Disgraced Crypto CEO Sam Bankman-Fried Seeks Trump Pardon With Republican Pivot

Published: Friday, January 30, 2026 at 5:25 pm

Disgraced Crypto CEO Sam Bankman-Fried Courts Trump for Pardon

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is actively seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump. Currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for his role in FTX's downfall, Bankman-Fried recently took to social media to express his admiration for Trump and his pro-crypto stance. He also claimed to have been a Republican since 2022.

In his social media posts, Bankman-Fried criticized the Biden administration's handling of cryptocurrency, specifically targeting SEC Chair Gary Gensler. He also echoed several Republican talking points, including criticisms of COVID-19 lockdown policies and the perceived politicization of the Department of Justice.

This shift towards Republican rhetoric has been met with skepticism within the crypto community, with many viewing it as a strategic move to gain favor with Trump. Reports from last March indicated Bankman-Fried was already lobbying the Trump administration for a pardon. However, Trump has indicated that a pardon is unlikely. Prediction markets reflect this sentiment, with low odds assigned to a pardon for Bankman-Fried this year.

Court documents have revealed that a Republican pivot, including an interview with conservative media personality Tucker Carlson, was part of Bankman-Fried's early comeback plans.

While some, like author Michael Lewis, have portrayed Bankman-Fried in a more favorable light, it's crucial to remember that he was convicted of fraud. He diverted customer funds from FTX to a separate business, where they were ultimately lost. While customers were eventually reimbursed for the dollar value of their holdings at the time of bankruptcy, they missed out on potential gains.

Bankman-Fried's efforts to secure a pardon come after a similar outcome for former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, who was in prison for insufficient anti-money laundering standards.

BNN's Perspective:

Bankman-Fried's attempt to align himself with the Republican party, while understandable given his current predicament, is unlikely to be successful. His actions caused significant financial harm to many, and his attempts to manipulate the political landscape are transparent. While the possibility of a pardon always exists, it seems unlikely given the severity of his crimes and the political optics.

Keywords: Sam Bankman-Fried, SBF, FTX, Trump, Pardon, Cryptocurrency, Crypto, Republican, Fraud, SEC, Gary Gensler, Changpeng Zhao, Binance, Political, Bankruptcy

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