‘Nobody left to bank crypto companies’ — Crypto Twitter reacts
Tue 8:54 pm +01:00, 14 Mar 2023 7Prominent members of the crypto community have expressed uncertainty after the loss of crypto friendly banks.
Crypto companies could find it harder to access traditional banking partners with the loss of two major crypto-friendly banks in less than a week, according to some in the crypto community.
On March 12, the Federal Reserve announced the closure of Signature Bank as part of “decisive actions” to protect the U.S. economy, citing “systemic risk.” It came only days after the closure of Silicon Valley Bank, which was ordered to shut down on March 10.
A week prior, Silvergate Bank, another crypto-friendly bank, announced it would close its doors and voluntarily liquidate on March 8.
At least two of these banks were seen as important banking pillars for the crypto industry. According to insurance documents, Signature Bank had $88.6 billion in deposits as of Dec. 31.
Crypto investor Scott Melker, also known as The Wolf Of All Streets, believes — like many others who took to Twitter following the news — that the collapse of the three banks will leave crypto companies “basically” without banking options.
“Silvergate, Silicon Valley and Signature all shuttered. Depositors will be made whole, but there’s basically nobody left to bank crypto companies in the US,” he said.
Meltem Demirors, chief strategy officer of digital asset manager Coinshares, shared similar concerns on Twitter, highlighting that in just one week, “crypto in America has been unbanked.” She noted that SEN and SigNet “are the most challenging to replace.”
The Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN) and Signature Bank’s “Signet” were real-time payment platforms that allowed commercial crypto clients to make real-time payments in dollars at any time.
Their loss could mean that “crypto liquidity could be somewhat impaired,” according to comments from Nic Carter of Castle Island Ventures in a March 12 CNBC report. He said that both Signet and SEN were key for firms to get fiat in, but hoped that other banks would step up to fill the void.
Others believe the closure of the three firms will create room for another bank to step up and fill the vacuum.
Jake Chervinsky, head of policy at crypto policy promoter the Blockchain Association, said the closure of the banks would create a “huge gap” in the market for crypto-friendly banking.
“There are many banks that can seize this opportunity without taking on the same risks as these three. The question is if banking regulators will try to stand in the way,” he added.
Meanwhile, others have suggested there are already viable alternatives out there.
I always felt crypto was a fake product designed to stop people from buying precious metals. They run it nicely for the punters for a while then cut it off. Is that about to happen?
The blockchain is here to stay.
I just wish I had better IT skills.
I have Ledger & Trezor cold wallets.
Bitcoin, cash & gold/silver.
Me too Tap. Money is a measure of value, not only that crypto value fluctuates wildly from time to time and being electronic could disappear at any time. Gold and Silver have maintained their value down the centuries. However, if there are no resources to purchase, even gold and silver will be of little use!
Precious metals could be confiscated as in the great depression.
Gold was compulsorily purchased for a low price but not personal jewellery. Was silver confiscated? A seller of gold bullion or coins has to record the transaction and identify the customer to the government. Not silver.
No Tap silver wasn’t, I agree. How would a system based on barter work though, would you have your silver in coins or set weights? I;m seriously interested, I for one would struggle with it, but if it’s going this way then I’ll have to learn.
I agree silver is a useful metal and all the things that it can be used for and as you mention clothing as well to protect from 5G and other radiation. The American settlers on their travels used to put a silver dollar in a bucket of water which killed harmful pathogens. Interesting to hear one can get silver clothing to protect from radiation but no doubt they will be very expensive!