Why FTX Collapse Sparked a Year of Reinvention for Crypto

On November 11, 2022, the blockchain industry faced an unforgettable moment when FTX, a once $32 billion crypto exchange, and its over 100 affiliated entities filed for bankruptcy.

This development, concerning the third-largest cryptocurrency exchange with a user base exceeding one million, sent shockwaves through the market. FTX’s sudden insolvency and subsequent bankruptcy filing revealed that the exchange had an $8 billion hole in its accounts. BeInCrypto sheds light on the valuable lessons the industry has learned from the FTX collapse.

The Resilience of the Crypto Market

In the aftermath of FTX’s collapse, the crypto market faced a tumultuous period, witnessing major assets like Bitcoin and Solana plummeting to yearly lows. Initial skepticism painted a grim picture for the industry, suggesting a loss of investor confidence.

Fast forward a year, and the crypto market has not only weathered the storm but has thrived. Established financial institutions, such as BlackRock and PayPal, have enthusiastically entered the crypto arena with varying degrees of success. Notably, digital assets like Solana, rebounding from significant losses, are forging strategic partnerships to enhance their technological footprint.

Prominent crypto analyst Kaleo reflected on the turnaround:

“Bitcoin’s resurgence and bullish momentum across the crypto ecosystem a year after the FTX collapse is truly vindicating,” Kaleo said.

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This resurgence firmly underscores a pivotal lesson — crypto will inevitably play a crucial role in shaping the broader financial environment.

Not Your Keys, Not Your Tokens

FTX’s collapse imparted a vital lesson on self-custody within the crypto community. It emphasized the importance of individuals holding their cryptocurrencies securely.

Self-custody ensures exclusive access to one’s assets without reliance on third parties. Responding to this paradigm shift, US lawmakers introduced the Keep Your Coin Act, empowering crypto investors to maintain control over their digital assets free from interference.

This development has catalyzed the rise of self-custodial firms like Ledger and Trezor, dominating the market as guardians of individual crypto wealth.

The Increasing Regulatory Oversight

FTX’s collapse also brought to light the regulatory vacuum that had pervaded the crypto industry for years.

In response, regulatory bodies worldwide, from Hong Kong to the United States, are tightening oversight on the emerging industry. They are establishing a robust regulatory framework to ensure stability and investor protection for the crypto market.

Reflecting on this, TrieuPH, a crypto user, noted:

“Rebuilding trust and healing the market will take time, but the industry has demonstrated resilience and innovation throughout this challenging period.”

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Despite attracting substantial investments from major venture capital firms and celebrity endorsements, FTX’s downfall is a stark reminder to “Don’t Trust, Verify.”

Even with claims of thorough due diligence, investors were blindsided by the FTX fraud. Meanwhile, this underscores a core tenet of the crypto industry — trust claims that can be independently verified. Transparency remains the cornerstone upon which the industry’s trust is built.