BlockFi to Stop Accepting Grayscale Bitcoin Trust as Collateral

Wednesday, 13/07/2022 | 21:19 GMT by Felipe Erazo
  • Grayscale Investments declined to comment about the matter in the press.
  • BlockFi has been able to maintain operations despite the crypto crisis.
bitcoin crypto industry

BlockFi, a cryptocurrency lender platform, recently announced that it will stop accepting Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) as collateral. According to The Straits Times, citing Bloomberg, it stopped accepting shares of the fund as collateral.

In response to Bloomberg’s report, the New Jersey-based lender said it is winding down ‘a couple’ of loans with GBTC as collateral. “We are not saying that we won’t support GBTC as collateral moving forward. Like any collateral, we constantly evaluate appropriate collateral haircut ratios and aim to accept as many types of collateral that our clients hold as possible,” BlockFi commented. However, Grayscale Investments declined to issue any statement about the matter.

BlockFi and FTX

Last month, BlockFi signed a $250 million revolving credit agreement with FTX. According to Zac Prince, BlockFi’s Chief Executive Officer, the credit facility provides them with access to capital that ‘further bolsters our balance sheet and platform strength’ in the midst of the crisis it has been facing.

With the agreement, BlockFi can access capital during a rout in the digital currency market. The company announced last week that it would reduce its headcount by about 20% and reduce its marketing spend and executive compensation.

“The proceeds of the credit facility are intended to be contractually subordinate to all client balances across all account types (BIA, BPY & loan collateral) and will be used as needed. Throughout the market volatility of the last several weeks, I’m incredibly proud of how our team, platform and risk management protocols have performed. Today’s landmark announcement reinforces BlockFi’s commitment to serving its clients and ensuring their funds are safeguarded,” Prince pointed out at that time.

He added: “This agreement also unlocks future collaboration and innovation between BlockFi & FTX as we work to accelerate prosperity worldwide through crypto financial services. This is a significant step forward in our commitment to the strength and accessibility of crypto markets.”

BlockFi, a cryptocurrency lender platform, recently announced that it will stop accepting Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) as collateral. According to The Straits Times, citing Bloomberg, it stopped accepting shares of the fund as collateral.

In response to Bloomberg’s report, the New Jersey-based lender said it is winding down ‘a couple’ of loans with GBTC as collateral. “We are not saying that we won’t support GBTC as collateral moving forward. Like any collateral, we constantly evaluate appropriate collateral haircut ratios and aim to accept as many types of collateral that our clients hold as possible,” BlockFi commented. However, Grayscale Investments declined to issue any statement about the matter.

BlockFi and FTX

Last month, BlockFi signed a $250 million revolving credit agreement with FTX. According to Zac Prince, BlockFi’s Chief Executive Officer, the credit facility provides them with access to capital that ‘further bolsters our balance sheet and platform strength’ in the midst of the crisis it has been facing.

With the agreement, BlockFi can access capital during a rout in the digital currency market. The company announced last week that it would reduce its headcount by about 20% and reduce its marketing spend and executive compensation.

“The proceeds of the credit facility are intended to be contractually subordinate to all client balances across all account types (BIA, BPY & loan collateral) and will be used as needed. Throughout the market volatility of the last several weeks, I’m incredibly proud of how our team, platform and risk management protocols have performed. Today’s landmark announcement reinforces BlockFi’s commitment to serving its clients and ensuring their funds are safeguarded,” Prince pointed out at that time.

He added: “This agreement also unlocks future collaboration and innovation between BlockFi & FTX as we work to accelerate prosperity worldwide through crypto financial services. This is a significant step forward in our commitment to the strength and accessibility of crypto markets.”

About the Author: Felipe Erazo
Felipe Erazo
  • 1036 Articles
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About the Author: Felipe Erazo
Felipe earned a degree in journalism at the University of Chile with the highest honour in the overall ranking, and he also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Communication. In addition, he has been working as a freelance writer and Forex/crypto analyst, with experience gained from several forex broker firms and crypto-related media outlets around the world. He has been involved in the world of online forex trading since 2010 and in the crypto sphere since 2015.
  • 1036 Articles
  • 46 Followers

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