Mt. Gox Bitcoin unlock has been delayed once again, but this time, it may actually be good news for the crypto market. On Monday, the rehabilitation trustee of the defunct exchange announced that the repayment deadline has been pushed back to October 31, 2026, extending the wait for thousands of creditors hoping to recover lost funds.
Mt. Gox Repayments Delayed Until 2026 as Creditors Wait for Recovery
According to the latest update, Mt. Gox has repaid around 19,500 creditors through its base repayment, early lump-sum, and intermediate repayment programs. These distributions were made to those who completed all necessary eligibility procedures.
However, a large number of creditors are still waiting due to incomplete documentation and processing delays, prompting the Tokyo District Court to approve yet another deadline extension.
This marks the third major delay since the repayment schedule was first set for October 31, 2023. Despite mounting frustration, the trustee emphasized that the new deadline ensures repayments are made “to the extent reasonably practicable.”
Mt. Gox Still Holds $4 Billion in Bitcoin
Blockchain data from Arkham Intelligence shows that Mt. Gox still holds 34,689 BTC, valued at roughly $4 billion, in its official wallet. The exchange also confirmed plans to distribute a portion of its recovered assets, including:
- 142,000 BTC
- 143,000 Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- 69 billion Japanese yen (approximately $510 million) in fiat currency
While several creditors have already received their repayments through Kraken and Bitstamp since mid-2024, a large sum remains untouched. With repayments now delayed until 2026, this means that $4 billion worth of potential sell pressure has been effectively removed from the market for another year.
Why the Mt. Gox Repayment Delay Could Be Bullish for Bitcoin
If the Mt. Gox Bitcoin unlock had occurred this month as planned, even a small portion of the 34,000+ BTC hitting exchanges could have triggered heavy sell pressure, shaking market confidence. The postponement means:
- Less BTC supply on exchanges for the next 12 months
- No panic selling from decade-old wallets
- One major bearish overhang has been removed from the market
“The Mt. Gox delay removes a massive psychological burden from Bitcoin investors,” said one market analyst. “It’s one less thing for traders to worry about while the macro outlook is turning positive.”
Timing Favors Bulls: Fed Signals Liquidity Is Returning
The timing of this extension could hardly be better for Bitcoin bulls. The U.S. Federal Reserve has recently hinted at an end to quantitative tightening (QT) and possible interest rate cuts in 2026, while trade tensions between the U.S. and China appear to be easing.
All three factors point to one thing: liquidity is coming back into the market. Combined with the Mt. Gox delay, the reduced selling pressure and improving macro landscape could create the perfect setup for Bitcoin’s next bullish phase.
As one trader put it: “No Mt. Gox dump, falling rates, and rising liquidity — this is the kind of alignment we wait years for.”
What’s Next for Mt. Gox Creditors?
With repayments now postponed until October 31, 2026, creditors must endure another year of uncertainty. Still, for the broader crypto market, the delay removes billions in potential selling pressure, a temporary bullish catalyst that could strengthen Bitcoin’s price stability in the coming months.
Partial repayments show progress, but the final resolution of the Mt. Gox bankruptcy, more than a decade after its collapse, remains a work in progress.
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FAQs
Mt. Gox was hacked in 2014, losing most of its Bitcoin holdings and leading to bankruptcy. Recovery efforts have been ongoing since.
Around 850,000 BTC were lost in the Mt. Gox hack, though about 200,000 BTC were later recovered for creditor repayment.
Yes, if you were a verified creditor who filed claims, you can receive repayments through approved exchanges once distributions resume.
Some creditors began receiving partial repayments in 2024 via platforms like Kraken and Bitstamp, but most funds remain pending.
The new repayment deadline is October 31, 2026, allowing more time to complete verification and distribute funds.
The delay eases market fear and limits BTC selling, improving liquidity sentiment and boosting confidence among investors.
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