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 SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering.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

Consensus Magazine

Why Author Brady Dale Is 'Drowning' in Sam Bankman-Fried

Before his business collapsed, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried built one of the cryptocurrency industry's largest exchanges and personal brands by dazzling the media, public and politicians. Axios reporter Brady Dale argues SBF's addiction to fame led to his notoriety.

By Brady DaleMay 9, 2023, 9:32 a.m. EDT

In "SBF: How The FTX Bankruptcy Unwound Crypto's Very Bad Good Guy" author Brady Dale tells the story of notorious cryptocurrency founder Sam Bankman-Fried's fall and the rise of decentralized finance. (Brady Dale)

Policy

FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried Moves to Dismiss Most Criminal Charges Against Him

Bankman-Fried did not move to dismiss charges tied to securities fraud or money laundering.

By Nikhilesh DeMay 8, 2023, 11:12 p.m. EDT

Sam Bankman-Fried (Liz Napolitano/CoinDesk)

Videos

First Book on FTX and SBF's Implosion Published

Veteran crypto journalist and former CoinDesker Brady Dale has published a new book on FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's downfall and the longevity of decentralized finance (DeFi). Dale joins "The Hash" to share insights into his book and the lessons learned from FTX's collapse.

May 8, 2023, 1:51 p.m. EDT

Videos

Solana Labs CEO: Wasn't Sure the Ecosystem Would Survive After FTX

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was a big supporter of Solana, previously investing in its native token SOL. Solana Labs CEO and co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko weighs in on FTX's "outsized" influence on the ecosystem and what its collapse meant for Solana.

May 8, 2023, 9:37 a.m. EDT

Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried's Impact on the Bahamas

Prime Minster of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, explains at Consensus 2023 why he does not regret that disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried worked in the Bahamas.

Apr 27, 2023, 7:08 p.m. EDT

Finance

Scaramucci Recounts Harrowing Final Days of FTX, Visit to Bahamas to See Sam Bankman-Fried

The SkyBridge founder walked in on a “war room” when he traveled to talk face-to-face with the now-disgraced Bankman-Fried as the exchange unraveled.

By Elizabeth NapolitanoApr 27, 2023, 2:47 p.m. EDT

Anthony Scaramucci and Tracy Wang (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)

Policy

Bahamian Prime Minister Doesn’t Regret FTX

Philip Davis says the country is “open for business” for legitimate digital-assets companies.

By Cheyenne LigonApr 27, 2023, 1:17 p.m. EDT

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)

Consensus Magazine

Veteran Crypto Reporter Brady Dale Discusses New FTX Book

The former CoinDesker has written an account of Sam Bankman-Fried's downfall, and longevity of decentralized finance.

By Daniel KuhnApr 27, 2023, 9:41 a.m. EDT

Sam Bankman-Fried leaving court on Feb. 16, 2023 (Liz Napolitano/CoinDesk)

Policy

Bahamas Seeks to Tighten Its Crypto Laws Following FTX Collapse

The crypto exchange's headquarters was in the island nation.

By Jack SchicklerApr 26, 2023, 6:55 a.m. EDT

FTX's home the Bahamas is seeking to toughen crypto laws. (Pixabay)

Videos

Taylor Swift Shirked $100M FTX Sponsorship Deal, Lawyer Says

Taylor Swift dodged signing a $100 million sponsorship deal with Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX and was the only celebrity to question the crypto exchange, according to Adam Moskowitz, the lawyer overseeing a class-action lawsuit against some of FTX's celebrity endorsers. Moskowitz appeared on The Block's podcast "The Scoop" to discuss the lawsuit. "The Hash" panel discusses the latest in the ongoing FTX saga.

Apr 19, 2023, 2:09 p.m. EDT