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 SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering.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

Coinbase Gets a Stake in Circle; FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Not Guilty, Again

“CoinDesk Daily” host Jennifer Sanasie dives into today’s hottest stories in crypto, as FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty to his latest indictment. The Wall Street Journal is out with a new report detailing Binance's legal risks over Russia. And, Coinbase buys a minority stake in stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Financial.

Aug 22, 2023, 2:04 p.m. EDT

Videos

FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Latest Court Appearance an 'Interesting Peek' After Being Jailed: Legal Expert

Renato Mariotti, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP partner, weighs in on FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried facing arraignment yet again in a New York Court on Tuesday. "This is going to be an interesting peek at Sam Bankman-Fried after he's been in prison, remember that he was repeatedly violating his conditions of release," Mariotti said.

Aug 22, 2023, 11:00 a.m. EDT

Videos

FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Is the 'Problem,' Not His Lawyers: Former Federal Prosecutor

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is back in court on Tuesday, getting arraigned on the most recent version of his indictment. Renato Mariotti, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP partner and former federal prosecutor, discusses what to make of the latest developments. The problem is "not the lawyers, it's Sam Bankman-Fried," Mariotti said.

Aug 22, 2023, 10:36 a.m. EDT

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Not Guilty to Latest Indictment

Bankman-Fried's attorney later deplored Bankman-Fried's lack of vegan options in prison, saying he was "subsisting on a diet of bread and water" during the hearing.

By Nikhilesh De, Sam KesslerAug 22, 2023, 9:21 a.m. EDT

Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Prosecutors, Sam Bankman-Fried File Proposed Jury Instructions for Trial

The FTX founder's lawyers are suggesting Bankman-Fried acted in good faith, with a trial set for October.

By Nikhilesh De, Jack SchicklerAug 21, 2023, 9:55 p.m. EDT

Sam Bankman-Fried, right, outside court in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Due Back in Court as He Asks for Daily Releases

The FTX founder will be arraigned on Tuesday. Last week, his attorneys asked that he be allowed to review defense filings at a federal prosecutor’s office every weekday.

By Nikhilesh DeAug 21, 2023, 4:59 p.m. EDT

Sam Bankman-Fried, middle, walks into court on Aug. 11, 2023. (Victor Chen/CoinDesk)

Videos

FTX Debtors Change Settlement Proposal After Objection From U.S. Trustee

Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX has revised its motion for settlement after the U.S. Trustee objected to an earlier motion, according to a court filing. CoinDesk's global policy and regulation managing editor Nikhilesh De breaks down the new proposal. Plus, the latest on Sam Bankman-Fried's case as the disgraced FTX founder asks to be released from jail five days a week for legal defense work.

Aug 21, 2023, 10:40 a.m. EDT

Opinion

Things in Crypto We're Freaking Out About

With a nod to Sam Bankman-Fried, CoinDesk staff crowdsource their fears, anxieties and disappointments — for your enjoyment!

By Daniel KuhnAug 18, 2023, 2:48 p.m. EDT

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Is Now in Jail

Yes we’re still talking about the boy wonder and his pending trial.

By Nikhilesh DeAug 17, 2023, 10:30 a.m. EDT

Sam Bankman-Fried leaving a courthouse in July 2023 (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Videos

What FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Is 'Freaking Out About'

A recent court filing reveals prosecutors plan on submitting personal notes from former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison as evidence against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried ahead of his trial in October, which includes a list titled "Things Sam is Freaking Out About." "The Hash" panel shares their reaction to the latest legal proceedings in Bankman-Fried's case.

Aug 16, 2023, 1:23 p.m. EDT