isn't this a actually the major sign to stay away?
FTT securitises 33% of FTX fees (among other things), so a small market cap would be a positive sign because (income / market cap) increases. More on that at the end.
Technically they are ok, but then again its a house of cards propped up by FTT... so its risk level is higher than standard....
FTT is propped up by Alamada (who bought lots) and FTX (who buy it weekly and burn it). I don't see how FTT props up FTX; the token provides holders with discounts.
I do agree that people want to punish SBF for trying to buy politicians and get state protection for FTX. I believe that he is sincere in wanting the US to provide a better legal framework, but this will inevitably include a level of regulation that many
crypto enthusiasts will hate.
FTX is not Alameda, Alameda is not FTX. Some documents leaked show that Alameda has big positions on FTT, what those documents don't show is that they hold +$10B of other assets which are not shown in the report. FTX is fine, Alameda is the one that may not be fine, but remember, it's all rumors.
If we discount FTT to zero (which I wouldn't at this time) then Alameda's assets would still be more than liabilities. However, they are exposed to SOL and other crypto.
Have you read
this? Might be of interest.
Yes it's the coindesk article with some added commentary but also a link to
this FTX page on FTT which helps explain the model.
At the start of this month, FTT was trading at $26.10. With a $2.8 million buy back and burn per week, that represent 4.2% annual yield on circulating supply.
As I write this, FTT is trading at $15.78. With a $2.8 million buy back and burn per week, that would represent 6.9% annual yield.
The fundamental value (FTX burning about $2.8 million per week) remains, but you can get 65% more of it for your $100 than you could a week ago.
This is where Alameda's holding raises eyebrows, what if their total assets drop below $8 billion (i.e. SOL and other crypto drop as well as FTT)? There would be no benefit in forcing Alameda to sell on the open market, because the biggest market (FTT-
USDT on
Binance) has less than $4million in liquidity above $10. There is a large buy order for FTT on FTX, which could be a related party.
I am not saying that now is the right time to buy or that $15.78 is the right price (it could be a bargain, or not), but FTX is committed to buying a few million dollars of FTT per week so at
some market cap it makes sense, if you believe that FTX will remain in business and generating exchange market fees.