SBF tried to destabilize crypto market to save FTX: Report

Published at: Dec. 10, 2022

Tether executives and Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao worried that Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), former FTX CEO, was attempting to destabilize the crypto market aiming to save the now-bankrupt exchange, according to reports on Dec. 9.

Messages seen by The Wall Street Journal of a Signal group chat named "Exchange coordination" reveals an argument between CZ and SBF on Nov. 10 about Tether's stablecoin USDT. Members in the Signal group include Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell, Paolo Ardoino, chief technology officer of Tether, among others.

According to the report, CZ and others in the group worried that trades made by Alameda Research were focusing on depeg the stablecoin, which would have a ripple effect in crypto prices. Binance CEO reportedly confronted SBF:

“Stop trying to depeg stablecoins. And stop doing anything. Stop now, don’t cause more damage.”

SBF denied the claims in a statement to the WSJ.

The alleged argument on the Signal group happened a day after Binance announced that it wouldn't bail out its troubled competitor FTX, citing “reports regarding mishandled customer funds and alleged US agency investigations.” On Nov. 10, Tether's Ardoino also said the company have no “plans to invest or lend money to FTX/Alameda.”

As reported by Cointelegraph, new details about the failed agreement between Binance and FTX were revealed on Dec. 9. In a twitter thread, CZ referred to Bankman-Fried as a “fraudster,” saying Binance exited its position in FTX in July 2021 after becoming “increasingly uncomfortable with Alameda/SBF.” SBF was “unhinged” at the exchange pulling out, according to Binance's CEO.

In response, SBF claimed that Binance “threatened to walk at the last minute”, accusing CZ of lying about his role in the deal.

On Nov 11, FTX Group and nearly 130 companies - including FTX Trading, FTX US, under West Realm Shires Services, and Alameda Research - filed for bankruptcy in the United States citing a "liquidity crunch”.

Since FTX's bankruptcy, SBF has been named in seven class action lawsuits and numerous probes and investigations, including a market manipulation probe by federal prosecutors.

Tags
Business
Cryptocurrency Exchange
Binance
Tether
Ftx
Related Posts
Binance CEO shares 'two big lessons' after FTX's liquidity crunch
Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has shared his take on "two big lessons" to be learned from the FTX saga, saying cryptocurrency firms shouldn’t use their own tokens as collateral and should also keep “large reserves.” In a Nov. 8 tweet, Zhao laid out two learnings after the significant “liquidity crunch” at FTX which has ultimately resulted in a non-binding letter of intent from Binance to acquire the struggling exchange. Two big lessons: 1: Never use a token you created as collateral. 2: Don’t borrow if you run a crypto business. Don't use capital "efficiently". Have a large reserve. Binance …
Bitcoin / Nov. 9, 2022
Binance’s victory over FTX means more users moving away from centralized exchanges
Based on the joint statements on Twitter this week from Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao and FTX CEO Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried, it seems clear that FTX has serious solvency problems — so dire that few in the market are willing to save it. As a result, FTX is turning to CZ as a prospective buyer. After CZ exposed FTX’s problems earlier in the week by announcing his plan to dump $500 million of its FTX Token (FTT) on the market, the companies said on Nov. 8 that they had entered into a nonbinding agreement for Binance to purchase FTX. It’s …
Business / Nov. 9, 2022
Binance CEO urges crypto buyers to 'hold' amid 'unpredictableness'
Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has strongly advised cash-strapped and inexperienced investors to stay away from trading cryptocurrencies amid extreme market volatility and unpredictability. On a Nov. 14 Zhao-led “Ask Me Anything” Twitter space hosted by Binance the CEO suggested that unsophisticated investors wait out the turbulent period instead of risking money needed for living expenses: “You should not invest in crypto if you're using money that you need for next week or next month, you should only be using discretionary cash that you don't need for a long time, like maybe a couple of years.” For those who do …
Adoption / Nov. 15, 2022
Binance, OKX and Bybit suspend USDT and USDC deposits on Solana
Binance crypto exchange announced on Nov. 17 that deposits of Solana-based USDT and USDC have been “temporarily suspended until further notice” on the platform. The exchange referred to the tokens as “USDT (SOL)” and “USDC (SOL),” as USDT and USDC stablecoins remain available for deposits on Binance on other blockchains. Binance did not provide more information on the measure, adding that Binance “reserves the right in its sole discretion to amend or change or cancel this announcement at any time and for any reasons without prior notice.” Other exchanges, including OKX and ByBit, are also among the platforms delisting Solana-based …
Altcoin / Nov. 17, 2022
Only 1% of people can handle crypto self-custody right now: Binance CEO
Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has cautioned the crypto community about self-custody, suggesting that 99% of people choosing to self-custody their crypto will likely lose it one way or another. CZ has been been a supporter of self-custody for years, referring to its as a “fundamental human right” but has always urged users to “do it right.” He published a “CZ’s Tips” on self-storing crypto in Feb. 2020. During a recent Binance-run Twitter Spaces on Dec. 14, the Binance CEO continued to urge caution for those using self-custody wallets — suggesting that more often than not, security keys are not …
Adoption / Dec. 15, 2022