Crypto Exchange Bitfront Shuts Down Amid Industry Challenges
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitfront has announced its intention to cease operations in the coming months, citing challenges facing the industry. The U.S. trading platform, backed by Japan’s social media giant Line, indicated the decision is unrelated to the collapse of FTX. Line-Supported Digital Asset Exchange Bitfront Suspends New Sign-ups
Bitfront, a crypto exchange operating in the United States, has suspended new sign-ups and credit card payments while planning to cease operations in a few months’ time. The move comes despite efforts to overcome the current challenges in the “rapidly evolving” crypto industry, the company announced, quoted by Reuters and Bloomberg.
In the statement published on its website, the exchange explained it has “regretfully determined that we need to shut down Bitfront in order to continue growing the Line blockchain ecosystem and Link token economy.” The U.S.-based platform, which launched in 2020, is backed by the Japanese social media firm Line Corp.
Bitfront also pointed out that the decision to close down is not related to the problems of “certain exchanges that have been accused of misconduct,” an indirect reference to FTX, one of the largest global players in the market before it collapsed and filed for bankruptcy protection on Nov. 11 amid liquidity issues.
Other companies in the space, like Blockfi for example, have been hurt by exposure to FTX. The crypto lender announced on Monday it has petitioned for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection along with eight of its affiliates. When Blockfi paused withdrawals earlier this month, it specifically cited the “lack of clarity” regarding the state of FTX at the time.
With a 24-hour volume of less than $94 million, only a dozen trading pairs and six coins, according to Coingecko, Bitfront has a small share of a market with a total trading volume of almost $57 billion over the same period, the Bloomberg report noted.
The exchange informed users that new sign-ups and card payments have been suspended on Nov. 28 while deposits in cryptocurrency and U.S. dollars will be halted on Dec. 30. It also urged customers to withdraw all their assets by March 31, 2023, when all withdrawals will be suspended as well. Tags in this story Bankruptcy, Bitfront, Challenges, collapse, Crypto, crypto exchange, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, Exchange, ftx, Issues, Japan, Line, operations, Services, shutdown, Social Media, suspension, U.S.
Do you expect other crypto trading platforms to go out of business? Let us know in the comments section below. Lubomir Tassev
Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration. Kevin O"Leary Reveals How He Almost Secured $8 Billion to Rescue FTX Before It Collapsed EXCHANGES | 1 day ago Report: Nigerian Crypto Exchange Quidax Cuts Its Workforce by 20% EXCHANGES | 2 days ago
Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Previous articleThe World’s Largest NFT Marketplace Opensea Adds BNB Blockchain Support Next articleVeteran Investor Mark Mobius Expects Bitcoin Price to Fall to $10,000 Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Read disclaimerShow comments More Popular NewsIn Case You Missed ItRipple CEO: SEC Lawsuit Over XRP "Has Gone Exceedingly Well"
The CEO of Ripple Labs says that the lawsuit brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against him and his company over XRP "has gone exceedingly well." He stressed: "This case is important, not just for Ripple, it’s ... read more.Bitcoin ATM Operator Indicted in New York Allegedly Running Illegal Business Attracting Criminals FBI Issues Alert Concerning Malicious State-Sponsored North Korean Hackers Targeting Crypto Firms Interest in Real Estate Investments in Spain Grew 400%, With Some Using Crypto and Stocks as Payment Method Terra"s Algorithmic Dollar-Pegged Crypto UST Is Now the Third-Largest Stablecoin