Sam Bankman-Fried officially asks Trump for a presidential pardon
Key takeaways
- The clemency application appeared Monday in records maintained by the U.S.
- The former crypto executive, known by his initials SBF, was convicted in 2023 for orchestrating the fraud and conspiracy scheme that ultimately undid FTX, once one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges.
- Bankman-Fried confirmed his interest in clemency during a recent interview with FOX Business.
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 Braun|Edited by Nikhilesh De Jun 8, 2026, 3:41 p.m. 2 min read Make preferred on FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is seen arriving at court on Dec. 19, 2022 in Nassau, Bahamas. (MEGA/GC Images)What to know: Sam Bankman-Fried, the imprisoned founder of the collapsed crypto exchange FTX, formally applied for a pardon from President Donald Trump as he serves a 25-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy.The clemency petition is listed as pending with the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, while he simultaneously pursues an appeal of his conviction.Bankman-Fried and his parents have sought support for a pardon as he publicly echoes Trump’s positions, though the president has signaled that Bankman-Fried should not expect clemency despite pardoning other high-profile crypto figures.Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, formally sought a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump while serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy.
The clemency application appeared Monday in records maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney. The case is listed as pending, meaning a clemency petition has been opened and is under review. The office said details of ongoing reviews are not publicly disclosed.
The former crypto executive, known by his initials SBF, was convicted in 2023 for orchestrating the fraud and conspiracy scheme that ultimately undid FTX, once one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges.