Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
Bankruptcy

Bitcoin exchange MtGox files for US bankruptcy protection

The move temporarily suspends US legal action against the company which the company claims will cost it significantly.

AFTER FILING FOR bankruptcy in Japan, troubled bitcoin exchange MtGox has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US.

The company filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection yesterday, which is designed to protect insolvent companies that operate internationally.

It also temporarily suspends US legal action against the company as it works out how the theft of 850,000 bitcoin happened in the first place.

The company said that without US bankruptcy protection, it would spend “substantial funds” defending itself against US lawsuits. According to Forbes, the company is currently defending itself against at least two of them.

Under the Chapter 15 filing, Japan will still be the primary place for bankruptcy procedures, but it allows the US to work with it and other relevant parties in solving the case.

The company faced further trouble after a group of hackers allegedly gained access to the personal blog and Reddit profile of the company’s CEO Mark Karpeles.

In it they claimed that Mt Gox still has the bitcoin it said was stolen after finding a file which said the company had a balance of 951,116 bitcoin.

Read: 6 myths about Bitcoin that everyone thinks are true >

Read: This Dublin pub now accepts Bitcoin as payment for a pint >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
11
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.