FalconX resumes use of Silvergate’s payment network

Quick Take

  • FalconX resumed using Silvergate Exchange Network, after it stopped using it last week, citing “an abundance of caution.”
  • Silvergate’s shares have fallen ever since the firm disclosed exposure to FTX in the form of deposits.

FalconX, the crypto prime broker, resumed use of Silvergate’s payment network after pressing pause on the partnership last week.

“Due to the heightened risk environment and Silvergate’s wire payment network outage (Finastra outage update), FalconX updated fiat transfer instructions for clients and paused settlements to/from our Silvergate account,” a FalconX spokesperson told The Block.

“This aligns with our standard process to pause and reassess operations in these scenarios. We completed this process and are reopening settlement to/from our Silvergate account.”

On Nov. 18, FalconX told clients it had stopped using Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN) until further notice, citing “an abundance of caution” due to turbulent crypto market conditions.

Silvergate shares plunged in the aftermath of the news. The company disclosed exposure to collapsed crypto exchange FTX, in the form of deposits, earlier in the month. Silvergate’s CEO Alan Lane clarified, however, that the company had “no outstanding loans to, nor investments, in FTX, and FTX is not a custodian for Silvergate's bitcoin-collateralized SEN Leverage loans.”

SEN, a key driver of the bank’s growth, allows its clients to make payments in U.S. dollars and euros 24 hours a day.


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About Author

Ryan Weeks is deals editor at the The Block, focused on fundraising, M&A and institutional trends in the crypto space, among other things. He is particularly interested in investigative work — so please send tips! Ryan previously worked at Financial News, Dow Jones as a fintech correspondent in London. Prior to that, he wrote for several different publications, including Sifted, AltFi and Wired. Beyond journalism, Ryan is a keen reader and writer. He enjoys all things active, especially running, rugby, climbing and tennis.

Editor

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