Legal Battle Escalates as Alameda Research Seeks Extension to Rally Co-Plaintiffs in Lawsuit Against Grayscale
A legal dispute between Alameda Research and Grayscale intensifies as Alameda seeks more time to gather co-plaintiffs for its lawsuit. The case revolves around unlocking billions from Grayscale's trusts.

Because Bitcoin
August 11, 2023
Amid a legal showdown, Alameda Research is seeking an extension to gather co-plaintiffs for its lawsuit against Grayscale, Decrypt reported. The crux of the matter lies in the unlocking of billions from Grayscale's trusts. Alameda's request for an extension until September 15 is a response to Grayscale's motion to dismiss the case. Interestingly, Grayscale hasn't opposed this extension, likely due to the unexpected departure of a potential co-plaintiff that disrupted Alameda's plans.
The need for this extension ties into the prerequisites for a derivative lawsuit. To proceed, Alameda must amass a minimum of 10% of the outstanding shares, as dictated by Grayscale's Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) agreement. This highlights the importance of garnering substantial support before moving forward.
The lawsuit revolves around allegations of an "improper redemption ban" centered on Grayscale's Bitcoin and Ethereum Trusts. Alameda claims this ban has prevented FTX's debtors and creditors from accessing around $250 million. This forms the crux of their argument.
The lawsuit's grand objective extends beyond addressing the alleged redemption ban. It aims to unlock considerable shareholder value. This entails enacting redemption plans for both trusts while curbing associated fees, as articulated by FTX's press release. The implications of this case reverberate beyond legal confines, potentially reshaping financial dynamics.
Set against the backdrop of FTX's collapse, the situation gains complexity. Alameda, linked to FTX, faces accusations of high-risk ventures with customer funds, with founder Sam Bankman-Fried facing multiple criminal charges. As FTX undergoes a leadership transition to minimize bankruptcy losses, the lawsuit's relevance might shift.
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