Genesis Offloads GBTC Shares to Purchase $2.1B in BTC
Genesis' strategic BTC move is to repay crditors. The trade quickly yielded an $80 million profit
April 6, 2024 07:10 AM
Reading time: 1 minute, 45 seconds
TL;DR In a significant move, the bankrupt crypto lending company Genesis liquidated around 36 million Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) shares to acquire Bitcoin. This strategic sale, valued at $2.1 billion, is part of Genesis' efforts to settle its debts with creditors.
In an attempt to navigate through its bankruptcy proceedings, Genesis, a crypto lending firm, has made a considerable transaction by selling approximately 36 million shares of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC). The shares were offloaded on April 2, with each share valued at around $58.50 at that time. This move was part of Genesis' broader strategy to acquire additional Bitcoin (BTC) for repaying its creditors.
Market Response and Strategic Sale Following Genesis' request for permission from the U.S. bankruptcy court on February 2, the share price of GBTC saw a significant increase of about 50%, jumping from $38.50 to the sale price. The total amount raised from the sale reached $2.1 billion, which subsequently allowed Genesis to purchase 32,041 Bitcoin at a price of $65,685 each. As of now, the total value of these Bitcoins stands at $2.18 billion, showcasing a positive return on the transaction.
"Our view is that much of these funds will likely remain within the crypto ecosystem, contributing to a neutral overall effect in the market," stated Coinbase.
The crypto exchange Coinbase has reassured the community that the sell-off is not expected to have a wider impact on the crypto market. This sentiment is based on the belief that the funds from the sale will likely be reinvested within the crypto ecosystem, maintaining a neutral effect on market dynamics.
Genesis' Bankruptcy and Repayment Efforts This strategic sale comes after more than a year since Genesis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2023. The company's efforts to settle its debts have been under scrutiny, with its parent company Digital Currency Group (DCG) arguing that Genesis' plan proposes to pay its customers more than they are actually entitled to. Despite these claims, Genesis continues its pursuit to fulfill its obligations to its creditors through strategic financial maneuvers like the GBTC share sale.
Future Implications and Community Reactions The recent transaction by Genesis has sparked discussions within the crypto community regarding its implications for the market and the bankruptcy proceedings. While Coinbase has provided a positive outlook on the situation, it remains to be seen how this large-scale transaction will influence the broader crypto ecosystem in the long term.