Fintech firm Dave has made a significant decision to distance itself and set boundaries with the troubled, bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX. Dave announced a plan to repurchase a convertible note worth $100 million from FTX Ventures. This development seems to have emerged in parallel with FTX’s bankruptcy and legal challenges.
Financial Mechanics of the Buyback
The deal reveals that Dave will purchase the note for $71 million, a figure much below its real value. Approval from the bankruptcy court is awaited for this transaction, and a hearing regarding the matter is expected to take place on January 25th.
Despite the complexities arising from its past with FTX, Dave continues to innovate and grow. The company, known for its free checking accounts and cash advance services, had managed to raise over $536.3 million in nine financing rounds.
In 2023, Dave secured $50 million through a debt issuance, underscoring its financial flexibility and commitment to expanding its service offerings.
The fintech firm had originally formed a partnership with FTX in March 2022, which included integrating cryptocurrency payments. However, following FTX’s collapse, Dave preferred to stay away from the crypto space and instead seemed to focus on core financial services.
Adding to its innovative side, Dave made a foray into artificial intelligence with the launch of a chatbot in December. The company introduced DaveGPT and took its customer service capabilities to a new level.
After the Collapse of FTX
Following a series of sensational events, the collapse of FTX has been seen to have significant effects on the financial technology sector.
It is known that FTX is actively liquidating assets in order to make repayments demanded by creditors to pay off debts. Court approvals for crypto asset sales are also known to have been granted, with many cryptocurrencies on the sales list.
Meanwhile, FTX’s founder Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty of multiple fraud and conspiracy charges and is facing the legal consequences of the case. After a painful process, the fate of the convicted SBF seems to be answered in the coming period.
