法制審議会民事執行・民事保全・倒産及び家事事件等に関する手続（IT化関係）部会（以下「部会」といいます）の第8回会議（2022年8月5日開催）において、「民事執行・民事保全・倒産及び家事事件に関する手続（IT化）の見直しに関する中間試案^[1]」（以下「本試案」といいます）が取りまとめられました。現在パブリックコメント手続が実施されており、パブリックコメント期間は、2022年8月24日から2022年10月24日までになります。本試案については、その趣旨に関する詳細な説明資料として、部会事務局である法務省民事局参事官室において、「民事執行・民事保全・倒産及び家事事件等に関する手続（IT化関係）の見直しに関する中間試案の補足説明[2]」が公表されています。

１ 概要

Lowenstein Sandler’s previous article on crypto bankruptcies discussed some bankruptcy basics and the role of a creditors’ committee in protecting the rights of customers. This article will delve deeper into the administration of a crypto bankruptcy case by discussing the negotiation of a crypto bankruptcy plan of reorganization.

Bankruptcy is a formal process geared toward preserving stakeholder value. Often, the proceedings include negotiations between stakeholders that are arduous, time-consuming and expensive. As such, the main focus during bankruptcy tends to be on completing the process, rather than positioning the company for healthy and sustainable growth after emergence.

Restructuring debt obligations under Singapore law can be an attractive option for companies seeking debtor-led reorganisations, as the country aims to be a centre for debt restructuring in Asia. There are options for non-Singapore companies to take advantage of the jurisdiction’s scheme of arrangement regime.

In the short time since we last provided an update regarding the bankruptcy cases of Celsius Networks LLC and its affiliates (here), there have been a number of material developments to report.

The recent bankruptcy filings of Voyager Digital Holdings, Inc. (Voyager) and Celsius Network LLC (Celsius) have abruptly introduced many customers to the bankruptcy process for the first time. Lowenstein Sandler’s experienced bankruptcy and crypto practices are monitoring these cases–and the entire crypto market–to help keep crypto customers and other interested parties educated and informed with respect to the bankruptcy process and what to expect going forward.

Who Is Protecting Your Rights?

The International Risk Management Institute defines a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) as a firm that handles various types of administrative responsibilities, on a fee-for-services basis.¹ These responsibilities are generally executed for insurance carriers and typically include claims administration, loss control, risk management information systems, and risk management consulting.

The crypto winter has overcast the summer for many Voyager customers. Upon the commencement of Voyager’s chapter 11 filing in July, customer accounts were frozen. Unable to trade their own crypto assets, some frustrated customers rushed to consult with legal counsel. Others began studying bankruptcy law in the hopes of finding a legal solution. It was only late last week, on August 4, when some customers found relief from the crypto storm: Judge Michael Wiles approved Voyager’s motion to allow certain customers who had cash in their accounts to withdraw cash, up to $270 million.

Now that their bankruptcy filing is a few weeks behind us, we provide below an update on certain matters of interest in the case of Celsius Networks and its affiliates. Of course, it’s still very early in the bankruptcy case — and in cryptocurrency cases in general — but we have already heard from many distressed opportunity investors that are interested in identifying investment opportunities. Given the novel legal and difficult valuation issues involved, it will be important to keep a close eye on the developments in these proceedings.

It’s been a hard year for cryptocurrency. The values of most cryptocurrencies, including major coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have continued to tumble. In fact, the price of one stablecoin, which is a form of cryptocurrency tied to another currency, commodity or financial instrument, de-pegged from its cryptocurrency token and entered into a downward spiral. Ultimately, the stablecoin and the crypto token it was pegged to collapsed, erasing $18 billion of value with it.