FTX Estate Targets Justin Sun-Linked Exchanges in Asset Recovery Campaign
The bankruptcy estate of FTX has intensified its asset-recovery campaign in early 2026, advancing legal action tied to HTX and Poloniex, while simultaneously locking in a clear timeline for the next major creditor distribution.
Lawsuit Against Justin Sun-Linked Exchanges Moves Forward
According to a motion filed on January 7, 2026, the FTX estate is seeking to amend its complaint against Justin Sun, HTX, and Poloniex as part of an expanded clawback effort.
The estate is targeting approximately $27.5 million held in locked accounts on the two exchanges. These funds allegedly belonged to FTX and Alameda Research at the time of the November 2022 bankruptcy filing.
The legal move signals a more aggressive clawback phase in 2026, as administrators attempt to recover assets held across third-party platforms to maximize the final creditor pool.
March 31 Distribution Date Confirmed
In parallel with the litigation push, the estate and the FTX Recovery Trust finalized key dates for the next creditor payout cycle on January 14, 2026.
Creditors must have their claims allowed and all KYC requirements completed by February 14, 2026, which has been set as the official record date. The next distribution is scheduled to begin on March 31, 2026.
Crucially, the size of that payout pool is expected to increase materially. On January 13, the estate filed a notice to reduce its disputed claims reserve by $2.2 billion, lowering it from $4.6 billion to $2.4 billion. If approved by the court, the reduction would unlock an additional $2.2 billion in cash for the March distribution round.
Wider Legal Battles Continue
The renewed focus on Justin Sun-linked exchanges comes as FTX remains embroiled in other high-stakes lawsuits. The estate is currently opposing a motion to dismiss its $1 billion clawback case against Genesis Digital Assets.
Creditor payouts throughout 2026 will continue to be processed through approved service providers, including BitGo, Kraken, and Payoneer.
As of January 16, 2026, total assets recovered by the FTX estate are estimated at $16–17 billion, with roughly $7.1 billion already distributed to creditors. With major reserves now being released and litigation accelerating, the March payout is shaping up to be one of the most significant distributions since the collapse.