#Wintermute Capitalizes on FDUSD Depegging Incident
In a recent turn of events, crypto market maker Wintermute seized a significant arbitrage opportunity when the First Digital US Dollar-pegged stablecoin (FDUSD) briefly lost its peg, dropping to $0.87 on April 2. This depegging was triggered by allegations from Tron founder Justin Sun, who claimed that First Digital was insolvent. However, First Digital quickly refuted these claims, asserting that
#fdusd remained fully backed and solvent.
Wintermute, known for its high-frequency trading strategies, acted promptly to take advantage of the price dislocation. According to blockchain intelligence platform Lookonchain, the firm transferred over 75 million FDUSD tokens back to First Digital shortly after the stablecoin's value fell below its $1 peg.
It is believed that Wintermute purchased FDUSD at discounted rates, potentially between $0.87 and $0.90, and redeemed the tokens at face value, securing an estimated $3 million profit once FDUSD regained its peg.
The incident highlights the volatility in the crypto market, exacerbated by external factors such as recent traditional finance events. Wintermute's actions have sparked renewed scrutiny regarding the role of market makers in such turbulent conditions, particularly their ability to profit from sharp price movements and liquidity gaps.
Despite First Digital's reassurances, concerns about FDUSD's long-term stability linger. In March, S&P Global Ratings assigned FDUSD a "constrained" stability rating of 4 out of 5, citing weaknesses in governance, transparency, liquidity, and regulatory oversight. This episode serves as a reminder of how sudden market events and unverified claims can create lucrative opportunities for agile players in the crypto space.
#cryptonews #JustinSun Read more: www.ecoinimist.com/2025/04/03/wintermute-bags-3-m-fdusd-depeg/