The Alameda gap and crypto liquidity crisis explained

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2023

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FTX collapse: Unraveling the cryptocurrency crisis of November 2022

In November 2022, the cryptocurrency world was rocked by the collapse of FTX, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges. The collapse was triggered by a liquidity crisis at FTX, which was caused by a combination of factors, including mismanagement of customer funds and risky trading practices by FTX’s sister company, Alameda Research.

The collapse of FTX had a ripple effect across the crypto market, causing a sharp decline in cryptocurrency prices, a drain of liquidity and a loss of confidence in the crypto industry. It also raised serious questions about the safety and security of customer funds on cryptocurrency exchanges. The crypto industry’s lack of risk management standards was exposed through the crisis.

FTX has filed for bankruptcy, revealing a debt of over $3 billion to its creditors. Additionally, the exchange is unable to locate approximately $8.9 billion worth of customer assets. The exact amount of money lost by customers is difficult to determine, as some customers may have been able to withdraw their funds before the exchange suspended withdrawals. However, it is estimated that customers lost billions of dollars in the FTX crash.

The collapse of FTX caused a sharp decline in cryptocurrency prices. The total market capitalization of the crypto market fell from over $1 trillion in November 2022 to under $800 billion in December 2022. This represents a market collapse of over $200 billion in dollar terms.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s strategic path

SBF saw an opportunity to create wealth at an unparalleled pace by combining the ICO method of token creation and subsequent leveraging.

SBF saw an opportunity to profit by creating a new cryptocurrency exchange that would exploit the shortcomings of existing exchanges. Bankman-Fried began by setting up a quantitative trading firm called Alameda Research.

Alameda Research used sophisticated algorithms to trade cryptocurrencies on a variety of exchanges. Alameda Research was very successful, and it quickly became one of the largest cryptocurrency traders in the world.

In 2019, Bankman-Fried launched FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange designed to be more user-friendly and efficient than existing exchanges. FTX also offered a number of features that were not available on other exchanges, such as margin trading and derivatives trading. However, none of the regulatory controls typically needed by mainstream financial services trading platforms were addressed.

Relationship between FTX and Alameda Research

FTX and Alameda Research were closely linked. Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison were the CEOs of FTX and Alameda Research respectively. However, Bankman-Fried controlled a majority of the shares in both companies. Alameda Research also used FTX as its primary exchange.

The close relationship between FTX and Alameda Research allowed Bankman-Fried to engage in a variety of fraudulent activities, including:

Misappropriating customer funds: Bankman-Fried transferred customer funds from FTX to Alameda Research without the customer’s consent. He used these funds to cover Alameda Research’s losses and to fund his own lavish lifestyle.
Manipulating the cryptocurrency market: Alameda Research used its large trading volume to manipulate the prices of cryptocurrencies on FTX. This allowed Bankman-Fried to profit from insider trading.
Offering fraudulent financial products: FTX, under Bankman-Fried’s leadership, offered unregulated financial products like margin and derivatives trading. This lack of oversight allowed him to defraud customers by selling these products without disclosing the associated risks.

FTX scam and Alameda gap unveiled

The scam began to unravel in November 2022 when it was revealed that Alameda Research held a large position in FTT, the native token of FTX.

The report sparked a sell-off of FTX Token (FTT), which caused the token’s price to plummet. It also raised concerns about the financial health of Alameda Research and FTX. This led to a liquidity crisis at FTX, as customers rushed to withdraw their funds from the exchange.

FTX was unable to meet the withdrawal demands, and it was forced to suspend withdrawals. FTX also filed for bankruptcy on Nov. 11, 2022. The collapse of FTX had a devastating impact on the crypto market.

In November, a significant decrease in liquidity within the crypto market was coined as the “Alameda gap” by blockchain data firm Kaiko. This term emerged due to the notable role played by Alameda Research, the largest market maker during that period.

The Alameda Gap represented a substantial decline in available liquidity, impacting trading volumes and market stability. This phenomenon underscored the influence of major market participants and highlighted the intricate dynamics that govern cryptocurrency markets.

While the FTX episode may have been the last domino to fall in a series of bankruptcies that were filed during 2022, it was easily the biggest event of the year, and it put the industry under a legal and regulatory microscope.

The Bankman-Fried trial

SBF was arrested in the Bahamas on Dec. 12, 2022, after United States prosecutors filed criminal charges against him. He was extradited to the U.S. in January 2023 and went on trial in October 2023.

