Sam Bankman-Fried Defends Himself in Prison Interview, Hints at Pardon Push

In a recent prison interview, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, maintains that he does not view himself as a criminal, despite being convicted on multiple fraud-related charges.

Speaking to Tucker Carlson, Bankman-Fried rejected the allegations, claiming the justice system had failed him and that the collapse of FTX wasn’t the result of deliberate malfeasance.

Currently serving a 25-year sentence at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Bankman-Fried reiterated his stance that the downfall of his cryptocurrency exchange was not due to intentional wrongdoing. “I don’t think I’m guilty,” he remarked, dismissing the verdict as the Justice Department’s opinion.

Despite being convicted in 2023 for charges such as wire fraud and securities fraud, he continues to argue that FTX had enough assets to meet its obligations before the bankruptcy.

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Bankman-Fried’s interview comes just before his 33rd birthday, sparking speculation that it might be an attempt to gain clemency, especially with reports of his family lobbying for a potential pardon. His recent alignment with former President Trump’s political views, including criticism of the current administration, suggests he’s shifting his public narrative. During the conversation, he downplayed the current risks in the cryptocurrency sector, likening it to the industry’s past associations with illegal activities like Silk Road.

In the interview, Bankman-Fried also expressed frustration with the Biden administration, particularly with SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s regulatory approach. While he acknowledged the uncertainty of a pardon, he adopted a practical outlook, saying that if a pardon doesn’t occur, he expects to be released in his early 50s.

Alexander Zdravkov