his mom, his brother, and key executives in his crypto empire aren't cooperating in the FTX bankruptcy case, according to a recent court filing. FTX lawyers said several key insiders have not responded or declined to give requested information related to the collapsed exchange. But discussions with Bankman-Fried's father and another FTX executive have been making progress, the filing said. In particular, former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison and FTX co-founder Gary Wang have declined to give FTX's lawyers requested information. However, discussions with Bankman-Fried's father Joseph Bankman and former FTX COO Zhe Wang have been making progress, the filing said.

☆ Prosecutors say Sam Bankman-Fried’s contact with FTX’s ex-general counsel is ‘suggestive’ of witness tampering
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Kara Scannell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Federal prosecutors said FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried contacted the former general counsel of the crypto trading platform earlier this month in a move they say may constitute witness tampering. They also want the judge to block Bankman-Fried from using any encrypted communication devices out of concerns he will obstruct the ongoing investigation. “Efforts by the defendant to improve his relationship with potential witnesses that may testify against him may itself constitute witness tampering,” prosecutors wrote. Witness-1 participated in Signal and Slack communications with the defendant and a small group of company insiders during the relevant events of November 2022. Several potential witnesses told prosecutors of “incriminating conversations” they had with Bankman-Fried over the messaging platforms that were deleted because Bankman-Fried set the programs to auto-delete after 30 days.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried tried to influence witness through Signal, DOJ alleges
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Rohan Goswami | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Federal prosecutors are attempting to bar indicted FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried from using encrypted messaging software, citing efforts that may "constitute witness tampering," according to a letter filed in Manhattan federal court Friday. Bankman-Fried reached out to the "current General Counsel of FTX US who may be a witness at trial," prosecutors said. Federal prosecutors allege that Bankman-Fried's request suggests an effort to influence the witness's testimony, and that Bankman-Fried's effort to improve his relationship with Miller "may itself constitute witness tampering." In restricting Bankman-Fried's access to Signal and other encrypted messaging platforms, the government cites a need to "prevent obstruction of justice." Federal prosecutors claim that Bankman-Fried directed Alameda and FTX through Slack and Signal, and ordered his employees set communications to "autodelete after 30 days or less."

☆ FTX wants to ask Sam Bankman-Fried's parents and brother if they received any money from the crypto exchange
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Court documents show FTX aims to question Sam Bankman-Fried's parents and brother about their personal wealth, per Bloomberg. The family should provide financial documents about any money they may have received from the company, FTX lawyers said. The bankruptcy judge still has to approve the request before FTX lawyers can move forward. Both of Bankman-Fried's parents have been involved with the company. In addition, Reuters reported in November that a $16.4 million house in the Bahamas listed Bankman-Fried's parents as signatories and was described in property records as a "vacation home."

☆ FTX creditors include Goldman Sachs, New York Times and Netflix
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Newly unsealed bankruptcy documents revealed thousands of creditors to whom FTX owes money after the once-mighty crypto exchange collapsed in November. Wall Street heavyweights including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan were named in the creditor list, which includes businesses, charities, individuals and other entities in a 116-page document filed late Wednesday. In a statement, Goldman Sachs said that it has not filed a claim against FTX. Inclusion on the creditor list doesn’t necessarily mean the parties had an FTX account. FTX is believed to have more than a million creditors, the top 50 of whom are collectively owed more than $3 billion.

Jan 26 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden are calling on the country's accounting watchdog to increase oversight of firms that audit cryptocurrency companies in the wake of the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. “When PCAOB-registered auditors perform sham audits – even for firms that may lay outside of the PCAOB’s jurisdiction – they tarnish the credibility of the PCAOB," Warren and Wyden wrote. A PCAOB spokesperson confirmed the board had received the letter and said it would respond to the lawmakers directly. Bankman-Fried has previously acknowledged risk-management failures at FTX but has said he does not believe he has criminal liability. Reporting by Hannah Lang and Douglas Gillison in Washington; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Anthony Scaramucci says he got only $400,000 back on his $10 million investment in FTX's token
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Anthony Scaramucci says he only got $400k back from a $10 million investment in FTX's token. The SkyBridge Capital investor backed FTT after receiving $45 million in funding from FTX. The coin lost 91% of its value in a matter of days following allegations Bankman-Fried's Alameda Research held a significant amount of the FTT token, falling from averages around $24 to less than $1. SkyBridge received $45 million of funding from Bankman-Fried after FTX bought a 30% stake in the company, of which Scaramucci invested $10 million in FTT, before eventually selling it at a loss of $9.6 million. I'm not going to be the person that takes no more risk in the future because I got burned by Sam."