The arrest and trial of SBF was a major development in the crypto industry. It was the first time that a major crypto founder had been arrested and tried on criminal charges. Bankman-Fried was charged with seven counts of fraud and conspiracy.

The key witnesses for the prosecution were:

Caroline Ellison, Bankman-Fried’s ex-girlfriend and the former CEO of Alameda Research
Nishad Singh, former FTX engineering director
Gary Wang, co-founder of FTX

Ellison, Singh and Wang all pleaded guilty to multiple charges and cooperated with the prosecution. They testified that Bankman-Fried knowingly misled investors and customers about the financial health of FTX and Alameda Research. They also testified that Bankman-Fried used FTX customer funds to cover losses at Alameda Research and to fund his own lavish lifestyle.

Bankman-Fried was found guilty of all seven charges on Nov. 2, 2023. He faces a maximum of 115 years in prison. Bankman-Fried denied all of the charges against him. He said that he made mistakes but that he did not commit any crimes.

The seven charges against Sam Bankman-Fried

Post-FTX reforms in the cryptocurrency industry

There is often a silver lining with black swan events. A black swan event is one that is impossible to predict and has severe consequences. In the wake of the FTX and Alameda Research scam, several things have gained momentum, and the industry has focused on getting itself regulated. Across the world, regulators and crypto firms have worked collaboratively and consciously to protect investors.

The following are some notable developments in the crypto industry post the FTX crisis:

Increased regulation: Governments worldwide have started to develop and implement comprehensive regulations for the crypto industry. These regulations would focus on protecting investors and preventing fraud.
Transparency: Cryptocurrency exchanges have come forward and offered transparency around their operations and financial condition through proper documentation and risk management practices. This helps investors make informed decisions about where to invest their money.
Audits: Cryptocurrency exchanges are being regularly audited by independent auditors. This helps to ensure that the exchanges are operating honestly and that customer funds are safe.

Investors also need to be vigilant and do their own research before participating in any cryptocurrency exchange-related activities. Investors should look for exchanges that are regulated, transparent and have a good reputation.

Politics

Zodia Custody ends Japan venture with SBI in ‘mutual decision’: Report

Published

1 hour ago

September 11, 2025

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Zodia Custody ends Japan venture with SBI in ‘mutual decision’: Report

Standard Chartered-backed Zodia Custody has exited its Japan venture with SBI Holdings after two years, with both firms calling the move a strategic realignment.

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MPs want Mandelson back in Britain to face questions over Epstein ties

Published

4 hours ago

September 11, 2025

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MPs want Mandelson back in Britain to face questions over Epstein ties

MPs are demanding Peter Mandelson appears on British soil to give evidence on his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

But there is frustration within parliament at Lord Mandelson’s ability to avoid scrutiny, as Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to sack him as ambassador to the US over his links to the deceased billionaire.

It comes after it emerged the Labour peer, who has said he wishes he had never met Epstein, had written him a 2003 birthday note in which he described him as his “best pal”.

According to reports in Bloomberg and The Sun, he also sent Epstein messages of support while he was being investigated for sex offences, telling him he was “following you closely and here whenever you need”.

Politics Hub: Follow the latest from Westminster

Sky News has learned that the powerful Foreign Affairs Select Committee of MPs made a request to hear from Lord Mandelson after he was appointed by Sir Keir last year, but this was blocked by the Foreign Office.

Lord Mandelson‘s status as a member of the House of Lords means the committee cannot force him to appear before them. People overseas can also not be compelled to give evidence.

Committees have the power to summon people to give evidence and find them in contempt of parliament if they do not comply.

Lord Mandelson’s failure to appear adds to the controversy around a lack of government transparency sparked by the decision to not let national security adviser Jonathan Powell give evidence to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.

Mike Tapp, the Home Office minister, told Sky News that it is “important we have full answers” on Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein.

Asked if he should face the scrutiny of parliamentary committees, Mr Tapp said: “What is important to me, and I’m really clear on this, is we do have the full answers on this.

“But Sir Keir Starmer has been clear yesterday in the House that all of the answers are there.”

Conservative MP and FAC member Aphra Brandreth is the only person on the committee to publicly call for Lord Mandelson to give them evidence on the ambassador’s links to Epstein.

Sky News understands that others on the committee are keen for Lord Mandelson to speak to them, but have decided not to go public. As the committee make-up mirrors that of parliament, most members are Labour MPs.

Ms Brandreth said in a statement: “At a time of huge instability around the globe, it’s vital that the UK’s ambassador to the US is focused completely on his job

“As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I would welcome the opportunity to question Lord Mandelson on his ability to carry out his duties to the UK.”

