Sam Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried, convicted founder of FTX, has formally petitioned former President Donald Trump for a pardon. The request, filed for consideration after his sentence completion, is documented on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Pardon Attorney website. Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year sentence for defrauding FTX customers of billions. Trump previously stated he had no intention of pardoning Bankman-Fried. The White House and Justice Department have declined to comment.

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the collapsed crypto exchange FTX, is appealing his fraud conviction, arguing his trial was “fundamentally unfair.” His attorney claims court rulings improperly limited his testimony, skewing the proceedings. Judges questioned the evidence of guilt and the impact of additional testimony. A key argument centers on whether FTX creditors have, or will be, fully compensated, potentially undermining the prosecution’s narrative of irreparable financial losses. The appeals court is scrutinizing the $11 billion forfeiture order and its implications for victim compensation. The decision will have significant consequences for Bankman-Fried and the wider crypto industry.