☆ Bankrupt crypto lender BlockFi accidentally reveals it had over $1.2 billion in assets tied up with FTX
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Bankrupt crypto lender BlockFi's secret financials revealed linkages of over $1.2 billion to FTX. As of January 14, unredacted filings show BlockFi had $415.9 million worth of assets linked to FTX and $831.3 million tied to Alameda. However, lawyers representing BlockFi previously said the firm had $355 million in digital assets stuck on FTX, and loaned $671 million to Alameda. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last November, citing significant exposure to FTX and the now-defunct crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital. The crypto lender has over 100,000 creditors, with liabilities and assets ranging from $1 billion to $10 billion.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried gave $400 million to an obscure crypto-trading firm cofounded by a Jane Street trader just 2 years out of college, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sam Bankman-Fried sent $400 million to Modulo Capital, an obscure crypto trading firm. A spreadsheet shared by the Financial Times in December 2022 showed that Alameda Research, the trading firm cofounded by Bankman-Fried, invested two separate sums in Modulo — $250 million and $150 million. CoinDesk first reported that Modulo's founders used to work at Jane Street Capital, the trading firm where Bankman-Fried began his career, but didn't publish their identities. Court documents reviewed by Insider show that FTX spent $5.8 million at the Albany in nine months up to September 2022. Federal prosecutors have already seized over $500 million from Bankman-Fried, including $50 million kept in the tiny Farmington State Bank, but they're still searching for more.

☆ We read the Biden administration's proposal to protect renters from discrimination and unwarranted rent hikes. Here are the 3 biggest takeaways.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Robert Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Biden administration announced several new protections for renters on January 25. At the same time, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, an independent organization that helps regulate the mortgage market, will create new policies that encourage development of affordable-rental units. Insider reviewed the documents the White House released concerning the new initiatives. The idea comes as many renters continue to organize in order to combat what they see as unwarranted rent increases and evictions. Some home builders like Jerry Konter, the chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, disagreed with the new protections for renters.

The balance shown in the unredacted BlockFi filing includes $415.9 million worth of assets linked to FTX and $831.3 million in loans to Alameda. Both of Bankman-Fried's firms were wrapped into FTX's November bankruptcy, which sent the crypto markets reeling. Bankrupt crypto lender BlockFi had over $1.2 billion in assets tied up with Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX and Alameda Research, according to financials that had previously been redacted but were mistakenly uploaded on Tuesday without the redactions. In all, the crypto lender has unadjusted assets worth almost $2.7 billion, with close to half tied to FTX and Alameda, the presentation shows. After all adjustments, BlockFi has just shy of $1.3 billion in assets, only $668.8 million of which is described as "Liquid / To Be Distributed."

☆ New York’s financial regulator takes aim at firms co-mingling crypto funds
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Hannah Lang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Concerns about the crossover between the two firms helped fuel a flurry of customer withdrawals in November, forcing the exchange to file for bankruptcy. New York requires firms to undergo examinations making sure they are in-line with state requirements and comply with know-your-customer, anti-money laundering and capital requirements. Most other states do not subject crypto firms to examinations. Crypto firms' compliance with anti-money laundering rules has also been "a big issue," she said, one she expects her office will continue focusing on in 2023. Earlier in the month, NYDFS announced a $100 million settlement with Coinbase Inc (COIN.O) over the firm's compliance with rules to prevent money laundering.

