Sam Bankman-Fried speaks from prison, maintains ‘innocence’

by

Jailed Crypto King Claims Innocence: You Won’t Believe His Excuses! 😲

In a rather theatrical turn of events, our dear friend Sam Bankman-Fried, the illustrious founder of FTX and current resident of the Manhattan Detention Center, took it upon himself to declare his innocence during a rather riveting interview on February 18. The interview, conducted by the ever-curious AR Hoffman of The New York Sun, was a veritable feast of excuses and claims that would make even the most seasoned barrister raise an eyebrow.

During three delightful 15-minute chats, Sam insisted that FTX was as solvent as a well-stuffed wallet in November 2022. “There were enough assets to pay all customers back in full,” he proclaimed, as if he were discussing the weather rather than the financial apocalypse. He pointed a finger at Sullivan & Cromwell, declaring, “The biggest mistake I made was backing down in November 2022.” One can only imagine the dramatic flair with which he delivered this line, perhaps while gesturing wildly with his hands.

Now serving a 25-year sentence for fraud, our intrepid hero accused Judge Kaplan of bias, claiming, “Kaplan allowed the prosecution to tell the jury that everyone had lost all their money, but then disallowed the defense from addressing that.” Quite the pickle, wouldn’t you say? And in a twist that could only be described as a plot worthy of a Shakespearean drama, he’s now seeking a pardon from none other than Trump himself. Because, of course, that’s the logical next step in this grand saga.

Listen to all 45 minutes of my @NewYorkSun
interviews with Sam Bankman-Fried from prison.

Over a monitored jail line, we talked about Trump, Danielle Sassoon, Biden, Musk, FTX’s fate, the criminal justice system, crypto, and what’s next. via @YouTube

— Ari Hoffman (@AriHoffmanWrite) February 20, 2025

Context from FTX’s Fallout

Convicted in 2023 after FTX and Alameda Research lost billions—yes, billions, dear reader—Bankman-Fried regaled The New York Sun with tales of shifting political winds. From Biden in 2020 to a Republican resurgence by 2022, he lamented, “The administration was incredibly destructive” on crypto policy. He even managed to tie his case to the Department of Justice’s turmoil, noting the exit of Danielle Sassoon, as if that were the crux of his downfall. And let’s not forget his dreams of altruism, now dashed like a soufflé in a thunderstorm.

Bankruptcy Snags and Pardon Bid

According to a report from crypto.news, FTX’s bankruptcy estate has reached a staggering $15 billion, which Sam insists supports his claims of solvency. However, repayment remains as elusive as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, thanks to ongoing legal battles, including a rather hefty $1.8 billion suit from Binance. Meanwhile, his parents have joined the fray, pleading for a Trump pardon, which aligns perfectly with his claims of bias post-2023 sentencing. Because why not add a family drama to the mix?

When asked by the ever-persistent Hoffman what he’d like to do if he were to regain his freedom, Bankman-Fried replied:

“It’s hard to say. Right now, I have 25 years ahead of me, and I try not to think too much about the future because it’s out of my control. If my appeal is successful, I’d think hard about how I could be productive again.”

Read More

2025-02-21 00:33