Sam Bankman-Fried has formally requested a presidential pardon from Donald Trump while serving a 25-year sentence for fraud.
Summary
- Sam Bankman-Fried has filed for a pardon through the Office of the Pardon Attorney.
- He stated in a recent interview that he would "absolutely" accept a pardon, despite the lengthy process involved.
- The FTX co-founder is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, has officially submitted a request for a presidential pardon, as confirmed by the Office of the Pardon Attorney.
Convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 2024, he is currently serving a 25-year sentence and is asking for a pardon to be granted after he completes his sentence. This news was initially reported by Bloomberg.
In a phone interview with Fox Business from prison, Bankman-Fried remarked that while the decision ultimately lies with the president, he would "absolutely" welcome a pardon from Donald Trump. He also mentioned that he has not been in direct contact with anyone at the White House, though he is unsure if his family or associates have reached out on his behalf.
The process for obtaining a pardon can take months or even years, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney's website, and details of his application remain confidential.
Bankman-Fried maintains his innocence, claiming he did not misappropriate user funds and that customers were fully reimbursed through bankruptcy proceedings, which he termed a "great disservice" lasting three years.
This year, he has actively sought a pardon, including a February appeal on X (formerly Twitter) promoting the Clarity Act, a legislative proposal for the cryptocurrency sector. His comments drew skepticism from Senator Cynthia Lummis, who implied that he might be seeking a pardon.
Although President Trump has previously ruled out the possibility of pardoning Bankman-Fried, he has extended clemency to other figures in the cryptocurrency arena, such as Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and BitMex co-founder Arthur Hayes.
Having served just over two years of his sentence, Bankman-Fried is expected to remain incarcerated for at least another 21.25 years, according to analysts consulted by Decrypt at the time of his sentencing.
A spokesperson for the Office of Pardon Attorney confirmed that individuals seeking a pardon after completing their sentence must first serve their full term.
