Bitfinex Pledges a $150 Million Share Buyback to Ease Hack Victims
iFinex, the parent company of Bitfinex, is launching a $150 million share buyback to protect 2016 hack victims from regulatory scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
- iFinex initiates a $150 million share buyback to shelter 2016 hack victims from regulatory scrutiny.
- Investors can sell 15 million shares at $10 each, reflecting 9% of iFinex’s total outstanding capital.
- The buyback comes amidst escalating regulatory pressure in the crypto domain.
- Despite regulatory challenges, Bitfinex demonstrates market resilience and forges ahead in international arenas.
In a pivotal move amidst intensifying regulatory examination into the cryptocurrency sphere, iFinex, the parent company of Bitfinex, has declared a $150 million share buyback. This strategic decision aims to safeguard victims of the notorious 2016 Bitfinex hack and gain augmented control over the firm’s operations while navigating the swelling tides of regulatory inspections.
scoop: Bitfinex’s owner iFinex is launching a $150m share buyback scheme which will give it greater control over how the crypto exchange deals with upcoming regulation.
iFinex shares execs with Tether, who will be able to cash out their holdings via the deal. story on web 🔜 pic.twitter.com/ZEcZydQBhG
— Emily Nicolle (@emilyjnicolle) October 10, 2023
Bitfinex Helps Hack Victims
Domiciled in Hong Kong, iFinex Inc., intertwining directorial boards with Tether Holdings Ltd., a prominent stablecoin issuer, put forth an offer on September 22 to repurchase 15 million shares at $10 per share from its shareholders. This offer, encapsulating roughly 9% of iFinex’s total outstanding capital, thereby places the company’s valuation at a notable $1.7 billion. The execution of this deal hinges upon iFinex garnering a financial boost from one of its subsidiaries, as indicated in the proposal.
This offer caters to shareholders who procured iFinex stock via a 2016 swap arrangement with the investment platform BnkToTheFuture, following a hack that pilfered approximately $71 million in Bitcoin from Bitfinex (now valued at about $3.3 billion). In a bid to recompense affected users, Bitfinex distributed BFX tokens, which were subsequently swapped for iFinex shares through BnkToTheFuture.
A slew of directors from iFinex and its subsidiaries will participate in the buyback. According to a statement issued to Bloomberg, iFinex highlighted that the buyback decision was spurred by the company’s “positive performance” in recent years.
iFinex elucidates that this divestment allows investors to mitigate escalating pressures to supply information, which is integral for the Bitfinex Group’s regulatory applications, and to navigate through surging scrutiny. Furthermore, it offers an avenue for investors to withdraw from an investment that currently experiences liquidity challenges.
Concluding Thoughts
iFinex’s share buyback strategy punctuates a key moment for investors and the broader crypto market, symbolizing an intersection between corporate accountability and regulatory compliance. In the context of burgeoning regulatory pressures, the measure ostensibly endeavors to provide a shield to the victims of the 2016 hack from additional scrutiny and potential liabilities. Moreover, it portrays a pathway that other crypto entities might traverse in the future to balance investor protection, regulatory compliance, and corporate interests amidst an evolving digital asset landscape.
The landscape encapsulating cryptocurrencies, and platforms like Bitfinex, continuously melds with regulatory frameworks. The dynamic between safeguarding investor interests, navigating through regulatory frameworks, and ensuring sustainable operations in the crypto market will undoubtedly continue to unfold, necessitating vigilant observation and adaptive strategies from both entities and investors alike.
