THORChain Converts $200M Debt Into Equity Tokens, RUNE Price Pumps

THORChain node operators have approved a restructuring plan proposal that will see a decentralized liquidity network convert a $200 million debt into equity tokens.

THORChain node operators have approved a plan to restructure its debt, aiming to pave the way for the decentralized liquidity network to resume its operations at full capacity. The approval will now see THORChain convert its $200 million debt into equity tokens.

The approval of the restructuring proposal, known as “Proposal6,” will allow THORChain to address its financial liabilities, aiming to ultimately stabilize its operations and restore confidence among its users.

The proposal to restructure the debt arose after THORChain paused its lending and savers programs on January 23, following community discussions regarding the existential risks posed by its ThorFi feature. At the time, the platform had accrued roughly $200 million in liabilities.

The pause led to a contraction of the network, with 31 validators exiting, around $100 million in liquidity being shed, and a significant drop in the price of RUNE, THORChain’s native token. However, the network continued its core operations, demonstrating its resilience amidst the turmoil.

The restructuring plan, proposed by Aaluxx Myth of Maya Protocol, was put to a vote by Node Operators and has now been officially ratified. Under this proposal, THORChain will mint 200 million “TCY” tokens, each representing $1 of the platform’s debt. These tokens will be airdropped to those affected by the lending and savers programs’ suspension.

The TCY tokens are designed to receive 10% of THORChain’s network revenue in perpetuity, providing holders with a continuous revenue stream in RUNE tokens, similar to dividends. To facilitate liquidity for these new tokens, THORChain’s treasury will seed a liquidity pool, allowing holders to convert their equity tokens into other assets at their discretion.

This setup aims to give creditors the flexibility to exit their positions as market demand for THORChain’s revenue becomes reflected in the token’s price. Following the approval of the proposal, the implementation is now in the hands of THORChain’s development teams, which include groups from Nine Realms Capital, Maya Protocol, Rujira Network, and Strangelove Labs.

The development teams are tasked with ensuring a prompt yet meticulous rollout, with details on the exact timeline still being finalized. Community members have, however, expressed mixed reactions.

While some see this as a pathway back to stability and growth for THORChain, others are skeptical about the plan’s long-term viability, the complexity of the new token structure, and potential legal implications regarding the issuance of what might be considered unregistered securities.

Meanwhile, the price of RUNE has seen a positive uptick following the announcement of the approved plan. As per the latest trading data, RUNE is priced at $1.38, up by 13.7% over the last 24 hours.

However, this positive movement comes after a period of significant decline, with RUNE down by 37.8% over the last seven days, 58.2% over two weeks, and 72.7% over the last 30 days, suggesting that while the restructuring news is being met with some optimism, broader market conditions or concerns about THORChain’s future stability might still be influencing investor sentiment.