Abra, the crypto lending platform, has reached a settlement with the Texas State Securities Bureau, resolving a legal dispute and enabling approximately 12,000 investors to withdraw funds previously frozen on the platform. The settlement, announced on Monday, follows regulatory actions against Abra's Earn and Boost investment products, alleging securities violations. The settlement terms require Abra to allow investors to claim funds from interest-bearing accounts, with a total value of about $13.6 million last year.
Key Points:
Settlement Terms:
- Abra has settled with the Texas State Securities Bureau, leading to the resolution of a lawsuit.
- The settlement terms dictate that Abra must permit approximately 12,000 investors to claim funds deposited in interest-bearing accounts, including Abra Boost and Abra Earn.
Previously Frozen Funds:
- The funds in question, worth around $13.6 million last year, were frozen on the Abra platform during the summer of the previous year.
Withdrawals Opened:
- Abra is required to open withdrawals for investors within the next 30 days, allowing them to retrieve their funds.
- Clients with balances exceeding $10 will receive notifications on the withdrawal process, and they must complete the withdrawal within a seven-day window.
Other Stipulations:
- The settlement includes various stipulations that Abra must fulfill in addition to opening up withdrawals.
Regulatory Actions and Allegations:
- Regulatory actions were initiated against Abra over the offering of Earn and Boost investment products, with allegations that the products constituted securities.
Product Registration:
- The Texas Securities Commissioner (TSC) asserted that the registration of these products fell under its regulatory purview.
Resolution of Legal Dispute:
- The settlement, if honored, will dismiss the enforcement actions against Abra related to the offering of its investment products.
Similar Settlement Trend:
- This settlement aligns with a recent trend where cryptocurrency companies have been settling legal disputes with state and federal regulators. Last week, Genesis Global Capital, a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, reached an $8 million settlement with regulators in New York.
The settlement between Abra and Texas regulators clears the way for investors to retrieve previously frozen funds and marks another instance of the cryptocurrency industry addressing regulatory concerns through legal resolutions.