California permanently cuts off BlockFi’s license over bad lending practices

As a seasoned analyst with a keen eye for financial irregularities and a penchant for navigating the intricate web of regulatory compliance, it comes as no surprise that BlockFi has found itself in hot water yet again. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s decision to permanently revoke BlockFi’s lending license is a testament to their commitment to protecting consumers from unscrupulous practices.


The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation has made a permanent decision to rescind BlockFi’s lending license, which was prompted by the company’s bankruptcy proceedings and ongoing regulatory complications.

2022 saw the demise of BlockFi, a digital lending platform for cryptocurrencies, due to financial difficulties linked with the collapse of crypto trading giant, FTX.

— CA Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (@CaliforniaDFPI) November 8, 2024

Initially, BlockFi provided FTX with a loan worth $400 million. However, when FTX filed for bankruptcy, it created a series of impacts, one of which was contributing to the financial struggles that eventually led BlockFi to file for bankruptcy as well.

BlockFi’s rocky past

According to a previously published press release from the DFPI (Department of Financial Protection and Innovation), BlockFi’s license was revoked due to allegations that they violated California’s Financing Law by not evaluating borrowers’ capacity to repay loans and issuing interest charges before actually providing the loans.

In simpler terms, BlockFi failed to offer necessary credit guidance and misrepresented the conditions of their loans, which negatively affected borrowers’ credit ratings and potential eligibility for future loans.

Beyond rescinding the actions, BlockFi came to terms with the DFPI, promising to discontinue risky behaviors. The regulatory body levied a penalty of $175,000, choosing instead to forego collection to prioritize creditor reimbursements, according to the statement.

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2024-11-08 20:22