Sam Bankman-Fried, Jailed FTX Founder, Seeks Donald Trump Pardon
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the collapsed FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has applied for a pardon from former US President Donald Trump. Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year federal prison sentence following his conviction on multiple fraud charges related to FTX and its associated trading firm, Alameda Research.
The 34-year-old former billionaire’s application for a "pardon after completion of sentence" was lodged with the Department of Justice, according to official records. This type of pardon would legally forgive his crimes upon the conclusion of his jail term, rather than commuting (shortening) his current sentence. Bankman-Fried is simultaneously appealing his conviction, steadfastly maintaining his innocence regarding the collapse of FTX in 2022.
FTX, once a dominant cryptocurrency platform, unravelled amidst allegations that Bankman-Fried had misappropriated client funds for personal investments and to settle debts. His pardon request is one of over 20,000 such applications currently before the justice department's Office of the Pardon Attorney.
During his previous term, Trump issued numerous pardons, including for individuals involved in the 6 January 2021 Capitol attack, former staff members, and figures from other digital currency platforms. However, Trump previously indicated he would not pardon Bankman-Fried when questioned earlier this year.
