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 SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering.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.

Policy

FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried loses appeal of criminal conviction on fraud, conspiracy charges

The onetime FTX CEO did not persuade a panel of judges that his trial was unfair, the appeals court panel ruled Friday.

By Nikhilesh DeJun 12, 2026

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

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried officially asks Trump for a presidential pardon

The fallen crypto mogul serving a 25-year sentence filed a clemency petition, betting on Donald Trump's history of crypto pardons even though the president had told him not to count on one.

By Helene BraunJun 8, 2026

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is seen arriving at court on Dec. 19, 2022 in Nassau, Bahamas. (MEGA/GC Images)

Videos

U.S. military confirms it's running a live bitcoin node

Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told Congress the military is running a live node on the Bitcoin network for monitoring and security tests. It's the first public confirmation from a sitting combatant commander, and signals that Washington is treating Bitcoin as a national security asset. CoinDesk's Jennifer Sanasie hosts "CoinDesk Daily."

Apr 23, 2026

U.S. military confirms it's running a live bitcoin node

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried withdraws retrial motion. He believes he would not get a fair trial.

The founder of the collapsed crypto exchange FTX said he might file for a retrial after a decision on his appeal is ruled upon.

By Olivier AcunaApr 23, 2026

Sam Bankman-Fried (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

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