Sam Bankman-Fried, once the crypto king with a $32 billion valuation, is now serving a 25-year sentence after being found guilty of fraud and misusing customer funds. But even from behind bars, he isn’t giving up. He’s shifting the political side from Biden to backing Trump, with the aim of a presidential pardon. Could he walk free like the Silk Road founder?
Bankman-Fried now claims that FTX was never actually bankrupt. Speaking from his jail cell in a phone interview with the New York Sun, he insisted that there were enough funds to pay back customers in full as early as November 2022.
According to him, the real problem began when external debtors stepped in, slowing the process. Bankman-Fried straightly accused law firm Sullivan & Cromwell for mishandling the situation, and delaying repayments.
However, his claims come as the FTX Estate is set to distribute $11 billion under its bankruptcy plan. While these statements may seem like an attempt of SBF to shift the blame.
Perhaps even more surprising than his financial claims is his sudden shift in political allegiance. Once a major donor to the Democratic Party, Bankman-Fried is now criticizing Biden and throwing his support behind Donald Trump.
Many believe he is trying to win Trump’s favor, hoping for a pardon that could get him out of prison early—just like Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, whom Trump once considered pardoning.
His parents are reportedly pushing for it too, making sure Trump sees him as a victim of a politically motivated case.
Meanwhile, Polymarket’s prediction platform suggests that Sam Bankman-Fried could receive a presidential pardon from Donald Trump within the first 100 days of his potential governance.
Could a Pardon Bring Bankman-Fried Back?
With Trump’s history of granting unexpected pardons, some believe Bankman-Fried’s plan might actually work. But even if he walks free, would the crypto world ever trust him again?
For now, the disgraced FTX founder remains in prison, but his latest moves suggest he hasn’t given up on a comeback. The question is—will Trump give him a second chance?
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