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Journalist
Hassan Shittu
Journalist
Hassan Shittu
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Holders of the AEUR stablecoin, issued by Anchored Coins AG, are facing potential losses due to the recent bankruptcy of FlowBank SA, one of the financial institutions responsible for guaranteeing AEUR’s 1:1 peg to the Euro.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) initiated bankruptcy proceedings against FlowBank SA on June 13, 2024, after it was revealed that the bank was severely undercapitalized and potentially over-indebted.
As a result, the collateral FlowBank SA holds to back AEUR tokens may be at risk, leaving AEUR holders in a precarious position.
FlowBank SA Potentially Over-indebted
On June 13, 2024, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) initiated bankruptcy proceedings against FlowBank SA, a key partner responsible for guaranteeing the 1:1 peg of AEUR to the Euro.
This move came after FINMA determined that FlowBank SA was significantly undercapitalized and potentially over-indebted, prompting fears of insolvency.
As a result, the collateral held by FlowBank SA to back the AEUR stablecoins has now been absorbed into the bank’s bankruptcy estate, leaving AEUR holders at risk of financial loss.
In response, Anchored Coins AG issued a statement to its clients and AEUR holders outlining the immediate impacts of FlowBank SA’s bankruptcy.
The company confirmed that the collateral intended to secure the AEUR stablecoin’s peg is now part of the bankruptcy proceedings, with no preferential treatment.
Despite ongoing efforts to expedite the withdrawal of these funds and transfer them to other banking partners, the situation still needs to be determined.
Consequently, onboarding new clients and issuing and depositing AEUR and ACHF stablecoins have been temporarily halted.
While Anchored Coins AG reassures holders that AEUR tokens continue to represent a 1:1 claim against the company, they acknowledge the risk that the 1:1 redeemability might not be upheld if the collateral cannot be recovered.
Depending on the outcome of the bankruptcy proceedings, this could lead to proportional losses for AEUR holders.
FlowBank SA Deep in Troubles: Bankruptcy Imminent
FlowBank SA’s troubles, culminating in its bankruptcy, did not arise overnight. FINMA has been scrutinizing the bank since October 2021, when it first identified severe breaches of supervisory law.
These issues included inadequate capital reserves, poor organizational structures, and insufficient risk management practices.
In response, FINMA ordered corrective measures and appointed an independent auditor to oversee their implementation.
Despite these interventions, FlowBank SA continued to falter. In October 2022, further enforcement actions were taken as the bank failed to meet capital requirements and rectify its organizational deficiencies.
By June 2023, a monitor had been appointed to oversee the bank’s activities.
By March 2024, the situation had deteriorated to the point where FINMA withdrew FlowBank SA’s banking license, citing the bank’s inability to comply with regulatory standards.
Although this decision was appealed, ongoing financial irregularities led FINMA to place the bank into bankruptcy to protect depositors and creditors.
The bankruptcy of FlowBank SA poses a significant risk to AEUR holders. Anchored Coins AG relied on FlowBank SA as a key partner to secure the collateral that underpins the value of its AEUR stablecoin.
The potential impact on AEUR holders could be severe, especially if the bankruptcy estate cannot return the full value of the collateral.
The crisis is not the first time financial institutions tied to the crypto industry have faced significant challenges.
Similar concerns have been raised about the stability of financial arrangements underpinning digital assets, particularly in cases where third-party institutions hold collateral.
The company is actively pursuing all available avenues to recover the collateral and ensure the stability of its stablecoins. However, AEUR holders should remain vigilant and prepared for potential losses.
