Genesis Reaches Restructuring Deal to Maximize Recoveries for Creditors

Summary of Article:

  • Genesis Global Trading has reached a restructuring agreement with its key creditors.
  • The deal includes a second lien term loan facility maturing in June 2024.
  • Gemini will contribute up to $100 million more for the recovery of Earn users affected by Genesis’ collapse.

Restructuring Agreement Reached with Key Creditors

Genesis, a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, has reached a restructuring agreement with key creditors according to statements by Cleary Gottlieb attorney Sean O’Neal, representing Genesis. It would see the sale of Genesis Global Trading, amongst other moves designed to “maximize the recoveries to the estate.”

Second Lien Term Loan Facility

Also included in the deal will be restructurings of the debt that Digital Currency Group, who owns Genesis and its entities, owes to Genesis Holdco, which was one of the legal entities that previously filed for Chapter 11 protection. These terms include a second lien term loan facility with a maturation date of June 2024. According to O’Neal, within the plan there will be two tranches, one dominated in U.S. dollars that will pay 11.5% interest and another denominated in bitcoin that will pay 5% interest. O’Neal also detailed that DCG has agreed to issue a type of convertible preferred stock, however the specifics of this issuance are still being determined.

Freezing Withdrawals Due To Contagion From FTX Collapse

The lending arm of Genesis was forced to halt withdrawals in November 2022 after the contagion from the collapse of crypto exchange FTX earlier that same month. The company filed for bankruptcy last month, with its lawyers stating then that they anticipate reaching a deal with creditors by the end of January 2023.

Gemini Investing To Recover Earn Users Affected By Collapse

Genesis’ collapse also led to freezing withdrawals for Gemini Earn users, who received yield through arrangements with Genesis’ lending arm. Cameron Winklevoss President of Gemini had previously expressed his displeasure at the situation through letter posted on Twitter addressing these issues. During hearing today he tweeted that Gemini will contribute up to $100 million more for recovery for Earn users who still do not have access to their funds

Conclusion

This restructuring agreement is an important step forward as it would allow Genesis entities and creditors alike maximize their returns while allowing users access back into their funds through investments made by Gemini into recovering these user’s funds