Celsius Bankruptcy: Over $2.53 Billion Distributed to Creditors Amid Ongoing Legal Battles Over Bitcoin

• The Celsius bankruptcy proceedings have led to significant payouts for creditors, exceeding $2.53 billion.
• This distribution has primarily involved liquid cryptocurrencies and cash, based on prices from January 16.
• A notable detail is that approximately two-thirds of the creditors have now been compensated, closing out 93% of the total owed.

This article examines the recent developments in the Celsius bankruptcy case, highlighting key payouts and ongoing legal challenges, while analyzing implications for the crypto market.

Celsius Begins Distributing Payments to Creditors

Celsius, the once-prominent crypto lending platform, has made notable strides in its bankruptcy restructuring by distributing over $2.53 billion to approximately 251,000 creditors. According to official statements, these payments comprised both liquid cryptocurrencies and cash, benchmarked against the January 16 market prices. This marks a significant step in alleviating the financial impact on affected creditors.

Majority of Creditors Compensated, Some Still Await Payments

The company’s latest reports reveal that roughly two-thirds of all creditors have received payment. This represents about 93% of the total anticipated disbursements, underscoring Celsius’s commitment to resolving its obligations swiftly. However, court documents indicate that around 121,000 creditors remain unpaid, with an average outstanding amount of $1,500. Interestingly, a high percentage of these remaining creditors—approximately 64,000—are entitled to distributions of less than $100, while about 41,000 are owed between $100 and $1,000. Celsius speculates that the minimal amounts owed may deter these creditors from filing claims.

American Bankruptcy Court Approves New Plan

Celsius’s bankruptcy proceedings experienced a pivotal moment with the approval of a restructuring plan in November. This plan is designed to facilitate over $3 billion in payments to creditors, further demonstrating the court’s support for restoring order within the company. Under this plan, Celsius aims to reconstruct operations as MiningCo, providing a new pathway for recovery and potential profitability.

Global Payments to Creditors and Legal Entanglements with Tether

The restructuring process not only focuses on creditor reimbursements but also involves governance changes that affect around 375,000 creditors across more than 165 countries. Payments will be made in various forms, including cryptocurrencies, cash, and common stock to ensure a comprehensive settlement process. Additionally, Celsius recently requested that the bankruptcy court compel Tether to relinquish approximately $3.3 billion worth of Bitcoin. Tether has labeled this request as “extortion” and has indicated plans to contest the claim legally, which could add another layer of complexity to the ongoing proceedings.

Conclusion

In summary, the ongoing Celsius bankruptcy saga continues to evolve as significant sums are distributed to creditors, while others await resolution of their claims. The approval of a new restructuring plan indicates a move toward stabilization for the company, although challenges involving legal disputes, particularly with Tether, may influence future payouts and the overall sentiment surrounding the case. As this situation unfolds, industry stakeholders will be keenly observing the implications for the broader cryptocurrency landscape.