Contrary to circulating rumors, the FTX bankruptcy estate will not begin distributing reimbursement payments to creditors and customers on September 30, 2024. The plan for distribution is still awaiting court approval, and no funds will be distributed until the restructuring plan is confirmed.
Court Hearing Scheduled for October 7
The FTX bankruptcy estate, which is handling claims amounting to over $11 billion, has scheduled the next Chapter 11 court hearing for October 7, 2024. The case will be presided over by Judge John T. Dorsey in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Only after this hearing, and upon approval of the restructuring plan, will distribution timelines be confirmed.
If the plan moves forward, smaller claimants — those with claims under $50,000 — may start receiving their distributions by late 2024. However, larger claimants will likely have to wait until early to mid-2025 for reimbursement, depending on the complexity of their claims.
Creditor Opposition to the Current Plan
FTX creditors, led by Sunil Kavuri, have raised multiple objections to the proposed reorganization. One of the central issues involves the method of reimbursement. Many creditors prefer in-kind payments (reimbursement in assets such as cryptocurrencies), which would allow them to recover a larger portion of their holdings. They argue that cash payments, as stipulated by the plan, could result in taxable events and further financial losses.
FTX’s legal team, however, contends that payments must be made in cash to comply with Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws. Distributing assets like cryptocurrency could complicate the legal process and introduce additional risks.
Distribution Based on Bitcoin’s Previous Value
One of the contentious aspects of the distribution plan is the date used to calculate asset values. Under the current plan, reimbursements would be based on the value of Bitcoin at the time the legal petition was filed, when it was trading around $16,000. This would mean creditors and former customers would receive only about 25% of the value of their original holdings, as Sunil Kavuri noted in an interview. This has fueled further frustration and opposition among creditors who feel shortchanged by the proposed distribution structure.
Potential Market Impact
Despite the delays and disagreements surrounding the reimbursement process, market analysts believe that the eventual distribution of funds could have a positive impact on the broader cryptocurrency market. Markus Thielen, founder of 10x Research, suggests that FTX’s payouts could inject anywhere between $5 billion and $8 billion into the crypto market. This influx of capital could boost demand and potentially drive up cryptocurrency prices.
What’s Next?
The key date to watch is October 7, 2024, when the court will review the reorganization plan. Until the plan is approved, no distribution payments will be made. Even after approval, the timeline for payouts will depend on the claimant’s status and the complexity of their case. Smaller claimants may see reimbursements by year-end, but larger ones will likely have to wait until 2025.
