In the wake of a $4.5 billion settlement with the SEC, Terraform Labs CEO Chris Amani has declared that Terra will transition into a community-driven project. Amani emphasized the importance of the community taking ownership of the chain as the company prepares to wind down its operations. He stated that certain teams and developers have expressed interest in assuming responsibility for the project and will soon announce their plans on the forums. Terraform Labs had always planned to dissolve, according to Amani, and the settlement has now accelerated that process. While the company continues to operate its products during the wind-down period, plans are in motion to sell off certain assets, including Pulsar Finance, Station Protocol, and Enterprise Protocol. Additionally, Amani revealed that Terraform Labs will propose burning all unvested Luna and any vested crypto held in its wallets.
Criticism from Industry Leaders
The SEC’s handling of the case has drawn criticism from prominent figures in the industry. Coinbase CEO Paul Grewal voiced his dissatisfaction with the outcome, describing it as a win for the SEC but offering little relief to fraud victims. Grewal pointed out that the settlement effectively makes the SEC an unsecured creditor, positioning the agency to recoup funds through Terraform Labs’ bankruptcy proceedings. He also called for Terra’s co-founder and former CEO Do Kwon to surrender $7 million in assets, questioning the efficacy of the regulatory approach taken by the SEC. Similarly, Messari CEO Ryan Selkis condemned the settlement amount, arguing that the funds should be allocated to a victims’ restitution fund rather than benefitting the SEC. Selkis went as far as suggesting that any alternative outcome should entail SEC Chair Gary Gensler facing consequences as severe as a lifetime prison sentence.
Uncertainty for Investors
While the SEC stands to benefit as an unsecured creditor in the settlement, the fate of harmed investors remains uncertain. The majority of the settlement amount will go towards fulfilling the SEC’s claim, leaving investors reliant on assets that Kwon transfers to the Liquidating Trust for potential compensation. As the community prepares to take the reins of Terra, questions linger regarding the ultimate impact of the SEC settlement on all stakeholders involved. The aftermath of Terraform Labs’ dissolution and the distribution of its assets will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of the project and the broader crypto industry.
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