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 SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering.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

Opinion

Sam Bankman-Fried's Ties to George Santos Are Just the Beginning

Donations to the lying congressman were just a grace note in FTX's symphony of alleged corruption.

By David Z. MorrisMay 12, 2023

U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY)(Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Opinion

I legami di Sam Bankman-Fried con George SANTOS sono solo l'inizio

Le donazioni al deputato bugiardo erano solo una nota di grazia nella sinfonia di presunta corruzione di FTX.

By David Z. MorrisMay 12, 2023

Opinion

Los vínculos de Sam Bankman-Fried con George SANTOS son solo el comienzo

Las donaciones al congresista mentiroso fueron solo una nota de gracia en la sinfonía de presunta corrupción de FTX.

By David Z. MorrisMay 12, 2023

Opinion

Les liens de Sam Bankman-Fried avec George SANTOS ne sont que le début

Les dons au député menteur n’étaient qu’une note de grâce dans la symphonie de corruption présumée de FTX.

By David Z. MorrisMay 12, 2023

Opinion

Os laços de Sam Bankman-Fried com George SANTOS são apenas o começo

As doações ao congressista mentiroso foram apenas uma nota de graça na sinfonia de suposta corrupção da FTX.

By David Z. MorrisMay 12, 2023

Opinion

Связи Сэма Бэнкмана-Фрида с Джорджем SANTOS — это только начало

Пожертвования лживому конгрессмену были лишь нотой в симфонии предполагаемой коррупции FTX.

By David Z. MorrisMay 12, 2023

Opinion

Зв'язки Сема Бенкмана-Фріда з Джорджем SANTOS - це лише початок

Пожертви брехливому конгресмену були лише приємною нотою в симфонії ймовірної корупції FTX.

By David Z. MorrisMay 12, 2023

Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried Files Pretrial Motions to Dismiss Most Criminal Charges Against Him

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried filed pretrial motions to dismiss a majority of the charges he faces late Monday. CoinDesk's Global Policy and Regulation Managing Editor Nikhilesh De discusses the road ahead for Bankman-Fried's legal battle.

May 9, 2023

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

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 9, 2023

Sam Bankman-Fried (Liz Napolitano/CoinDesk)