The Colombian government has moved to seize the assets and operations of Bloom Crowdfunding, a Bogotá-based collaborative financing platform, in a regulatory intervention designed to safeguard the interests of its investors. The Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia ordered the immediate takeover of the company’s assets and business affairs through Resolution 0573, effectively removing the entity from the control of its leadership, headed by Maryory Ávila.
This toma de posesión de Bloom Crowdfunding serves as a critical diagnostic period. The regulator will now determine whether the company is capable of resuming its social object—its primary business purpose—or if the most viable path forward is to execute operations that allow investors to recover their funds, either in full or in part. If the entity is deemed non-viable, it will face a formal liquidation process.
The decision marks a significant moment for the Colombian fintech sector, specifically for those utilizing peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding models. While the intervention is abrupt, the regulator has emphasized that the crisis is isolated to this specific firm and does not signal a systemic failure across other supervised collaborative financing entities.
The regulatory trigger: A collapse in net equity
The intervention was not a random occurrence but the result of specific financial failures outlined in the Organic Statute of the Financial System. According to the regulator, Bloom Crowdfunding triggered several legal grounds for takeover, most notably a severe erosion of its financial cushion. Specifically, the company’s net equity fell below 50% of its subscribed capital, a threshold that signals high risk to the stability of the institution and the safety of investor deposits.
Under Colombian law, when a financial entity’s capital reaches these critical lows, the state must intervene to prevent a chaotic collapse that could leave creditors with nothing. By taking possession of the assets, the Superfinanciera prevents the further dissipation of resources while an independent audit of the company’s health is conducted.
The role of Fogafín and the path to a decision
To manage the transition, the regulator has coordinated with Fogafín (the Financial Institutions Guarantee Fund). Fogafín is tasked with appointing a special agent who will serve as the new legal representative of Bloom Crowdfunding. This agent will assume total administrative control of the business, with a mandate focused exclusively on protecting the public interest and the rights of creditors.
The special agent’s primary goal is to assess if there is a realistic path to solvency. The Superfinanciera has established a strict window for this evaluation, as detailed in the table below:
| Stage | Duration | Primary Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Takeover | Current | Seizure of assets and appointment of special agent. |
| Evaluation Period | Up to 2 months | Determine viability of the social object or recovery options. |
| Extension Window | Optional 2 months | Additional time for complex asset recovery or restructuring. |
| Final Decision | End of term | Either restoration of operations or formal liquidation. |
What So for affected investors
For those with active investments or pending requests with Bloom Crowdfunding, the situation is precarious but governed by strict consumer protection laws. The Superintendencia Financiera has clarified that the takeover does not absolve the company of its obligations regarding financial consumer protection. Investors still maintain the right to file complaints and seek clarity on their holdings.
The regulator has urged affected parties to employ official channels to track their claims or file formal grievances (PQRS). The company is still required to comply with the provisions of the Financial Consumer Protection framework, and users may contact the company’s financial consumer ombudsman or the Superfinanciera directly.
Investors can seek assistance through the following official channels:
- Phone: (601) 307 8042
- WhatsApp: 317 639 8781
- Digital: Official chat at www.superfinanciera.gov.co
- In-person: Calle 7 # 4-49 Piso 1 – Punto Ciudadano – Bogotá
Disclaimer: This report is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Investors should consult with a certified legal professional regarding their specific claims.
The next critical checkpoint will occur as the special agent submits the first comprehensive report on the entity’s assets. The Superfinanciera is expected to issue a final determination on whether Bloom Crowdfunding will be liquidated or restructured within the next 60 days, pending any official extensions.
We invite our readers to share their experiences with collaborative financing in the comments below and share this article with others who may be affected by this intervention.
