LayerZero Co-Founder Accuses Kyle Davies of Attempted Treasury Raid Before 3AC's Collapse

LayerZero CEO Bryan Pellegrino has accused Three Arrows Capital co-founder Kyle Davies of attempting to transfer LayerZero's treasury to the defunct crypto hedge fund prior to its collapse. Pellegrino alleges Davies promised preferential rates in a "last gasp effort" before 3AC's demise, criticizing Davies for exploiting associates and partners. Davies has yet to respond to Pellegrino's accusations, despite refusing to apologize for 3AC's bankruptcy and maintaining his professional reputation remains intact.

Did Davies Try to Raid LayerZero's Treasury Before 3AC's Demise?

Bryan Pellegrino, the co-founder and CEO of LayerZero, has raised eyebrows with allegations that Kyle Davies, the disgraced co-founder of Three Arrows Capital (3AC), attempted to pilfer LayerZero's treasury shortly before 3AC's collapse.

Pellegrino's claims stem from a recent X post, where he asserts that Davies, in a desperate "last gasp effort," offered LayerZero "better rates than other borrowers" in exchange for transferring its entire treasury to 3AC. "Getting liquidated is one thing," Pellegrino said. "Lying and exploiting your friends, portcos, and people around you is another."

Davies Unapologetic Amidst Backlash

Despite the outpouring of criticism on social media, Davies has remained defiant, refusing to apologize to investors for the billions lost in 3AC's bankruptcy. In an episode of the Unchained Podcast, he insisted that his professional reputation remains intact.

"We were traders who devoutly believed in 'up only forever,'" Davies wrote on X. "Still do. Lenders chose to gamble their own low-risk client's funds on a high-risk thesis."

Pellegrino's Criticism: Misleading and Exploitative

Pellegrino, however, paints a different picture, accusing Davies of misleading and exploiting his associates and partners. He alleges that 3AC was financially unstable when it approached LayerZero with the proposal.

3AC's Downfall and Davies' Legal Troubles

Following the collapse of Terra in May 2022, 3AC, once a prominent crypto hedge fund with assets exceeding $3 billion, filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy in July of the same year due to liquidity challenges. Davies and Su Zhu, 3AC's co-founders, subsequently launched Open Exchange (OPNX), a platform for crypto derivatives and claims trading, in April 2023. However, the platform ceased operations earlier this year, in February.

On Jan. 5, 2023, Davies and Zhu were subpoenaed via X for failing to communicate with the relevant authorities and not cooperating satisfactorily with liquidators. Zhu was arrested in Singapore last September and jailed until December for non-cooperation in 3AC's liquidation inquiries. Davies, however, avoided apprehension.

In a recent podcast, Davies admitted to staying clear of Singapore to evade potential imprisonment. On Dec. 21, a British Virgin Islands court froze $1.14 billion worth of Davies and Zhu's assets. 3AC liquidator Teneo is seeking to recover $1.3 billion directly from Zhu and Davies, claiming they took on significant leverage with investor funds after 3AC became insolvent.