Crypto lender Nexo has proposed to buy embattled rival Vauld as the market shrinks

July 6, 2022: -Beleaguered cryptocurrency lender Vauld has been thrown a lifeline from more extensive competitor Nexo, which represents mounting consolidation in the crypto market.

On Thursday, Nexo said it had signed a term sheet with Vauld giving it 60 days of exclusive talks exploring an all-equity acquisition of the company. If successful, Nexo said it is planning to restructure the company and pursue an expansion in Southeast Asia and India.

Vauld paused operations and said it was exploring restructuring options due to “financial challenges” posed by a sharp decline in cryptocurrencies. The Singapore-based company is backed by the likes of Coinbase and Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel.

It’s the previous firm to get caught up in the chaos gripping the crypto world lately. In the previous month alone, Celsius, another crypto lending firm, put an indefinite pause on withdrawals citing “extreme market conditions.” Therefore, Three Arrows Capital, a crypto hedge fund, applied for bankruptcy protection days after collapsing into liquidation.

Asked the amount Nexo wanted to pay for Vauld, co-founder Antoni Trenchev said it was “premature” to speak almost a valuation at this stage. Although, he is adding he was “optimistic” about reaching a deal.

“We are starting the due diligence,” Nexo’s chief told CNBC. Nexo gave Celsius a letter of intent offering to buy the company. Although, it said the company rejected its offer.

With zero government to turn to, several crypto companies have pursued the help of their peers in hopes of a bailout.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the billionaire behind crypto exchange FTX, has become a lender of final alternative for the industry. In the previous week, FTX signed a deal giving it the option to buy crypto lending firm BlockFi. At the same time, Bankman-Fried’s quant trading shop Alameda Research opened a credit line to Voyager Digital, an embattled crypto brokerage that froze all operations in the earlier week.