Celsius Networks (“Celsius”) became the latest cryptocurrency platform to raise market temperatures by halting all withdrawals, swaps and transfers from and between its customers’ accounts on June 12, 2022. Celsius touted a next wave of “unbanking,” operating a lending platform allowing the holders of digital assets the opportunity to earn a significantly high returns on those assets. Due, in part, to the lack of regulation, Celsius, and other firms like it, retain wide discretion to use of their customers’ assets and, among other things lend those assets to other platforms at higher rates, enter into complex swap and option transactions that bet on price movements, enter into repo or other lending arrangement to increase yield, or invest in other cryptocurrency projects, all without regulatory constraint. Indeed, it was this broad discretion that led, in part, to the downfall of a similarly situated platform, Cred, Inc., and its ultimate bankruptcy discussed here on Crypto Digest.Continue Reading Celsius Networks’ Warnings Highlight Crypto Bankruptcy Risks
Insolvency
Crowell & Moring partner Paul Muscutt comments in Economia on the reintroduction of crown preference
In the latest edition of Economia, Crowell & Moring Restructuring partner Paul Muscutt comments on the reintroduction of crown preference and the impact that may have on lending.
The article can be found here.
Crowell & Moring London – “A New Force in Asset-Based Lending” – feature in Business Money Magazine
The London ABL and Restructuring team at Crowell & Moring feature in this month’s Business Magazine, following their arrival earlier in 2019 from the London office of Squire Patton Boggs.
The article comments on the growth of the London team, its approach to market and how the new team differentiates itself from the rest…
Breathing space for individuals facing debt issues
In the following article published by Lexis Nexis/LNB News on 19 June, Cathryn Williams, restructuring partner at the London office of Crowell & Moring, comments on the introduction of “breathing space” for those individuals facing debts issues in the UK.
Continue Reading Breathing space for individuals facing debt issues
Steel yourselves – troubles ahead?
British Steel has entered compulsory liquidation today with EY being appointed as special managers. Is British Steel the first real victim of Brexit? First, as a result of the delay in the UK’s divorce deal, the EU delayed granting carbon credits to British Steel necessitating a £120m loan from the government to stave off significant penalties in relation to its emissions targets. The directors now cite “Brexit-related issues” as the reasons for the failure of the business, with the on-going uncertainty over future tariffs and trading terms resulting in the company’s order book from Europe falling off a cliff.
Continue Reading Steel yourselves – troubles ahead?