☆ Bankrupt crypto lender Genesis optimistic it can resolve creditor disputes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sean O'Neal, the lawyer, spoke at a hearing in Manhattan bankruptcy court to consider "first-day" motions for Genesis Global Capital, the crypto lending business owned by Barry Silbert's venture capital firm Digital Currency Group. The filing followed the bankruptcies since last July of crypto lenders BlockFi, Celsius Network and Voyager Digital. Brian Rosen, a lawyer for creditors holding $1.5 billion of claims, said "we are getting closer" to an accord. On Jan. 12, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Genesis and Gemini with illegally selling unregistered securities through their Gemini Earn lending product. Cameron Winklevoss has also called for Silbert's removal as DCG chief, and threatened litigation against DCG if Genesis' bankruptcy did not result in " a fair offer to creditors."

☆ A top investment chief explains why bonds offer an attractive hedge for a mild and brief recession in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I'm senior reporter Phil Rosen, and below I'm sharing my conversation with Northwestern Mutual's chief investment officer, Brent Schutte. He sees the bond market as this year's best recession hedge. Phil Rosen: You said you're expecting a mild and brief recession this year. Brent Schutte: The good news is that the bond market has repriced, and the bond market is a hedge against that recession. BC: I do think earnings will come down this year, and cheaper equities give a margin of safety against that.

☆ A look at the companies behind the pricey 'Crypto Bowl' ads, then vs. now, as Super Bowl LVII approaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Super Bowl LVI was dubbed the "Crypto Bowl" after ads from crypto companies made a splash. The larger crypto industry suffered billions in losses in 2022, highlighted by the collapse of FTX. But in 2022, the game was dubbed the "Crypto Bowl," with FTX, Coinbase, Crypto.com, and eToro all debuting ads, along with Bud Light incorporating NFTs into its ad. Here's a look back at how the four companies who advertised during the last Super Bowl are doing now. Compared to FTX, other crypto companies that advertised during the Super Bowl had a remarkably stable year given volatility in the industry, but each had its troubles.

Jan 20 (Reuters) - As an investment banker, Barry Silbert worked on some of the highest-profile corporate failures. Now, as founder of venture capital firm Digital Currency Group, parent of troubled crypto firm Genesis, he is grappling with problems closer to home. Unlike other prominent crypto moguls, Silbert kept a relatively low profile, eschewing the regular tweets favored by his peers. Nasdaq bought SecondMarket in 2015 for an undisclosed amount and Silbert relaunched SecondMarket’s crypto trading division as Genesis Trading the same year, incorporating it into his growing crypto empire. In an open letter posted to Twitter on Jan. 10, Gemini's Cameron Winklevoss demanded the DCG board remove Silbert as CEO and install a new leader.

☆ Crypto lending unit of Genesis files for US bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The lending unit of crypto firm Genesis filed on Thursday for US bankruptcy protection from creditors, toppled by a market rout along with the likes of exchange FTX and lender BlockFi. Genesis Global Capital, one of the largest crypto lenders, froze customer redemptions on Nov. 16 after FTX stunned the financial world with its bankruptcy, fueling concern that other companies could implode. Genesis’ lending unit said it had both assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion in its filings with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Genesis Global Holdco, the parent group of Genesis Global Capital, also filed for bankruptcy protection, along with another lending unit Genesis Asia Pacific. The two firms are fighting over a crypto lending product called Earn that they jointly offered.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried had a 'security incident' when 3 men drove into a metal barricade outside his parents' multimillion Bay Area home, his lawyer said
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyer said the ex-crypto mogul and his parents had been subjected to harassment and threats. This includes a recent "security incident" at his parents' Bay Area home, the lawyer said. "Recently, the Bankman-Frieds had a security incident at their home when a black car drove into the metal barricade set up outside their home," Everdell wrote. "This incident underscores the risk to the Bankman-Frieds' privacy and security," he said. In a filing from January 3, attorney Mark Cohen had said that Bankman-Fried's parents "have become the target of intense media scrutiny, harassment, and threats."

