Will Donald Trump Grant FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried Pardon from Jail?

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 a tech expert, Entrepreneur and the person behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X. He is hailed as one of the leading influencers of crypto. His tweets, especially for Bitcoin (BTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE), can move the crypto market upside-down.   Recently, Musk flipped an idea of integrating crypto payments with X. This move will futher facilitate crypto payments and make the X a 'Super App'.   He often participates in crypto debates and wants to educate investors about blockchain technology and the benefits of DeFi. He also supports Trump's crypto prospectives and wants a clear policy for the same.   Quick Facts   Full name Elon Reeve Musk Birth 28-07-1971, Pretoria, South Africa Nationality American, South African, Canadian Education BA, BS from the University of Pennsylvania Known for Entrepreneur, Crypto Influencer   Elon Musk - Career Highlights & Events   2020 – Tesla gained interest and backed Bitcoin   2021 – Elon Musk’s Tesla purchases $1.5B worth of Bitcoin. Accepts it as a payment method   2022 – Boosts Dogecoin (DOGE) as its integration is tested in Tesla's commodities assets   2023 – Announced crypto payment attributes for X   2024 – Advocated for crypto-based financial infrastructure at global occasions.   NAsales@teslamotors.com EntrepreneurInvestorChief Executive Officer suggested that Roger Ver, also known as “Bitcoin Jesus,” 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 Biden’s 2020 campaign, might make his case more difficult under a Trump administration.

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Despite the challenges, Bankman-Fried’s 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 “neurodiverse” traits led to his downfall. Elon Musk’s 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-Fried’s chances. Polymarket currently gives him only a 6% chance of receiving a pardon, compared to Ulbricht’s 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.