Bitcoin miner Argo accidentally said it's filing for Chapter 11, but is actually trying to avoid that fate by selling assets

Quick Take

  • Bitcoin miner Argo is looking to sell assets as it attempts to avoid filing for bankruptcy protection.
  • The miner said that it accidentally published drafts implying that it had filed for bankruptcy.
  • The London Stock Exchange temporarily suspended its stock last Friday.

Bitcoin miner Argo is looking to sell assets and get a loan as it seeks to avoid bankruptcy as it runs low on cash and after it accidentally published a document implying it would file for Chapter 11.

The company is in "advanced negotiations with a third party" to sell certain assets and secure equipment financing, it said in a statement. "The company is at risk of having insufficient cash to support ongoing business operations within the next month."

"The company is hopeful that it will be able to consummate the transaction outside of a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the United States, although there is no assurance that the company can avoid such a filing," it said.

Argo said that it accidentally published draft materials on its website saying that it was voluntarily filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S., leading its stock to be temporarily suspended on the London Stock Exchange on Friday.

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"Shareholders should note that the company has not filed for bankruptcy at this time," it said. "The company has requested that the UK Financial Conduct Authority restore the listing of its ordinary shares and that is expected to happen as soon as practicable."

The miner had already warned that it would become cashflow negative if it failed to raise more money, after a financing deal fell through. In that scenario it would also have to cease operations, the company said at the time. The news comes as miners struggle with increasing mining difficulty, higher energy costs and lower bitcoin prices.

Argo has hired legal advisers, financial advisers and investment bankers to help analyze options, it said.


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About Author

Catarina is a reporter for The Block based in New York City. Before joining the team, she covered local news at Patch.com and at the New York Daily News. She started her career in Lisbon, Portugal, where she worked for publications such as Público and Sábado. She graduated from NYU with a MA in Journalism. Feel free to email any comments or tips to [email protected] or to reach out on Twitter (@catarinalsm).

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