I would say this is just another BS from 1xbit, I think they have tried similar thing like this before when they said that they were going to solve all issues but they did nothing. Lets just ignore it, they have really bad reputation already and I dont think there is chance for them to get a better reputation even if they can solve all issues (past and current) as many people are being skeptical already to 1xbit.
I have to say it would be most absurd move from them. I admitted i laughed at the excuse as it was a last thing i would have expected and seemed as a stretch and unbeliveable.
But if this was all just another scam and
IF they paid what they owed, why would they go for all that trouble when with their reputation it would be probably easier to just start a new scam.
Funny enough if this ends up to be true and 1xbit gets their negative trust removed, 1xbt signature bounty hunters keep on having negative trust as they did what they did intentionally.