- Binance is relaunching its bid to acquire Voyager Digital, a bankrupt crypto lending platform.
- Binance had tried to acquire Voyager at an auction back in September, but was outbid by FTX US.
- Voyager said that they were in “active discussions with several alternative bidders”.
Binance will relaunch its bid to acquire Voyager Digital, a bankrupt crypto lending platform, a person familiar with the matter told CoinDesk.
Voyager reopened bidding for a takeover after its $1.4 billion deal with FTX US fell through due to FTX’s bankruptcy.
Binance, the biggest crypto exchange by trading volume, tried to acquire Voyager at an auction back in September. However, FTX US, a subsidiary of the FTX exchange, outbid Binance’s offer.
Binance is not the only company that wants to acquire Voyager. Earlier today, Voyager tweeted that they are in “active discussions with several alternative bidders.”
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Voyagers, in light of recent events and reports regarding FTX US, the customer vote will be canceled and the proposed sale will not move forward. We are in active discussions with several alternative bidders.We will keep you updated on reorganization efforts.In addition to Binance, financial services company Wave Financial and crypto exchange Cross Tower are also reportedly interested in buying the bankrupt lending platform.— Voyager (@investvoyager) November 16, 2022
Earlier, Voyager Digital issued a press release saying that they are in active discussion with several potential buyers. They said that they are working on a reorganization plan with the “core objective” of “maximizing the value returned to customers and other creditors.”
Voyager’s native VGX token jumped 50% after the news of Binance’s acquisition broke. The token is currently trading at $0.41, up almost 50% in the last 24 hours.
Binance’s Crypto Recovery Fund
Following the FTX collapse, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) announced the formation of a crypto recovery fund to help the crypto projects that are impacted.
"To reduce further cascading negative effects of FTX, Binance is forming an industry recovery fund, to help projects who are otherwise strong, but in a liquidity crisis," CZ wrote in a tweet. He also invited other industry players to contribute to the fund.
To reduce further cascading negative effects of FTX, Binance is forming an industry recovery fund, to help projects who are otherwise strong, but in a liquidity crisis. More details to come soon. In the meantime, please contact Binance Labs if you think you qualify. 1/2— CZ Binance (@cz_binance) November 14, 2022
Voyager Collapse and Three Arrows Capital
Voyager Digital’s troubles started with the collapse of the Singapore-based crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC). The $10 billion hedge fund employed risky trading strategies and was one of the casualties of the drop in crypto prices. The fund failed to meet its margin call and collapsed.
Subsequently, Voyager Digital revealed that it had $661 million exposure to 3AC, which threatened to wipe out the company. In July, Voyager would file for bankruptcy itself and open bids for a takeover.
Both Binance and FTX placed their bids to take over Voyager Digital following the collapse of 3AC. Ultimately, FTX secured the $1.4 billion deal. However, FTX itself would go under a few months later, before finalizing the deal.
On the Flipside
- Binance has not yet confirmed that it intends to buy the platform. Voyager Digital declined to respond to news inquiries on any of the potential offers.
Why You Should Care
Voyager Digital is one of the dominos that fell due to too much leverage in the crypto markets, together with 3AC and Terra-Luna. If Voyager goes under, other crypto projects will be affected.
All about Binance’s Crypto Recovery Fund:
Binance is Forming a Recovery Fund to Assist Projects Experiencing Liquidity Issues
Learn more about FTX’s bid for Voyager:
FTX Wins Voyager Digital Asset Auction to Buy the Crypto Lender for $1.4 Billion