The fall of FTX appears to have brought back certain crypto “villains” out from hiding, one even wants to start a new podcast series.
Three Arrows Capital co-founder Su Zhu looks like he may be attempting a comeback amid the fallout over FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried — seen by some as the crypto industry’s newest supervillain.
After months of radio silence, Su Zhu remerged on Twitter on Nov. 9, the day after FTX revealed it was suffering from a “liquidity crunch.”
As the FTX saga has unfolded, Zhu has continued to post on Twitter, offering sage advice through poetic metaphors, while tweeting veiled criticism of Sam Bankman-Fried and his handling of FTX.
That being a better swimmer led to her death felt bizarre yet obvious
The better she could swim the more she underestimated nature, how the difference between people is like the difference between grains of sand, just as theres no mighty grain there is also no mighty person
— Zhu Su (@zhusu) November 10, 2022
In his latest Nov. 27 Twitter thread Zhu revealed his next steps — the launch of a “long-form video podcast series” that discusses “life, belief systems, and mental health” which will be launched with a collaborator and friend named “Cliff.”
In the tweet, Zhu also makes reference to Allah, a sign some believe means he had converted to Islam.
Cliff and I will launch a longform video podcast series soon discussing life, belief systems, and mental health.
Allah does not charge a soul except that which is within its capacity.
— Zhu Su (@zhusu) November 27, 2022
Recently, Zhu also hinted at creating a new trading firm in a Nov. 22 interview with Bloomberg saying it could be an “all-weather fund” — made to perform reasonably through all market conditions — that invests in traditional financial assets and crypto.
Zhu’s latest quasi-announcement has attracted more criticism than support, however, with many drawing a contrast between his actions at 3AC with the ideologies presented in Islam.
Blogger and nonfungible token (NFT) project founder Foobar asked “what does Allah say about interest-bearing loans?”
Another user pointed out that interest is “haram”, or forbidden under Islamic law.
Su: "sorry brah can't pay back the loan its not Sharia-compliant" pic.twitter.com/QsfJq7aDUL
— vechudnov (@chudnovglavniy) November 27, 2022
Over the last few weeks, the community has noticed a return of so-called “crypto villains” to Twitter following the collapse of FTX.
Related: It’s time for crypto fans to stop supporting cults of personality
Another Three Arrows Capital co-founder, Kyle Davies recently reappeared on Twitter after months of radio silence, posting on Nov. 13 on Twitter that he’d spent the last few months seemingly looking at grass and painting.
He even appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box program on Nov. 16 to allege Alameda “hunted” 3AC’s positions.
My initial process was to spend my time searching and understanding. Less markets and screens, more grass and painting.
I will look to share my understanding to the extent it contributes to good and to light.
Yours Truly, Humbled and Gracious pic.twitter.com/z7YFvQwiRd
— Kyle Davies (@KyleLDavies) November 13, 2022
Alex Mashinsky, the founder of the bankrupt lending platform Celsius Network has also made a reappearance after FTX’s downfall, appearing in a series of Twitter Spaces over the last few weeks.
In a Twitter Space on Nov. 27 Mashinsky said he “loves the idea” of getting FTX to “pay for the hole” and asked listeners to “make a lot of noise” and convince bankruptcy lawyers for Celsius and its Committee of Unsecured Creditors to sue FTX to pay for Celsius’ cash deficit.
One of the more frustrating parts of the FTX collapse is that all of the previous villains are coming out of woodwork pretending like they are victims.
Reminder: we are in this mess because of @KyleLDavies, @zhusu, @stablekwon, @SBF_FTX (others too but remember these 4). https://t.co/ltAd3SeA4H
— Haym (@SalomonCrypto) November 24, 2022
It’s estimated that Mashinsky, Zhu, and Davies owe creditors around $6.3 billion.
