Bankman-Fried Seeks Trump Pardon Amid 25-Year Sentence

Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has formally requested a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump. The request, filed with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of the Pardon Attorney, seeks a "pardon after completion of sentence," according to public records. Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering related to the collapse of FTX and its affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research. The DOJ records indicate the request was submitted in 2026 and remains pending. Trump has previously stated he has no intention of pardoning Bankman-Fried, a stance reiterated in a January interview with The New York Times. Since assuming office in January 2025, Trump has issued over 1,400 pardons, including all individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Bankman-Fried's legal team has not commented on the pardon request, and the White House declined to provide any details. The convicted former billionaire has maintained his innocence and is currently appealing his sentence. His request for a pardon comes amid broader discussions about clemency for high-profile figures, with Trump having granted pardons to several individuals, including former staff members and participants in the January 6 riot.