Binance Genesis Asset Sale Leaves Gopax Investors with Heavy Losses

Maxwell Mutuma
May 28, 2024
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Highlights

  • Binance sold Gopax victim asset claims at less than half their face value on May 27.
  • This sale contradicts Binance's earlier promise to compensate GoFi victims fully.
  • Binance committed to compensating investors for KRW 70 billion ($52 million) in losses caused by the GoFi service suspension.

Binance sold the asset claims of Gopax victims for less than half their value, exacerbating financial distress among investors. This action directly contradicts previous commitments to fully compensate victims of the ‘GoFi’ service, leading to significant financial repercussions as cryptocurrency values continue to rise.

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Binance Sells Gopax Claims at Deep Discount

When Binance took over Gopax, it assured investors of recovering their lost funds totaling approximately KRW 70 billion ($52 million) due to halted fund withdrawals in the ‘GoFi’ service. However, instead of utilizing its funds for compensation, Binance opted to sell the asset claims at a steep discount. This decision came at a time when cryptocurrency prices were climbing, thereby widening the financial gap suffered by creditors. Following this sale, Bitcoin (BTC) and other major cryptocurrencies saw a surge in value, further inflating the losses for Gopax’s creditors.

Additionally, an anonymous insider revealed details of the transaction to Hankyung, a local news outlet. According to this source, Binance used the proceeds from the discounted sale of Genesis claims to address only the first round of payments, which amounted to 15 billion won. The source highlighted that subsequent compensations were delayed, and promises to cover remaining claims post-acquisition still needed to be met, leaving a larger portion of the debt unresolved.

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U.S. Court Approves Genesis Bankruptcy Plan

Interestingly, a U.S. court approved Genesis‘s bankruptcy compensation plan last week. Genesis, a virtual asset deposit service linked with Gopax, has pledged to return 77% of around $3 billion in bond funds to creditors. In contrast, Gemini, another cryptocurrency exchange affected by Genesis’ issues, plans to repay 97% of its customers impacted by the bankruptcy using similar compensation funds.

This disparity has prompted criticism from various quarters, including Sunil Kavuri, a leading creditor in the FTX creditor community. Kavuri condemned the practice of selling assets at discounted rates that significantly undervalue the assets’ current market prices, citing instances where assets sold for fractions of their value appreciated significantly after that.

The manner in which Binance handled the asset claims has not only resulted in financial losses but also fostered distrust among Gopax investors. The company’s board, which includes representatives from Binance, has been accused of being opaque about the sources of funds used to compensate investors. This secrecy, coupled with the 50% discount on the sold Genesis claims, has intensified frustrations among investors.

Moreover, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of South Korea is currently reviewing an executive change report from Gopax, which includes the appointment of Binance personnel as directors. The FSC is also seeking additional information from Binance concerning allegations of money laundering and other regulatory concerns. This scrutiny comes at a critical time as the cryptocurrency market faces increased volatility and regulatory challenges globally.

Also Read: Vanguard Files Specialized Fund With Special Mention of Digital Currency

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.

Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Maxwell is a crypto-economic analyst and Blockchain enthusiast, passionate about helping people understand the potential of decentralized technology. I write extensively on topics such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, tokens, and more for many publications. My goal is to spread knowledge about this revolutionary technology and its implications for economic freedom and social good.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.