FTX Drops Lawsuit Against FTX Europe Co-Founders
The bankrupt crypto exchange, FTX, has reached a settlement to drop a lawsuit against the original owners of FTX Europe. The lawsuit aimed at reclaiming over $323.5 million from the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange’s European unit. Moreover, the institution agreed to sell its EU assets as the settlement proceeded.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, initiated in July 2023, targeted FTX Europe co-founders Patrick Gruhn and Robin Matzke, along with Brandon Williams of Cosima Capital and Lorem Ipsum Holding UG. It alleged that FTX’s investment in FTX Europe was primarily for personal enrichment, despite the EU wing’s limited operational status at the time of purchase.
Following FTX’s bankruptcy filing in November 2022, attempts to sell FTX Europe were unsuccessful. This led to the lawsuit in an effort to recoup allegedly misappropriated funds.
Settlement Details
Under the terms of the settlement, Gruhn and Matzke have agreed to repurchase FTX Europe’s assets for $32.7 million, significantly less than the initial investment. If approved, this settlement would bring an end to the legal dispute between the parties involved.
Sale of Anthropic Stake Approved
Court documents reveal that FTX has received approval to sell its stake in AI startup Anthropic. The bankrupt crypto exchange owns approximately 7.84% of Anthropic’s shares. The request to sell this stake was initially made in February 2024 and is estimated to be worth around $1 billion.
In January 2024, FTX expressed confidence in its ability to fully reimburse its clients. Meanwhile, FTX’s founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud last year.
Hot Take: FTX Resolves Legal Disputes and Seeks Recovery
FTX’s decision to drop the lawsuit against FTX Europe co-founders marks a significant development in resolving its legal disputes. The settlement, if approved, would allow FTX to recoup some of its investment in FTX Europe.
Additionally, the approval to sell its stake in Anthropic presents an opportunity for FTX to recover funds and further strengthen its financial position. These steps indicate FTX’s commitment to resolving legal matters and working towards reimbursing its clients fully.