Sam Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried, once a pivotal figure in the cryptocurrency industry, was convicted in November 2023 of committing fraud and conspiracy for stealing billions of dollars of money belonging to customers of his FTX crypto exchange, funneling the money to Alameda Research, his hedge fund. FTX had been one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges before its demise, a major player in derivatives trading including perpetual futures. The company's undoing was spurred by a CoinDesk scoop in November 2022 showing Alameda's balance sheet was mysteriously full of the FTT token issued by FTX – calling into question both Alameda and FTX's financial stability. The Bahamas-based company filed for bankruptcy nine days after the story. Before his downfall, SBF (as the former billionaire is commonly known as) had been a leading figure in crypto, pushing for regulation of the industry in the U.S. He was a major political donor and the public face of effective altruism, a movement geared toward maximizing the amount of good done by philanthropy. SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering. His trial began in October 2023, and he was convicted on Nov. 2, 2023, a year to the day after the CoinDesk story that caused his crypto empire to crumble.

Markets

Alameda moves $16 million in Solana's SOL token for possible creditor distribution

Alameda unstakes $16 million worth of Solana's SOL token, according to Arkham.

By Omkar GodboleApr 13, 2026

Caroline Ellison, the government's star witness in their case against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, leaving court on Tuesday, Oct. 11 following her first day of testimony. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Finance

CZ says SBF asked for billions 'like a Bologna sandwich' as FTX collapsed

In his new memoir, Changpeng Zhao reveals he signed the FTX letter of intent as a formality and calls Caroline Ellison's $22 floor price offer a "fatal mistake."

By Oliver KnightApr 8, 2026

Changpeng "CZ" Zhao (Nikhilesh De/Modified by CoinDesk)

Policy

Prosecutors flag mail discrepancies in Sam Bankman-Fried’s retrial motion letter from prison

A letter attributed to the jailed FTX founder was shipped via FedEx and misidentified his prison, prompting prosecutors to question its authenticity

By Sam ReynoldsMar 23, 2026

Despite claims by right-wing political figures, Sam Bankman-Fried was definitely not a free man when he (right) exited a Manhattan courtroom on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Markets

Sam Bankman-Fried’s parents tell CNN no customer money was lost. FTX creditors see it differently.

FTX payouts tied to 2022 prices leave creditors short as parents press case for pardon on CNN's Smerconish.

By Sam ReynoldsMar 23, 2026

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried files for new trial over FTX fraud charges

The incarcerated former leader of the failed crypto exchange wants a new chance to defend against fraud charges.

By Jesse HamiltonFeb 10, 2026

FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

Policy

Trump says he won't rescue Sam Bankman-Fried with pardon

The president told the New York Times he won't pardon ex-FTX CEO SBF, nor will he be granting help to Sean Combs or Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro.

By Jesse HamiltonJan 8, 2026

Policy

SBF's cohorts at FTX take last SEC hit, Ellison banned from company roles for decade

Three of Sam Bankman-Fried's top lieutenants atop the former FTX empire — Caroline Ellison, Gary Wang and Nishad Singh — agreed to consent judgments.

By Jesse HamiltonDec 19, 2025

Caroline Ellison exits a Manhattan courthouse after being sentenced to two years in prison on Sept. 24, 2024. (Victor Chen/CoinDesk)

Policy

State of Crypto: SBF (Somehow) Had Another Bad Day in Court

An appeals court seemed very skeptical of the FTX founder's push for a new trial.

By Nikhilesh DeNov 8, 2025

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Appeals Court Seems Unmoved by Sam Bankman-Fried’s Claims of an Unfair Trial

The former FTX CEO, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence for fraud, has repeatedly claimed that the crypto exchange was solvent at the time of its bankruptcy.

By Cheyenne LigonNov 4, 2025