Youtuber Bitboy Crypto, aka Ben Armstrong, alleged the FTX alternate and Canadian entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary had been pivotal figures in taking down Celsius.
The crypto lending and borrowing platform halted withdrawals on June 13 to stabilize operations amid “excessive market situations.”
Weeks earlier than that, rumors had been circulating all was not nicely at Celsius, together with reviews of unfair liquidations and hurdles to withdrawing funds. On the time, former CEO Alex Mashinsky labeled such reviews as FUD, denying there have been issues on the firm.
Mike are you aware even one one who has an issue withdrawing from Celsius?,
why unfold FUD and misinformation.
In case you are paid for this then let everybody know you’re selecting sides in any other case our job is to battle Tradfi collectively…
— Alex Mashinsky (@Mashinsky) June 11, 2022
Celsius filed for Chapter 11 chapter on July 13, with Mashinsky saying it was “the suitable choice for our neighborhood and firm.”
Since then, the contagion has unfold additional into the trade, with a number of different crypto platforms submitting for chapter post-Terra implosion.
Within the aftermath, notably within the case of FTX, elements of the crypto trade have been uncovered as an over-leveraged, risk-intolerant Ponzi.
Bitboy spills the beans
All through the FTX collapse, Bitboy has thrust himself entrance and heart as a central particular person in exposing the lies and corruption.
Talking not too long ago on the Altcoin Day by day YouTube channel, Bitboy referred to as Kevin O’Leary “a snake,” saying “there’s been some unhealthy stuff in his previous,” however didn’t elaborate additional on what it was.
Bitboy switched the dialog to O’Leary’s alleged ties with FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), including the latter was “behind each crash this whole 12 months.”
“Kevin O’Leary was 100% complicit in serving to FTX crash Celsius. We all know now, Sam’s behind each crash this whole 12 months. Sam was behind Terra Luna, Sam was behind Celsius, Sam was behind Voyager, Sam was behind Three Arrows Capital… they’re a giant recreation hunter.”
Explaining the motive as he sees it, Bitboy mentioned FTX taking advantage of every crash was a play to stave off its personal liquidity woes.
Nonetheless, Bitboy didn’t solely let Mashinsky off the hook, saying the previous CEO had his half to play in Celsius’s downfall and might be held accountable. He added that:
“The true rip-off of what FTX was doing by counterfeiting cash and inflating them on their markets, and also you perceive Sam has a huge quick in on the CEL token.”
Celsius to zero, mentioned O’Leary
Referring to the notorious interview wherein O’Leary referred to as SBF “one of the sensible merchants” and nonetheless worthy of backing, Bitboy identified the peculiarity of continuous to help the disgraced former FTX CEO.
Questioner: Would you again SBF [of FTX] once more?
Kevin O’Leary: “He was one of the sensible merchants within the crypto Universe… the reply can be, sure.” pic.twitter.com/WYCDNRK74c
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) November 16, 2022
He continued by saying that O’Leary-backed funding agency WonderFi was one of many final corporations to ship funds to FTX to maintain the corporate afloat whereas additionally mentioning a CoinDesk interview with O’Leary calling for Celsius to “go to zero.”
“No one else assume it’s bizarre in June, proper in the beginning began occurring with Celsius, Kevin O’Leary is on CoinDesk saying, “I believe proper earlier than we have now a change available in the market, we’re going to must see Celsius go to zero”?”
Bitboy mentioned competing alternate platforms, similar to Celsius, and tasks vying towards Solana had been focused by FTX.
Commenting on the potential authorized motion coming from these allegations, Bitboy mentioned he’s not fearful as he has “arduous proof” of his claims.