Crypto Exchange OPNX, Co-Founded by Three Arrows Capital, Abruptly Shuts Down

The Open Exchange (OPNX), founded by the founders of Three Arrows Capital (3AC), announced its sudden operational shutdown on January 31, 2024. This decision, made without prior notice or clear reasons, surprised many as OPNX had recently received an operating license in Europe and planned to launch new products. Despite the closure, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices remain stable, unaffected by the news.

OPNX, the Crypto Exchange Founded by Three Arrows Capital, Announces Sudden Closure Amidst Industry Turmoil

Jakarta, Indonesia - The Open Exchange (OPNX), a cryptocurrency exchange established by the founders of the defunct hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC), has abruptly announced its shutdown. This unexpected move has caught the crypto community off guard, particularly given OPNX's recent acquisition of operating licenses in Europe and plans for new product launches.

OPNX, a platform enabling users to trade various cryptocurrencies, has been linked to the series of high-profile bankruptcies in the crypto industry, including FTX, Voyager, and Mt. Gox. The exchange was co-founded by Kyle Davies and Su Zhu, the former executives of 3AC, a hedge fund that collapsed in 2022 following substantial losses incurred from risky speculative trades.

In a recent statement, OPNX announced its decision to cease operations effective February 2024, without providing specific reasons for the closure. The exchange also holds its native token, OX, which grants holders transaction fee discounts and voting rights.

Throughout its existence, OPNX has faced challenges in attracting traders, who have raised concerns regarding its liquidity and legitimacy. Moreover, the exchange's association with 3AC and the fallout from its bankruptcy have further damaged its reputation. In 2022, Davies and Zhu were barred by Singapore's central bank from holding managerial positions in financial firms for nine years.

On January 31, 2024, OPNX notified its clients via email of the impending closure, advising them to liquidate all trading positions by February 7 and withdraw their funds by February 14. The exchange also requested that users export their transaction history before February 14, as the data will become inaccessible after the closure.

While the specific reasons for OPNX's shutdown remain undisclosed, speculation points to legal and regulatory pressures faced by both OPNX and 3AC. The closure has had a negative impact on the price of the OX token, which has plummeted by over 14% in the past 24 hours, dropping to around US$0.0096 (Rp 150.45). Trading volume for OX has also surged by over 500%, reaching approximately US$5.9 million (Rp92.58 billion) during the early Asian session on Friday as investors attempt to sell their tokens before further losses.

Notably, the closure of OPNX has not significantly affected the prices of leading cryptocurrencies Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Bitcoin remains steady at around US$43,000 (Rp674.85 million), having gained over 2.2% on February 1. Ethereum has also experienced an increase of more than 3.5% on the same day, trading at approximately US$3,200 (Rp50.22 million). This resilience suggests that the broader crypto ecosystem is weathering the storm despite setbacks in the exchange sector.

One factor contributing to the resilience of Bitcoin and Ethereum prices is heightened investor interest in new investment products such as spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) for both cryptocurrencies. ETFs are securities that track the price of underlying assets and can be traded on stock exchanges. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the first spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum on January 11, 2024.

In conclusion, the closure of OPNX marks another setback for the cryptocurrency industry, which has been plagued by a series of high-profile failures. The exchange's shutdown has fueled concerns about the viability of smaller exchanges and highlighted the need for enhanced regulation in the crypto space. While leading cryptocurrencies remain relatively unaffected, the long-term impact of the OPNX closure and ongoing industry challenges remain to be seen.