Cryptocurrencies
Crypto Lender BlockFi, in Talks With FTX, Also Gets Ledn Offer
- BlockFi deal with Bankman-Fried’s FTX would be deep discount
- Proposed deal involving rival Ledn involves funding round
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Troubled crypto lender BlockFi Inc., already in talks with industry giant FTX, has been approached about a deal with another party that includes rival Ledn, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.
FTX, the crypto exchange founded by Sam Bankman-Fried, is negotiating a potential acquisition of BlockFi, Bloomberg reported earlier. But the price FTX is seeking -- CNBC reported it was roughly $25 million -- is a deep discount from BlockFi’s $3 billion valuation in March 2021. Unlike the bid from FTX, Ledn’s proposal involves fresh funding rather than a full acquisition and has been submitted to a BlockFi board member, according to one of the people, all of whom declined to be identified because the talks are confidential.