☆ A tiny rural bank which Alameda bought an $11.5 million stake in is giving up its crypto and weed ambitions to return to its community roots
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sam Bankman-Fried's Alameda research invested $11.5 million in Farmington State Bank last year. New owners planned to serve the crypto and cannabis industries, but are giving up after FTX's collapse. The New York Times reported last November that Sam Bankman-Fried's Alameda had bought an $11.5 million share in Farmington State Bank. Farmington State Bank was purchased in 2020 by FBH, a company owned by the "Inspector Gadget" co-creator Jean Chalopin. Alameda bought 10% of FBH for $11.5 million in January 2022, even though the bank had a net worth of $5.7 million at the time, according to The Times.

☆ Crypto lending unit of Genesis files for U.S. bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Jan 19 (Reuters) - The lending unit of crypto firm Genesis filed on Thursday for U.S. bankruptcy protection from creditors, toppled by a market rout along with the likes of exchange FTX and lender BlockFi. Genesis Global Capital, one of the largest crypto lenders, froze customer redemptions on Nov. 16 after FTX stunned the financial world with its bankruptcy, fuelling concern that other companies could implode. Genesis' lending unit said it had both assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion in its filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Genesis Global Holdco, the parent group of Genesis Global Capital, also filed for bankruptcy protection, along with another lending unit Genesis Asia Pacific. The two firms are fighting over a crypto lending product called Earn that they jointly offered.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried's 2 mysterious bail sponsors ponied up a total of $700,000 to get the alleged fraudster out of jail
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In addition to his parents, Sam Bankman-Fried has two anonymous bail sponsors keeping him out of jail. In addition to the anonymous bail sponsors, Bankman-Fried's parents used their $4 million Palo Alto home as collateral to help secure the bond. In court, prosecutors estimated he defrauded more than 1 million customers. Earlier this month, several news organizations, including Insider, asked Kaplan to unseal the identities of the two anonymous bail sponsors, arguing it was in the public interest. A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment on the identity of the bail sponsors.

☆ Factbox: Crypto's string of bankruptcies
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

GENESIS GLOBAL CAPITALOne of the largest crypto lenders, Genesis froze customer redemptions in November after major exchange FTX stunned the financial world with its bankruptcy. Genesis Global Holdco, the parent group of Genesis Global Capital, also filed for bankruptcy protection, along with another lending unit, Genesis Asia Pacific. FTXThe Bahamas-based exchange shocked the crypto world by going bankrupt in November after suffering withdrawals of about $6 billion in just 72 hours and rival crypto exchange Binance ditched a possible rescue. CELSIUS NETWORKA crypto lender brought down by the collapse of terraUSD and luna, Celsius began its U.S. bankruptcy case on July 14. The U.S. affiliate of major crypto exchange Binance said in December it intends to buy Voyager's crypto lending platform in a deal valued at about $1 billion.

☆ FTX money trails leading to politicians, media, and other crypto exchanges point to the deep influence of Sam Bankman-Fried
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Here's what Bankman-Fried seemed to be aiming at: Stash money with all the right people, while lobbying for policy favorable to FTX. As CoinDesk reported this week, 37% of Congress took money from Bankman-Fried and other FTX executives. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer were among the 196 senators and representatives that received funds. Other lawmakers included some who were just sworn into congressional ranks this month, which points to Bankman-Fried possibly seeking to hold sway over new members. GOLDMAN SACHS stock price on Jan. 19, 2023 Markets Insider10.

☆ New FTX chief says bankrupt crypto exchange could restart - WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 19 (Reuters) - Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX is looking into the possibility of reviving its business, Chief Executive Officer John Ray told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday. Ray, who took over the reins in November, has set up a task force to explore restarting FTX.com, the company's main international exchange, he said in an interview with the WSJ. "I'm glad Mr. Ray is finally paying lip service to turning the exchange back on after months of squashing such efforts!" "I'm still waiting for him to finally admit FTX US is solvent and give customers their money back," Bankman-Fried added. Bankman-Fried has been accused of stealing billions of dollars from the exchange's customers to pay debts incurred by his crypto-focused hedge fund, Alameda Research.

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