Part One of this two-part article reviewed custodially held crypto assets as part of the bankruptcy estate. This installment discusses intrinsic value as a proper valuation method for crypto assets held in exchange custody, factors to consider when calculating the intrinsic value of custodially held crypto assets, and risk-mitigation approaches to preserve asset value.
Chapter 7 panel trustees play an integral role in the bankruptcy system and perform a number of duties to effectively liquidate an estate for a debtor’s discharge. One of the trustee’s most important duties is to “collect and reduce to money the property of the estate ... and close such estate as expeditiously as is compatible with the best interests of parties in interest.” [1] Chapter 7 trustees must also investigate the financial affairs of the debtor and evaluate any potential assets. [2]
Popular cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase surprised many in its first 2022 quarterly report when it informed customers that “custodially held crypto assets may be considered to be the property of a bankruptcy estate, in the event of a bankruptcy,...
The Hawaii Bankruptcy Court’s ruling in In re Minesen Co. [1] is a cautionary tale of how seemingly innocuous contract language can have unintended consequences — effectively waiving applicable nonbankruptcy law and overriding contract language to allow assignment without counterparty consent. Well-established federal law protects certain contracts (commonly IP contracts) from being assigned in a chapter 11 or other bankruptcy proceeding without counterparty consent.