Sam Bankman-Fried Requests Presidential Pardon from Donald Trump

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the collapsed crypto exchange FTX, has filed a formal request for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump while serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy. The clemency petition was logged by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon Attorney and remains pending, indicating that it is under review.

This move comes as Bankman-Fried appeals his conviction, which resulted from orchestrating fraudulent activities that led to the downfall of FTX in November 2022, exposing an $8 billion shortfall in its accounts. Bankman-Fried confirmed his desire for a pardon in a recent interview with FOX Business, stating, "Absolutely, it would be obviously, you know, ultimately up to the president, not up to me." His parents, both law professors at Stanford, have reportedly reached out to Trump's circle to advocate for their son.

Despite the submission of the clemency petition, Trump has previously indicated that Bankman-Fried should not count on receiving a pardon. In a January interview with The New York Times, Trump categorized Bankman-Fried along with other defendants he was unlikely to pardon, despite having granted pardons to several other prominent figures in the crypto space in the past.

During his incarceration, Bankman-Fried has attempted to align himself with Trump and the Republican party, echoing the President’s views on various matters. These include comments on Trump's military actions and economic policies, suggesting a strategy to improve his chances for clemency. His efforts to engage with conservative audiences have drawn significant attention, especially in the context of Trump's openness to granting pardons.

Currently, Bankman-Fried remains in prison as he navigates the separate processes of appealing his conviction and awaiting the outcome of his clemency request. The developments surrounding his pardon application could have implications for public perceptions of both the crypto industry and the efficacy of presidential pardons in high-profile cases.