Meta's Rumored Return to Stablecoin Market Sparks Reflection on Diem's Journey

Meta's rumored plans to re-enter the stablecoin market in 2026 have reignited discussions about Facebook's initial launch of Libra in June 2018. According to BlockBeats, Libra faced numerous regulatory challenges, leading to its rebranding as Diem and eventual sale, severing ties with Meta. Silvergate Bank acquired Diem from Meta, a move that was influenced by its deep partnership with FTX. Silvergate, once a prominent player in the crypto industry, was known for its collaboration with FTX, which relied heavily on Silvergate for USD transactions. In 2022, Silvergate issued $132 million in new shares and paid an additional $50 million in cash to acquire Diem. Despite the regulatory hurdles that led to Diem's sale, Silvergate's CEO Alan Lane remained committed to the narrative of banks issuing stablecoins, investing $200 million in the acquisition. FTX's founder, SBF, reportedly played a significant role in advising Silvergate, highlighting the close relationship between the two entities. SBF praised Silvergate as a cornerstone of the industry, essential for FTX's USD operations. Even after FTX's collapse, Silvergate faced collective lawsuits accusing it of having an unusually close relationship with FTX. Silvergate's acquisition of Diem was seen as a strategic move to integrate a comprehensive payment system, asset tokenization, and stablecoin into its business model. However, the collapse of FTX led to unprecedented withdrawal demands on Silvergate, forcing it to liquidate assets at a loss. The Diem assets, purchased for $182 million, were eventually written off as worthless. By March 2023, Silvergate announced its voluntary liquidation, marking the end of its operations. The bank, with over 30 years of history, paid millions in fines to the Federal Reserve and SEC, surrendering its banking licenses. Diem's code remains neglected in the liquidation pool, as Silvergate's name was removed from regulatory lists by 2024.