Celsius Revamp Plan Hits Speed Bump With SEC: Source

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission wants more information about the assets of the former crypto lender, which is reorganizing through bankruptcy, a person familiar with the matter said.

AccessTimeIconNov 20, 2023 at 3:58 p.m. UTC
Updated Mar 8, 2024 at 5:23 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

An ambitious plan to form a new crypto services business from the ashes of bankrupt lender Celsius has run into a speed bump with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a person familiar with the situation.

A "back and forth" regarding information around assets held by the Celsius estate is taking place between the SEC, the Celsius Creditors Committee and Fahrenheit, an investment vehicle that won a bidding contest in May of this year to issue shares in a new crypto business built upon the bankrupt lender's remaining assets, the source told CoinDesk.

  • What's the Best Book for Beginners About Bitcoin?
    00:59
    What's the Best Book for Beginners About Bitcoin?
  • CZ's 'Good Guy' Reputation; Money Laundering Risks of Crypto
    02:22
    CZ's 'Good Guy' Reputation; Money Laundering Risks of Crypto
  • Web3 Projects Have Lost More Than $401M to Hackers in 2024: Immunefi
    01:00
    Web3 Projects Have Lost More Than $401M to Hackers in 2024: Immunefi
  • CZ's 4-Month Sentence Seems 'Minimal' for the Crime Committed: Legal Expert
    06:24
    CZ's 4-Month Sentence Seems 'Minimal' for the Crime Committed: Legal Expert
  • "My understanding is that [the SEC] asked for more information to make a determination," the person said. "The way I'm interpreting it is the SEC is telling the committee what they want to see for various parts of the business, and now the committee has to decide what they're going to do with that information."

    Investment vehicle Fahrenheit, which includes Arrington Capital, U.S. Bitcoin Corp., and Proof Group, gained approval for its reorganization plan from a bankruptcy court earlier this month.

    Fahrenheit's now-stalled plan for Celsius involved distributing some $2 billion worth of bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum's ether (ETH) to creditors, as well as equity in a new company. The new entity would run and further build out the Celsius bitcoin mining operations, stake Ethereum, monetize other illiquid assets and develop new business opportunities, according to a filing.

    The approved backup plan if that falls through: winding down and liquidating Celsius' assets.

    Neither Fahrenheit nor the Celsius Creditor Committee responded to requests for comment. The SEC declined to comment.

    Edited by Nick Baker.

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Ian Allison

    Ian Allison is an award-winning senior reporter at CoinDesk. He holds ETH.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.



    Read more about