The embattled crypto lending platform Celsius has kept withdrawals and transfers frozen since June 12 and told the Celsius Network community that the “process will take time.” Since then, Celsius users are wondering why they are still receiving weekly rewards, and reportedly the company’s management has been arguing with its lawyers over whether or not the business should file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. However, most of the Celsius articles these days are quoting ‘people familiar with the matter,’ and ultimately these sources cannot be verified.
Celsius Customer Says It Is ‘Insulting’ That the Lending Company is Still Paying Weekly Rewards
Celsius, a crypto lending platform, told its customers 16 days ago that it had stopped swaps, transfers and withdrawals. It did not mention a date when they would resume services. Celsius has been rumored to be in financial trouble and possibly bankrupt.
Last week it was reported by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that the company was seeking restructuring advice from the advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal. Another report that followed claimed that Goldman Sachs was allegedly looking to buy distressed assets from the firm “at potentially big discounts in the event of a bankruptcy filing.”
Simon Dixon, Bnktothefuture’s CEO, wrote that he was still receiving weekly rewards from his company despite having had all of his withdrawals frozen on June 27. “Email on one of my accounts,” Dixon wrote. “Can’t withdraw but Celsius Network [is]Still paying. I’m curious if you think the rewards should still be coming? Thoughts?” Dixon added.
Some in the crypto community called weekly reward dispersal offensive. “This is honestly insulting, Celsius Network is still paying weekly rewards while holding my crypto hostage,” an individual tweetedTomorrow is Monday.
Some users wanted to know whether there are any Onchain Activities arising from the Celsius Network, or if capital has been transferred. “Is anyone still keeping up with Celsius Network’s onchain activities of their funds? If they still paying down their loan/moving capital etc…,” one person wroteFollow us on Twitter.
An additional person mentioned it was likely a legal chess move by Celsius’s management. “They’re likely still “paying” rewards because if they stop, they violate their terms of service (contract) and then have no lawful reason to hold your funds in earn any longer,” the individual tweeted on Monday.
Sources Say Celsius Is Arguing With Lawyers About Filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy — Most Celsius Articles Over the Last Week Quote ‘People With Knowledge of the Situation’
On the same day, a report from the theblock.co’s reporter Andrew Rummer says that Celsius’s lawyers want the company to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Rummer’s report notes that the company has been against the proposition to file Chapter 11, which is one of the most expensive routes of bankruptcy available.
The reporter’s source stems from “people with knowledge of the situation,” and this has been an ongoing trend as far as Celsius news is concerned. People familiar with the issue have been quoted in many reports by publications such as theblock.co, Bloomberg and the WSJ.
For instance, the WSJ claimed people familiar with the matter said that Celsius was working with the restructuring law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. However, not too long after that report, the WSJ quoted individuals with knowledge of the situation again and noted that Celsius was seeking advice from the restructuring advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal.
It was the theblock.co that wrote about Celsius looking for help from the financial giant Citigroup when The Block author, Yogita Khatri, quoted two sources “familiar with the matter.” Moreover, it was the crypto publication Coindesk that reported on Goldman Sachs looking to buy distressed assets from Celsius. That information derived from “two people familiar with the matter,” according to Coindesk author Tracy Wang.
The Block’s Rummer said his sources claim that Celsius has been “prevented from making any public pronouncements due to legal advice.” The sources claimed that Celsius Network users would prefer an alternative to bankruptcy proceedings.
“To that end, users can show their support by engaging ‘HODL Mode‘ in their Celsius account, said the people,” Rummer wrote on Monday. It is difficult to know what Celsius actually does to address its problems because of all the information available, including anonymous sources and people who are familiar with it.
People are likely inclined to wait for Celsius’s official statements as most everything else has been hearsay and speculation. However, it is not certain when Celsius will address the customer issues. Customers have to wait until then to get any information from those who are knowledgeable about the matter.
Do you agree with the most recent Celsius reports? Do you think people ‘familiar with the matter’ sources are legitimate? We’d love to hear your views on Celsius in the comments below.
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