BlockFi emerges from bankruptcy, Worldcoin halts USDC payments and more

Crypto lender BlockFi announced its emergence from insolvency this week, just a few days after FTX announced that it successfully reclaimed approximately $7 billion in assets. FTX debtors, comprising FTX and affiliates, estimate that $8.7 billion has been misappropriated from customers. BlockFi has lent FTX more than $650 million, making it one of the exchange’s largest creditors, which means its customers’ repayment success is tied to FTX’s ability to recover its assets.

FTX’s new management is also carefully considering its future options, including selling the entire exchange — which includes its extensive customer base of over nine million — or partnering with another entity to revive the exchange. The possibility of an independent comeback is also on the table.

BlockFi, on the other hand, has no option but to wind down operations, according to its court filings.

This week’s Crypto Biz looks at BlockFi’s emergence from bankruptcy, BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) developments, and changes in Worldcoin’s payment scheme.

There’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel for creditors of some of the bankrupted companies from 2022’s crypto bear market. Roughly a year after filing for bankruptcy, companies such as FTX and BlockFi have started to return their customers’ funds.

BlackRock’s spot Bitcoin ETF now listed on Nasdaq trade clearing firm — Bloomberg analyst

The iShares spot Bitcoin ETF proposed by investment firm BlackRock has been listed on the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), suggesting potential approval by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In an Oct. 23 X (formerly Twitter) thread, Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas said the DTCC listing was “all part of the process” of bringing a crypto ETF to market. “This is [the] first spot ETF listed on DTCC, none of the others on there (yet),” said Balchunas. Balchunas speculated that BlackRock may have already received the green light for listing the ETF from the SEC or was “prepping everything assuming so.” Based on the date of BlackRock’s application, the SEC has until Jan. 10, 2024, to reach a final decision on approval or denial of the ETF.

The iShares Bitcoin Trust has been listed on the DTCC (Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, which clears NASDAQ trades). And the ticker will be $IBTC. Again all part of the process of bringing ETF to market.. h/t @martypartymusic pic.twitter.com/8PQP3h2yW0

— Eric…