Jailed Crypto Pioneer Sam Bankman-Fried Seeks Pardon from Trump

Sam Bankman-Fried, once a titan in the cryptocurrency realm, has thrown his hat in the ring for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. Just two years into a hefty 25-year sentence for multiple federal fraud charges related to his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, and its affiliate, Alameda Research, the 34-year-old former billionaire is now seeking redemption. His application for pardon has been submitted to the Department of Justice, according to online records. If granted, this pardon could wipe the slate clean for Bankman-Fried, essentially erasing his convictions under the law. However, the White House has remained tight-lipped, with a representative declining to comment, and Bankman-Fried’s lawyer has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the matter.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. A pardon after the completion of his sentence would mean that all those fraud counts against him would be forgiven once he finishes serving his time. Interestingly, he hasn’t asked for a commutation, which would shorten his sentence. Instead, he’s still battling in court, claiming his innocence all along. It’s almost like a dramatic plot twist, right? Bankman-Fried, who was once a household name in the cryptocurrency scene, saw his empire crumble in 2022 amid shocking accusations that he misused deposited funds for personal ventures and to pay off debts. Talk about a fall from grace!

His pardon application isn’t sitting in a void either—it’s part of a larger pool of over 20,000 requests for pardons or commutations filed with the Office of the Pardon Attorney. Trump, during his time in office, has been no stranger to issuing pardons, including for individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot, former aides facing accusations, and even the leader of the rival crypto platform, Binance. But when asked about Bankman-Fried earlier this year, Trump was clear: he wouldn’t be granting him a pardon.

Meanwhile, the world outside keeps spinning. Just as this legal drama unfolds, geopolitical tensions flare up. Iran launched a barrage of about 30 missiles at Israel, which retaliated with airstrikes. Thankfully, no casualties were reported, but it sure gave motorists an unexpected early Fourth of July fireworks display. And back in the U.S., the White House is gearing up for a UFC fight on the lawn to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

So, what’s next for Bankman-Fried? Will he get that pardon, or is he looking at years behind bars? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure, this saga is far from over…

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber