More than two years after its collapse, FTX plans to start repaying customers and creditors early in 2025. The company announced it will implement its Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization on January 3, 2025.
“We are well positioned to begin executing the distribution of recoveries back to all customers and creditors,” said FTX CEO John J. Ray III.
Repayment Timeline and Process
The first round of payments will begin within 60 days of the plan’s effective date. Customers in the “Convenience Classes,” with claims of $50,000 or less, will receive priority in the initial phase.
FTX is working with distribution agents and crypto firms, including Kraken and BitGo, to facilitate the payouts. Customers must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, establish approved accounts, and submit tax forms to qualify for their initial distributions.
The company will finalize arrangements with distribution agents in December and announce the exact reimbursement date once court approval is secured for the Disputed Claims Reserve Amount.
Customer-Centric Approach to Repayments
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey approved FTX’s $16.5 billion recovery plan in October 2024. The plan prioritizes customer claims over competing claims from government regulators.
The total recovery for creditors and customers is expected to range between $14.7 billion and $16.5 billion. The distribution will be based on the value of customer deposits as of November 2022.
FTX’s collapse in November 2022 resulted from alleged mismanagement of customer funds by founder Sam Bankman-Fried and other executives. Authorities estimate the collapse left nearly 9 million customers and investors facing significant financial losses.
Missed Opportunities in Crypto Gains
Although the repayment plan aims to return up to 119% of customer claims, these calculations reflect the U.S. dollar value of deposits from November 2022. Customers will not recover potential gains from the crypto market’s rally since the exchange’s collapse.
For instance, Bitcoin was trading at roughly $17,000 in November 2022 but has surged past $105,000 in 2024. This disparity has left some customers questioning the true value of their repayments.
A Cautious Optimism
FTX’s recovery process marks a significant step toward resolution for its customers and creditors. However, the crypto market’s volatility and the missed opportunities for growth underscore the challenges of reconciling past losses with current realities.
The distribution will test whether FTX can restore trust while closing a turbulent chapter in the crypto in
