Sam Bankman-Fried Formally Requests Presidential Pardon from Donald Trump
Convicted FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, serving a 25-year sentence for defrauding billions in customer funds, has formally applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The request, filed with the Justice Department’s Pardon Attorney Office, is listed as pending. Trump previously stated he has no intention of pardoning Bankman-Fried. A bipartisan congressional resolution opposes clemency, and legal experts view the bid as unlikely to succeed.
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Bipartisan Congressional Resolution Opposes Pardon for Sam Bankman-Fried
Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) have introduced a bipartisan resolution in Congress opposing any potential presidential pardon for Sam Bankman-Fried, the convicted crypto fraudster and former FTX CEO. The resolution signals strong bipartisan pushback against the idea of clemency for Bankman-Fried, who was found guilty of orchestrating one of the largest financial frauds in history. The move comes amid speculation that President Donald Trump might consider a pardon. The resolution's sponsors argue that Bankman-Fried's crimes caused massive losses to investors and undermined trust in financial markets, and they urge that he remain incarcerated. The article highlights the rare bipartisan agreement on the issue and the political implications for the Trump administration.
Fortune | FORTUNESam Bankman-Fried Formally Files for Pardon; White House Says Odds Are Slim
Convicted FTX cofounder Sam Bankman-Fried formally submitted a pardon request to the Department of Justice on Monday, but a White House spokesperson reiterated that President Donald Trump is unlikely to grant clemency. The request is listed as 'pending' on the DOJ website. Bankman-Fried, who was a major Democratic donor before his conviction, has recently made overtures to Republicans, including an unsanctioned prison interview with conservative host Tucker Carlson. Trump previously stated in January that he had no plans to pardon Bankman-Fried, among other high-profile figures. Bankman-Fried was convicted in 2023 of fraud and sentenced to 25 years for stealing billions in customer funds from FTX. A federal judge denied his motion for a new trial in April, leaving the pardon request as one of his last legal options. Former cellmate Michael Avenatti described Bankman-Fried as 'one of the most arrogant, least self-aware individuals' he has met.
Fortune | FORTUNESam Bankman-Fried Applies for Presidential Pardon from Trump
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has formally applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, according to the Office of the Pardon Attorney's website. Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud charges related to the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. The application seeks a pardon after the completion of his sentence. The disgraced crypto mogul was convicted in 2023 for orchestrating one of the largest financial frauds in history, misappropriating billions of dollars in customer funds. The pardon request comes as Trump, who previously expressed skepticism about cryptocurrency, prepares to return to office. Legal experts note that presidential pardons for financial crimes are rare but not unprecedented.
Just In NewsConvicted FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Files Formal Request for Trump Pardon
Sam Bankman-Fried, the convicted cofounder of the now-defunct FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has formally submitted a request for a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump, according to information listed on the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney website. Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year federal prison sentence after being found guilty of orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that misused billions of dollars in customer funds at FTX and its affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research. The exact filing date is unclear, but DOJ records indicate the request for 'pardon after completion of sentence' was submitted in 2026 and is pending. However, President Trump stated in a January 2026 interview with the New York Times that he has 'no intention of pardoning' Bankman-Fried. Trump has issued 147 pardons and commutations so far in his second term, including several January 6-related cases.
US Top News and AnalysisSam Bankman-Fried Formally Applies for Trump Pardon
Sam Bankman-Fried, the 34-year-old co-founder of the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has formally applied for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The petition, filed with the Justice Department's Pardon Attorney Office, is categorized as a request for a pardon after completion of his sentence. Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison term for defrauding billions of dollars from FTX customers, using the funds for investments, real estate, and political donations. The move is considered a long-shot bid, as Trump stated in January that he was not planning to grant clemency to Bankman-Fried. The request comes amid a broader clemency spree by Trump that has already freed other prominent figures in the cryptocurrency industry.
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