
Sam Bankman-Fried, the once-celebrated founder of FTX, now faces a long prison sentence for one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history. But his story may not be over just yet. His parents, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, are reportedly working to secure a presidential pardon, raising questions about whether political ties could help him avoid a harsh fate.
Their efforts come at a time when crypto-related pardons are making headlines, especially after Trump granted clemency to Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht.
Will SBF Really Get a Second Chance?
Ulbricht’s pardon has led many to wonder if other prominent figures in the crypto space might also get a second chance. Recently, elon musk
elon musk Elon Musk Is the Co-founder of Tesla, an investor and entrepreneur. He was born on the 28th of June,1971, and is based in Pretoria, South Africa. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor's degree in Arts and physics, and the Wharton School, earning a bachelor's degree in science, and economics. In 2003 Musk founded Tesla, an electric vehicle and clean energy company. Elon Musk is a crypto enthusiast, he has a complex relationship with cryptocurrency. He purchased $1.5 billion in the cryptocurrency. Musk was honored with Axel Springer Award, an award given to innovative people, who build new markets, change markets, and contribute to society. He was also listed on Forbes Billionaire with a total net worth of $2 Billion. [email protected] EntrepreneurInvestorChief Executive Officer suggested that Roger Ver, also known as โBitcoin Jesus,โ could be next. Musk also made a cryptic remark about Bankman-Fried last year, hinting that his political connections might help protect him from serious consequences.
Could Trump Grant a Pardon to Bankman-Fried?
The question now is whether Trump will consider a pardon for Bankman-Fried, who faces serious legal challenges. Unlike Ulbricht, who had strong support from his community, Bankman-Fried’s situation is more complicated. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding investors out of billions through FTX, one of the biggest financial frauds in U.S. history.
His deep ties to the Democratic Party, including a $5.2 million donation to Bidenโs 2020 campaign, might make his case more difficult under a Trump administration.
Despite the challenges, Bankman-Friedโs family and friends have worked hard to support him. During his trial, they sent many letters to the judge, describing him as a compassionate and talented businessman whose โneurodiverseโ traits led to his downfall. Elon Muskโs recent comments also give Bankman-Fried a bit of a boost, as they may highlight the potential for his political connections to offer protection.
Betting Markets Are Doubtful: What Are the Odds?
Despite all the discussions, betting markets are not optimistic about Bankman-Friedโs chances. Polymarket currently gives him only a 6% chance of receiving a pardon, compared to Ulbrichtโs 95% before his release. With Trump likely facing pressure to be selective in his clemency decisions, it remains uncertain whether Bankman-Fried will get the same leniency.
However, the crypto world is watching closely to see how this situation develops.
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