Terraform Labs has officially shut down following the approval of its bankruptcy plan. The company faced accusations from the SEC of fraud that led to a $40 billion loss when the TerraUSD and Luna tokens collapsed in 2022. After a prolonged legal battle, the court has now approved the firm’s bankruptcy plan, with Terraform agreeing to settle with the SEC. Here’s a look at what the future holds for investors.
The Lawsuit
The downfall of Terraform Labs began when its stablecoin, TerraUSD, failed to hold its value. The collapse, coupled with the crash of Luna, triggered massive financial losses for investors. In January 2024, Terraform filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, disclosing that its debts and assets ranged between $100 million and $500 million.
Related article: Terra Classic (LUNC) Faces Key Test After Rejection at $0.000087– Will Support Hold or Bears Take Over?
On September 19, 2024, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brendan Shannon gave the green light to the company’s bankruptcy plan. This approval marks a crucial milestone in addressing the firm’s financial crisis. The court described the plan as a “welcome alternative” to drawn-out legal disputes, which could have lasted for years.
SEC Settlement Agreement
Terraform has agreed to a $4.47 billion settlement with the SEC, although the SEC may only receive a fraction of this amount. The SEC has stipulated that it will be paid only after investors have received compensation for their losses. Despite the agreement, there are still uncertainties regarding how much investors will actually recover.
Related article: Terra Classic Introduces Tax2Gas Upgrade with Binance’s Support
With court approval in place, Terraform will begin liquidating its assets. This process is essential for reimbursing the investors affected by the collapse. Terraform estimates that it can return between $184.5 million and $442.2 million to investors and other stakeholders. Despite these projections, investors remain anxious about recovering their funds, although a slight increase in $LUNA and $LUNC prices has offered some hope.
The downfall of Terraform and other crypto firms underscores the importance of conducting thorough research before making investment decisions. While the future remains uncertain, the lessons from this collapse are invaluable for investors moving forward.