Ripple CTO Explains Why Celsius Sued Users Who Pulled Funds Ahead Bankruptcy

As a long-term crypto investor with a background in finance and law, I find myself deeply concerned about the recent turn of events at Celsius Network. The news that they have initiated lawsuits against users who withdrew funds prior to their bankruptcy filing has sparked widespread controversy within the community.


As a researcher delving into the latest developments in the crypto sphere, I’ve noticed a significant stir in the community surrounding Celsius Network. The company is under fire for filing lawsuits against users who withdrew their funds before its bankruptcy declaration. In response to this controversy, David Schwartz, Ripple‘s esteemed Chief Technology Officer, has shared his perspective on the issue. Additionally, he provided some insight into potential reasons why Celsius might have resorted to such drastic measures.

Ripple CTO On Celsius’ Latest Move

As a researcher, I’ve come across claims from a user on X that Celsius Network has filed lawsuits against numerous individuals in New York courts. This user voiced their displeasure by sharing, “Celsius Network has initiated legal action against me and countless others… due to our decision to withdraw our funds 90 days prior to their bankruptcy declaration.”

As an analyst, I would explain it this way: The heart of the matter revolves around the idea known as “clawback.” This term refers to the ability of bankrupt companies to reclaim funds that were withdrawn by users within a specified timeframe prior to the filing for bankruptcy protection. In this instance, the relevant timeframe is 90 days. Ripple’s CTO, Schwartz, has defended such actions in certain circumstances, specifically when discussing the non-existent “profits” that some users may have claimed during that period.

The Ripple CTO remarked, “If you took out unrealized or nonexistent profits from your account, then you didn’t withdraw your own funds.” In response to this statement, a user expressed their indignation towards the situation by saying, “Attempt at recovering funds for those who withdrew within 90 days of filing for bankruptcy. This behavior is shameful.”

Schwartz sought to understand the distinction by questioning, “Are they attempting to recover non-existent ‘gains’ or the initial principal investment?” However, it was revealed during further conversation that Celsius aims to retrieve both the profits and the principal amount withdrawn within the last 90 days. The original post mentioned, “They initially demanded a settlement of 27% of all principal, which seemed like an obvious scam.”

As an analyst, I can tell you that Schwartz’s position is unmistakable: in schemes of this nature, those who withdrew their initial investments typically aren’t targeted unless there’s compelling evidence indicating they had insider knowledge or relationships. Furthermore, the repercussions of this lawsuit on users have been profound.

The Other Perspective

As an analyst, I’ve noticed that some individuals within the crypto community express concern over the exorbitant demands made in these legal actions. They worry that such requests could potentially wipe out their entire net worth. Another user raised a valid question: if authorities are claiming that these assets were illegally obtained, why would they allow those accused to keep any profits derived from them?

As a crypto investor, I’d interpret the Ripple CTO’s recent statement this way: “I want to clarify my stance on the current situation. In my view, the losses incurred by users are not justifiable. Instead, they result from Celsius’ deceitful actions. It’s unfair for blameless parties to bear the brunt of these costs. Why should we, the victims, suffer the additional burden of covering a free option that was never consented to?”

As a analyst, I can tell you that the lawsuits bring about significant consequences, both financially and emotionally. The original speaker detailed their emotional distress caused by these lawsuits, along with the hefty legal bills they must pay. “I’m forced to shell out thousands just to hire an attorney,” they expressed sadly.

Prominent crypto figures such as Brian Armstrong of Coinbase and Justin Sun from TRON are under scrutiny as they’ve been requested to assist users involved in ongoing lawsuits. Furthermore, ZachXBT, a well-known cryptocurrency investigator, has also been enlisted for help. The resolution of these legal cases could establish a substantial precedent for the crypto industry.

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2024-07-06 10:12