Rhodium Encore Gets Court Approval for 500 Bitcoin Loan

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in finance, I must admit that this Bitcoin-backed financing strategy for Rhodium Encore LLC is quite intriguing. Given my extensive exposure to the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies and their role in reshaping traditional financial landscapes, I find myself both cautiously optimistic and slightly amused by this development.


Rhodium Encore LLC, a cryptocurrency mining company, has been given court approval to choose an unusual financing method during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. On Friday, the company was allowed to decide whether they’d prefer $30 million in U.S. currency or 500 Bitcoin from Galaxy Digital, a blockchain firm owned by Mike Novogratz.

In my analysis, what stands out about this financing arrangement is the unconventional aspect of accepting a Bitcoin-backed loan – a practice seldom seen in traditional bankruptcy funding methods. Notably, the loan we’re considering is tied to a higher than usual interest rate denominated in U.S. dollars.

Based on Bloomberg’s report, the annual interest rate for a dollar loan stands at 14.5%, whereas the interest rate for a Bitcoin loan is slightly lower at 9.5%. Redemption of the Bitcoin loan in U.S. dollars before its maturity can be done at “fair, publicly available market spot prices”, subject to the lender’s approval.

Although a number of crypto businesses have experienced collapse in recent times, cryptocurrency funding remains relatively uncommon even during bankruptcy proceedings like Chapter 11. This is primarily due to Bitcoin’s volatile price, which complicates the calculation of loan repayments and consequently increases the risk associated with financing.

Rhodium Encore, the company managing Bitcoin mining operations in Texas, declared bankruptcy in August because of financial struggles with their landlord and electricity provider, Whinstone US, Inc., according to David Dunn, one of Rhodium’s chief restructuring officers.

This action emphasizes the transition happening in cryptocurrency-related bankruptcy funding, as well as the way established financial models are being questioned and potentially overturned by innovative methods.

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2024-08-31 08:04