Dive into the chaotic aftermath of the FTX collapse, where customers navigate the treacherous terrain of bankruptcy claims. Explore the rise and fall of the notorious crypto exchange through personal stories of loss and resilience. Discover the intriguing world of vulture investors capitalizing on risky debt. Learn about the transformation of the U.S. bankruptcy system, likened to a Serengeti of creditors. This journey reveals the complex emotional landscape faced by investors in a precarious financial ecosystem.
Customers faced distress due to FTX bankruptcy halting withdrawals.
Vulture investors profited from buying bankruptcy claims in the FTX case.
Deep dives
The Obscure Disaster of FTX
FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange, faced a significant crisis, leading to allegations of bankruptcy. Customers like Bagumshi Kanagundla found themselves in distress when withdrawals were halted, eventually resulting in bankruptcy filing. Despite initial confusion and chaos, the bankruptcy process unfolded, revealing hidden assets and potential repayments.
The Intricacies of Bankruptcy Trading
Following FTX's bankruptcy declaration, a complex ecosystem emerged around bankruptcy claims trading. Various creditor categories, including secured and unsecured creditors, were identified, each with a specific position in the payout hierarchy. Vulture investors strategically purchased bankruptcy claims in hopes of profiting from distressed companies like FTX.
The Aftermath and Potential Returns
As the FTX bankruptcy process progressed, assets were recovered and substantial gains observed in crypto markets. Creditors anticipated significant repayments, potentially receiving the full value of their claims. While some customers sold their claims early, others, like distressed investors, saw lucrative returns, reminiscent of past financial collapses like Lehman Brothers.
For the last year and a half, the story of FTX has focused largely on the crimes and punishment of Sam Bankman-Fried. But in the background, the actual customers he left behind have been caught in a financial feeding frenzy over the remains of the company.
On today's show, we do a deep dive into the anatomy of the FTX bankruptcy. We meet the vulture investors who make markets out of risky debt, and hear how customers fare in the secretive world of bankruptcy claims trading.
This episode was hosted by Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi and Amanda Aronczyk. It was produced by James Sneed and Sam Yellowhorse Kesler. It was edited by Jess Jiang, and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. It was engineered by Cena Loffredo. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.