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 SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering.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

Videos

Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen Become Part Owners of FTX

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen will become equity shareholders of Sam Bankman-Fried's cryptocurrency derivatives exchange FTX. This long-term partnership makes Brady an exchange ambassador, with Bündchen an environmental and social initiatives advisor. Both received crypto as part of the new deal. "The Hash" panel digs into the ongoing saga of sports and crypto.

Jun 29, 2021

Finance

Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen Become Part Owners of FTX

The financial terms of the long-term partnership with Sam Bankman-Fried’s trading empire were not disclosed.

By Zack SewardJun 29, 2021

Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with his wife, Gisele Bündchen, after his team won Super Bowl LV in February.

Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried Speaks About McAfee’s Legacy, China Crackdown and Why Tether ‘Is Not a Worry’

FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried reacts to the death of antivirus software pioneer and early crypto investor John McAfee, discussing the way he “embodied 2017 in crypto” and the legacy he left behind for the digital asset industry.

Jun 24, 2021

Markets

FTX Follows Binance's Lead With Move Into Tokenized Stocks

Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX will allow users to trade tokenized stocks of companies such as Facebook, Google, Netflix, Nvidia, PayPal and Tesla.

By Tanzeel AkhtarJun 24, 2021

Videos

The First-Ever Global Sports League-Cryptocurrency Exchange Partnership

Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto derivatives exchange FTX is doubling down on sports sponsorships by teaming up with Major League Baseball (MLB). Beginning in July, FTX logos will be featured on all umpires’ uniforms. “The Hash” panel reacts, digging into the world of sports and crypto.

Jun 23, 2021

Policy

How the Bitcoin Industry Is Responding to Wall Street's ESG Concerns

“They are doing it out of the sense of survival,” said John Reed Stark, former chief of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Internet Enforcement.

By Lyllah LedesmaJun 18, 2021

Markets

NFL Legend Tom Brady Has 'Definitely' Invested in Crypto

The seven-time Super Bowl champion says he doesn’t see crypto going away. However, he didn’t say which coins he owns.

By Nikhilesh DeMay 28, 2021

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady said he hopes his NFT startup can connect brands with their fans.

Markets

Tom Brady to Speak at Consensus 2021

The seven-time Super Bowl Champion, NFT platform co-founder and new bearer of bitcoin laser eyes joins FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried on May 27.

By Aaron StanleyMay 26, 2021

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady

Markets

Sam Bankman-Fried Says Bitcoin Mining Council Opens an ‘Interesting Can of Worms’

Hopefully it will clean up the "stupid dialogue going on about ESG," he said. "Not in the sense that ESG was stupid, but that the dialogue was."

By Bradley KeounMay 25, 2021

Videos

FTX CEO: Bitcoin Mining Council ‘Can’t Work Like OPEC’ Since Anyone Can Mine Bitcoin

FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried reacts to announcement of a new Bitcoin Mining Council by MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor and Tesla CEO Elon Musk during an interview on “First Mover” at Consensus 2021.

May 25, 2021