top of page

Will Evergrande's collapse affect the market?

20 Aug 2023

Large Chinese Property Developer, Evergrande, files for bankruptcy after struggling with debt

Chinese real estate developer Evergrande is dealing with a $300 billion financial issue. The business has been having trouble making payments to its creditors and suppliers, and it has issued a warning that it could be in default. Evergrande filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in a New York court in August 2023, which enables a US bankruptcy court to intervene in international bankruptcy cases. The financial markets throughout the world, including the cryptocurrency market, might suffer significantly from Evergrande's failure.


A possible outcome of Evergrande's bankruptcy is a spillover into the market for commercial debt. A short-term debt instrument known as the commercial paper is one that businesses and financial institutions issue to raise money. Two of the biggest stablecoin issuers in the cryptocurrency industry, Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC) have sizable stockpiles of commercial paper. These stablecoins, which are extensively utilised as a means of exchange and a store of value in the crypto ecosystem, might suffer from a solvency and stability issue if Evergrande's bankruptcy causes a liquidity crisis in the market for commercial paper.


The impact of Evergrande's bankruptcy on investors' risk tolerance and emotions is yet another possible consequence. The global equity markets may experience a sell-off if Evergrande files for bankruptcy as investors grow more cautious and look for safer investments. This may also impact the cryptocurrency market, as some investors might be less exposed to speculative and volatile assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. However, some investors may see cryptocurrency as a protection against inflation and currency depreciation, particularly if central banks ease monetary policy in response to the crisis.


A third possibility is that Evergrande's collapse may have an effect on how cryptocurrencies are regulated in China and other countries.

The problem involving Evergrande may lead the Chinese government to increase regulation of the financial sector, which includes the cryptocurrency market. Initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrency exchanges were already prohibited in China in 2017, and the country has lately tightened crypto mining and trading regulations. The collapse of Evergrande might further undermine faith in the Chinese financial system and encourage more individuals to look for alternate means of wealth transfer and preservation, like cryptocurrencies. However, this might also lead to more oversight and interference from the authorities, who would view cryptocurrencies as a danger to their financial stability and monetary sovereignty.


In conclusion, Evergrande's bankruptcy may have a major effect on the cryptocurrency market as well as the rest of the markets. Depending on how the scenario develops and how the stakeholders respond, the implications might be either favourable or harmful. The crypto business could have difficulties, including market volatility, liquidity shocks, and regulatory uncertainty, but it might also gain from more innovation, acceptance, and diversity.

bottom of page