Crypto exchange FTX is close to signing a deal to purchase struggling crypto lender BlockFi for $25 million, according to a person familiar with the matter. The news was first reported by CNBC.
The deal is expected to be signed by the end of the week, the person familiar with the matter said.
In response to the reports, BlockFi CEO Zac Prince tweeted this afternoon that "I can 100% confirm that we aren't being sold for $25M. I encourage everyone to trust only details that you hear directly from @BlockFi. We will share more [with] you as soon as we can."
Earlier this month, BlockFi was reportedly set to close a down round of funding at a valuation of $1 billion, compared to its previous valuation of $3 billion in March of last year.
FTX had previously given a $250 million credit facility to BlockFi. The lender said in mid-June it was cutting about 20% of its workforce, or roughly 170 people.
