FTX Founder Seeks Presidential Pardon Amid Crypto Industry Scrutiny

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, has reportedly asked President Donald Trump for a pardon. According to sources, Bankman-Fried submitted an application for a presidential pardon through the Justice Department's Pardon Attorney Office.

The news comes as the crypto industry is facing increased scrutiny and regulation. Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024 for his role in one of the largest financial frauds in history, which involved stealing $8 billion from customers.

Bankman-Fried's move to seek a pardon from Trump may be seen as an attempt to capitalize on the president's friendly stance towards the crypto industry. The Trump administration has supported major industry-backed legislation and is estimated to have made tens of millions of dollars off cryptocurrency businesses.