Hindenburg Accuses Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc
Hindenburg has claimed that 40-70 per cent of accounts on Block's Cash App platform they reviewed were fake, involved in fraud, or were additional accounts tied to a single individual.
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Block Inc. co-founder Jack Dorsey has lost more than $500 million in wealth after investor research firm and short-seller, Hindenburg Research, accused the company of overstating its user numbers and understating its customer acquisition costs through its Cash App platform.
This report caused Block’s shares to plunge by 15 percent and resulted in the loss of all the gains made so far this year. Dorsey’s net worth now stands at $4.4 billion after the 11 percent drop.
The main focus of Hindenburg’s report is Block’s Cash App, which is a peer-to-peer mobile payment application that allows users to quickly send, receive and invest money.
Hindenburg claims to have talked to former Block employees who estimated that 40 to 70 percent of Cash App’s accounts they reviewed were fake, involved in fraud, or were additional accounts tied to a single individual. The short seller also alleged that the platform has been used to facilitate criminal activities, including sex trafficking and fraud.
Block Inc. has denied all allegations, saying that Hindenburg’s report is “factually inaccurate and misleading”. The company also said it will work with the US securities regulator to explore legal action against the short seller company.
The Hindenburg’s report has further added to Block’s headache as its shares have continued to slump since last year due to worries about a slowdown in economic activity and consumer spending.
Moreover, Block has also taken a hit from the upheaval in the cryptocurrency industry that forms a large chunk of its revenue base.
Investors are concerned about the allegations of fraud, multiple accounts, and opening accounts with fake names. There is evidence in the report that these activities are happening. This is the most damaging part of the report, according to Christopher Brendler, senior analyst at DA Davidson & Co.
Block’s co-founders Dorsey and James McKelvey collectively sold over $1 billion of stock when the company’s share price soared “on the back of its facilitation of fraud” during the pandemic.
Other executives, including finance chief Amrita Ahuja and the lead manager for Cash App Brian Grassadonia, also dumped millions of dollars in stock, the report added.
Block needs to clarify to investors how many unique people actually use Cash App and provide estimates on user numbers to clear doubts. It also needs to assure users that it will take strict action against fraudulent activities and illegal transactions on the platform. Block’s reputation has been damaged, and it needs to take swift action to regain the trust of investors and users.
In conclusion, Block Inc. is facing serious allegations of fraud and stock manipulation, resulting in a massive drop in the wealth of co-founder Jack Dorsey.
The company needs to address these allegations and take swift action to regain the trust of investors and users. It is important for Block to clarify user numbers and provide estimates to clear doubts.
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