FTX Japan allows total withdrawal of funds; users rejoice the 'escape'

While FTX customers across the world patiently await Sam Bankman-Fried’s (SBF) legal conclusion in hopes of getting back their investments, users of FTX Japan have started withdrawing all of their funds.

On Nov. 7, 2022, crypto exchange FTX and its subsidiaries halted all funds withdrawal after SBF was accused of misappropriating users’ funds. The domino effect forced Liquid Group — a Japanese crypto trading platform owned by FTX since February 2022 — to halt withdrawals on Nov. 15, 2022.

However, to some investors’ delight, FTX Japan resumed withdraws on Feb. 21 — which involved moving funds from the defunct exchange to a Liquid Japan account. Days later, a popular crypto trader from Japan @Whiskey_bonbon_ confirmed to have successfully withdrawn all of their funds.

全て出金完了！最初は正直諦めていたと言えば諦めていた気持ちもあったFTXJPの中の方々も本当に寝耳に水だった部分を知っているので、尽力には感謝申し上げたい。まだ出金されない方も辛抱強く頑張ってほしい pic.twitter.com/34v7MFznLC

— Hibiki＠Trader (@Whiskey_bonbon_) February 25, 2023

A rough translation of the above tweet reads:

“All payments completed! To be honest, at first, I felt like I had given up. I would like to express my gratitude to the people in FTXJP for their efforts, as they know the part that was really overlooked.”

Just a day after resuming funds withdrawals, FTX Japan revealed that roughly $50 million (6.6 billion yen) was taken out from Liquid Global.

While a community member responded to the development by saying, “Congratulations on your escape! ! !” many are yet to witness a total redemption of their funds. The reimbursement process is expected to come with delays due to the sheer number of users impacted by the FTX-SBF fiasco.

Numerous community members have confirmed that all their money has been paid out. However, the FTX investors watching from the rest of the world remain hopeful of a similar outcome.

Related: Sam Bankman-Fried’s lawyers request extension for bail condition proposal

Piling up on the accusations against SBF, a federal judge ordered a superseding indictment unsealed containing 12 criminal counts.

A new superseding indictment against FTX cryptocurrency exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried containing 12 charges was unsealed in Manhattan federal court https://t.co/MKmmgW7W01 pic.twitter.com/r9JVKNljDt

— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) February 23, 2023

As Cointelegraph reported, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams accused Bankman-Fried of eight conspiracy charges related to fraud as well as four charges for wire fraud and securities fraud.

SBF’s criminal trial in federal court is scheduled to begin in October, while FTX’s bankruptcy case is ongoing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.