She shared a letter written by fellow Tory MP and former Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair Alicia Kearns.

In the letter, Ms Kearns called on current chair Dame Emily Thornberry to summon Lord Mandelson, question him and put the concerns of MPs to him.

Ms Kearns also wants to know what questions Dame Emily has asked the Foreign Office since the appointment of Lord Mandelson, and to find out “how substantial” his relationship with Epstein was.

Ms Kearns told Sky News: “Months and months have passed with no action from the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, instead, there has been an unsettling silence from her on all things Mandelson.

“I would have summoned Mandelson long ago, it’s the chair’s duty to get the answers parliament deserves. It’s all too evident Thornberry has long been focused on her next role, not the one she’s been elected and paid to do.”

In January, Dame Emily raised Lord Mandelson’s appointment with Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty.

She said the appointment was “inspired” – before asking the minister and government to “allow Lord Mandelson the time to come before my committee before he leaves for the United States”.

Mr Doughty said: “I am sure that we will consider any request that my right honourable friend makes in due course in the normal way in which we consider requests from her committee.”

The FCDO has been approached for comment.

Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates reports that the lead civil servant in the Foreign Office, Ollie Robbins, has written to Lord Mandelson to ask a series of questions.

These questions include: When did you last meet Jeffrey Epstein before he took his own life? When did you last accept hospitality? What were your last business dealings with?

It is not known if Lord Mandelson will respond.

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Meanwhile, Labour MPs Andy McDonald, Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Kim Johnson have called for Sir Keir to sack Lord Mandelson.

The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, also urged the prime minister to remove Lord Mandelson without further delay – warning his “reputation is now on the line”.

But a source within diplomatic circles who has known Lord Mandelson told Sky News correspondent Rhiannon Mills they believe the US ambassador “can ride it out”.

“Unless there is worse to come, if he can stomach the attention, he can ride it out. In the UK residence in Washington, with its grounds and security, it is easy to hide away,” the source said.

“The most important part of Mandelson’s role as ambassador is his relationship with the US administration, they will not be the least bit fussed about this. They have bigger problems.

“This isn’t going to be a big story in the States as the focus is on Trump and dozens of other prominent American figures. The US press have lots of other fish to chase”.

Politics

MPs want Mandelson back in Britain to face questions over Epstein relationship

Published

9 hours ago

September 11, 2025

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MPs are demanding Peter Mandelson appears on British soil to give evidence on his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

It comes after it emerged the Labour peer – who has said he wishes he’d never met Epstein – had written him a 2003 birthday note in which he described him as his “best pal”.

Politics Hub: Follow the latest from Westminster

Lord Mandelson‘s status as a member of the House of Lords means the committee cannot force him to appear before them. People overseas can also not be compelled to give evidence.

Committees have the power to summon people to give evidence, and find them in contempt of parliament if they do not comply.

Conservative MP and FAC member Aphra Brandreth is the only person on the committee to publicly call for Lord Mandelson to give them evidence on the ambassador’s links to Epstein.

Sky News understands that others on the committee are keen for Lord Mandelson to speak to them but have decided to not go public. As the committee make-up mirrors that of parliament, most members are Labour MPs.

Ms Brandreth said in a statement: “At a time of huge instability around the globe, it’s vital that the UK’s ambassador to the US is focused completely on his job

“As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee I would welcome the opportunity to question Lord Mandelson on his ability to carry out his duties to the UK.”

She shared a letter written by fellow Tory MP and former Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair Alicia Kearns.

In the letter, Ms Kearns called on current chair Dame Emily Thornberry to summon Lord Mandelson, question him and put the concerns of MPs to him.

Ms Kearns also wants to know what questions Dame Emily has asked the Foreign Office since the appointment of Lord Mandelson, and to find out “how substantial” Lord Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein was.

Ms Kearns told Sky News: “Months and months have passed with no action from the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, instead there has been an unsettling silence from her on all things Mandelson.

So far, there has been no response from Dame Emily, who took part in a hustings for her campaign to be the next Labour deputy leader on Wednesday night.

Some MPs on the committee are concerned this race has distracted Dame Emily from her role on the committee, though she looks unlikely to make it into the next round.

In January, Dame Emily raised Lord Mandelson’s appointment with Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty.

She said the appointment was “inspired” – before asking the minister and government to “allow Lord Mandelson the time to come before my Committee before he leaves for the United States”.

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Mr Doughty said: “I am sure that we will consider any request that my right honourable friend makes in due course in the normal way in which we consider requests from her Committee.”

The FCDO has been approached for comment.