Background

MTI presented itself as an automated bitcoin trading platform; where users would simply deposit a prescribed minimum amount of Bitcoin into its wallet, and MTI would then grow it using an AI-powered foreign exchange trading software (Trading Bot). MTI incentivised users to invest by advertising its Trading Bot as yielding growth in members’ Bitcoin of 0.5% to 1.5% per day, and that users would receive even greater returns if they referred further users to invest. On this basis, MTI accumulated billions of rand worth of Bitcoin during 2019 and 2020.

Then, following an investigation by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and exposing data leak by Anonymous ZA, it was revealed that MTI was a multi-level marketing scheme which did not have enough assets to cover its obligations. In other words, MTI could not make good on its extraordinary promises to its investors as it simply did not have enough Bitcoin to repay them their initial Bitcoin investments plus the promised growth thereof, if demanded to do so. As a result, the Company was placed into provisional liquidation.

It is important to note that MTI only accepted deposits in Bitcoin, and not their value equivalent in cash. Investors accordingly had to purchase Bitcoin using a crypto-exchange platform such as Luno, for example, and then had to invest it with MTI by transferring it into a digital wallet controlled by MTI.

What is Bitcoin?

In order to understand MTI’s unique circumstances better, lets first look at what Bitcoin is. Bitcoin is a ‘digital currency’, which is decentralised in the sense that it is not controlled by any centralised entity, such as a bank, but instead directly transferred between consumers using something called the ‘blockchain’. The blockchain is essentially a public digital record of transactions made with cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin. It records the details of every Bitcoin transaction ever made and automatically rejects any transaction which does not conform to its records. A user is therefore prevented from fraudulently using the same Bitcoin for multiple transactions, as the blockchain will reject such transaction on the basis that its records reflect that the Bitcoin has already been transferred. In this way, the integrity of transactions is maintained without the need for the oversight by a centralised intermediary.

Each consumer’s Bitcoin is stored in a cryptocurrency wallet, which is only accessible through a unique and private alphanumeric key. In MTI’s case, the key to the wallet containing the thousands of Bitcoins invested into MTI is suspected to be missing along with its erstwhile CEO.

Because of the lack of central administration or regulation of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, they have not yet been recognised as a fiat currency. They are instead considered to be an asset (cryptoasset) which is subject to drastic price fluctuations, as their value is dependant on public trust and perception. Many accordingly brand them as a speculative investment.

Does the presence of cryptoassets in MTI’s estate support a case for business rescue, as opposed to liquidation?

Cases such as that of MTI reflect the new reality that insolvent estates may contain cryptoassets, presenting an unchartered set of legal complexities for business rescue and insolvency law. Issues such as the choice between business rescue and liquidation proceedings are brought under a new light, as legal practitioners are tasked with determining how to manage this relatively new and unique type of asset in a way that best balances the rights of all stakeholders.

Turning to MTI, one has to bear the respective purposes of business rescue and liquidation proceedings in mind when considering which would be the more appropriate route for the ultimate purpose of providing the best outcome for the creditors.

The purpose of liquidation proceedings is to realise and dispose of the assets of the insolvent company, for cash, and pay whatever proceeds might become available to the creditors of the company by means of a legal order of preference.

On the other hand, section 128(1)(b)(iii) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 (2008 Companies Act) provides that the goal of business rescue is to restructure the affairs of the insolvent company so that it can either:

• continue to operate on a solvent basis; or
• if that is not possible, result in a better return to creditors than would otherwise have resulted from the company’s immediate liquidation (otherwise referred to as an ‘orderly wind down’).

Since it appears that MTI’s business model was unrealistic, it would seem that the above first mentioned goal of business rescue will in all likelihood not be achievable under the current circumstances. As for the second goal, due to the missing Bitcoin - which is likely only accessible to the erstwhile missing CEO - it is difficult to imagine what assets a business rescue practitioner (BRP) would have to work with in order to facilitate an orderly winding down of the Company which will result in a better return for the creditors than the immediate liquidation of MTI.

A further factor militating against the conclusion that business rescue would be the preferable course of action in respect of MTI is that a BRP does not have the powers afforded to liquidators in terms of sections 417 and 418 of the Companies Act 61 of 1973 (1973 Companies Act) to summon and examine persons as to the affairs of the company (known as insolvency enquiries). Such enquiries are necessary to establish the divestment of the Company’s assets and obtain information to enable the liquidator (and creditors) to investigate the dealings of the Company prior to its liquidation. These enquiries further allow for the detection and investigation of possible impeachable transactions entered into by the company, with the view to setting aside such dispositions or preferences in terms of the Insolvency Act 24 of 1936 (Insolvency Act). In the mysterious circumstances surrounding MTI’s missing CEO and the investors’ Bitcoin, these powers may be vital in any exercise aimed at trying to recoup the losses sustained by MTI’s investors; as the liquidators would have the necessary powers to find and recover further Bitcoin cryptoassets.

Conclusion

Although the MTI case has shown that cryptoassets present a variety of novel legal complexities, we are interested to see what arguments are going to be presented in favour of converting MTI’s liquidation into business rescue should the group of investors pursue this route. We hope to see the court develop clearer precedent for navigating these unchartered waters.