In November 2022, the crypto exchange FTX rocked the industry with the news it had declared bankruptcy, and its CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, resigned. The fall came when FTX’s rival and the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, withdrew from a plan to purchase the firm. The collapse of FTX shocked the volatile crypto market, which lost billions at the moment, plunging below a $1 trillion valuation. The fallout from this disaster is still felt throughout the market as crypto investors struggle to understand what happened and why. Let’s dive in to discuss how FTX collapsed and what to do about it.
Introduction to FTX
FTX is one of the major cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Customers can exchange digital currencies for traditional wealthy elites or other digital currencies, and vice versa. It is based in the Bahamas and managed by Sam Bankman-Fried. It has spent millions of dollars pushing US lawmakers to enact crypto-friendly legislation. Early on, the company used risky trading options not authorized in the United States. The cryptocurrency business has long been the object of regulatory scrutiny on Capitol Hill and worldwide.
What Became of FTX?
The fall of FTX occurred over a ten-day period in November 2022. On November 2nd, a report by crypto news outlet CoinDesk showed that Alameda Research, the quant trading firm founded by Bankman- Fried, had a position valued at $5 billion in FTT, the native currency of FTX.
According to the research, Alameda’s investment foundation was likewise in FTT, the token that its sister business had created, rather than a ruling currency or another cryptocurrency. Firms around the crypto sector noted the concealed power and solvency of Bankman-Fried’s companies.
Binance backed out of a pact to save rival crypto exchange FTX
Binance canceled its agreement to provide Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX with financial rescue, citing concerns about its business operations and investigations by US financial regulators. The decision came only a day after Binance, one of the world’s largest crypto trading platforms, informally agreed to acquire FTX due to a liquidity crisis. “As a consequence of business due diligence, as well as recent press stories mentioning mismanaged client resources and disputed US division investigations, we’ve determined that we will not shadow the implicit accession of FTX.com,” Binance declared in a statement late in November 2022.
Why is the cryptocurrency market so volatile?
The Cryptocurrency Market: where tremendous price fluctuations make even a roller coaster ride seem mild. Anything and everything influences market sentiment. In the case of cryptocurrency, an additional element is that it is a new and emerging market with a fundamentally different nature from previous stock markets. A decentralized market was an unfathomable thought ten years ago. Although it is becoming more popular, the community size is still rising. So, more than crypto fundamentals, Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO), terror, and uncertainty influence the crypto market mood. However, projected to wane with time—the influence of more government controls on the market is yet to happen.
The Need for Better Regulation and Oversight
The collapse of FTX had a domino effect on the crypto market as a whole, with many other exchanges and crypto assets also experiencing significant losses. Partly due to the crypto market’s interconnectedness, traders and investors tend to move their capital from one exchange or asset to another in search of the best returns.
However, the collapse of FTX also highlighted the need for better regulation and oversight in the crypto market. Many investors and traders have been calling for more stringent regulations to prevent similar crises from happening in the future, including better oversight of exchanges and their operations and more transparency and disclosure around the risks and rewards of trading in the crypto market.
Crypto Market Influencing Factors
Cryptocurrencies are volatile, and the crypto market is no different. Cryptocurrency values may change considerably over short periods, and various variables, including economic circumstances, government laws, media attention, and more, can contribute to this volatility.
- Economic situation
Inflation, interest rates, and unemployment may all impact the cryptocurrency market. People may be more likely to invest in cryptocurrencies to hedge against inflation, for example, if inflation is high.
- Government rules and regulations
Government laws may have a considerable influence on the cryptocurrency industry. For example, if governments implement stringent rules on the usage of cryptocurrencies, it may dissuade individuals from using them, causing the market to fall.
- Fears about security
The demise of FTX was the final nail in the coffin. For a lengthy period, this has resulted in a bleeding crypto market. One of the primary worries for cryptocurrency investors is the fragility of smart contracts.
Conclusion: Moving Forward with a More Stable and Secure Crypto Market
In conclusion, the collapse of FTX was a harsh reminder of the volatility and risk inherent in the crypto market. However, it is also an opportunity for the market to learn from its mistakes and to move forward with better regulations and oversight to prevent similar crises from happening. The crypto market is growing, with much room for growth and innovation. With the right approach and regulations in place, the crypto market can continue to mature and evolve into a more stable and secure investment option for traders and investors.
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