FTX Founders & Executives Receive Billions, Raising Concerns Over Recovery

Cryptocurrency exchange FTX Trading Ltd and its affiliated debtors have submitted their Schedules of Assets and Liabilities and Statements of Financial Affairs for all entities involved in their Chapter 11 proceedings. It disclosed its financial affairs, revealing payments and loans made to its founders. 

According to the press release, the documents show that FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried received $2.2 billion, with Nishad Singh and Zixiao “Gary” Wang also receiving significant payments of $587 million and $246 million, respectively. 

The figures offer a snapshot of the exchange’s financial position at the time of filing and raise questions about the exchange’s ability to recover. 

Additionally, Ryan Salame is also said to have received a whopping $87 million, while John Samuel Trabucco took home $25 million, and Caroline Ellison walked away with $6 million. 

The press release also claimed that these stated amounts don’t include expenses of over $240 million used for purchasing luxury properties in the Bahamas. Additionally, direct political and charitable donations made by the exchange Debtors and significant transfers to non-Debtor subsidiaries in other jurisdictions. 

While some of the properties are now under the control of the FTX Debtors or cooperating authorities, the eventual monetary recoveries and timing are unknown. The FTX Debtors are looking into potential legal action against those who received these transfers and subsequent transfers.

FTX Debtors have cautioned stakeholders against using their Schedules and SOFAs to estimate recoveries on claims. The reason is that they were prepared under Chapter 11 rules and did not comply with standard accounting principles. 

Thereby not providing a comprehensive view of their assets and liabilities. According to the press release, the debtors are actively working to identify all transfers, assets, and liabilities, including intercompany claims among their subsidiaries.

FTX CEO Accused Of Embezzlement & Facing Federal Charges

The prominent face and CEO of FTX, SBF, is currently facing a slew of federal charges related to the collapse of FTX. He is being accused of securities fraud and embezzlement of funds from the platform for personal gain. 

As for now, SBF was revealed to have received an impressive sum of $2.2 billion, which excludes $240 million allocated for “luxury property in the Bahamas,” “political and charitable donations,” and “substantial transfers” to its subsidiaries, it remains to be seen what impact these revelations will have on FTX’s future. 

Although it was once valued at $40 billion, FTX has faced a challenging year. SBF pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently detained at their parents’ residence in California. His trial is scheduled for October.

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