FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (aka SBF) has formally applied for a presidential pardon according to an update on the Office of the Pardon Attorney website.
Bankman-Fried, who was convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges in 2024 and sentenced to 25 years in prison, is seeking a “pardon after completion of sentence” relief. The news was first reported by Bloomberg.
“It would be obviously, you know, ultimately up to the president, not up to me,” Bankman-Fried told Fox Business in a phone interview from prison last week, adding that he would “absolutely” accept a pardon from President Donald Trump.
The crypto entrepreneur told Fox Business that he has not personally spoken to anyone at the White House, while noting that he couldn’t speak for his parents, or others close to him, who may have.
The pending application may take “months or years,” according to the official application listed on the Office of the Pardon Attorney website. Because applications are not made public, details about his request are currently unknown.
Bankman-Fried maintained his innocence while speaking to Fox Business, and added that he “didn’t steal user funds either,” noting that customers were ultimately repaid in full via the bankruptcy process while calling it a “great disservice that it has taken three years.”
The imprisoned crypto fraudster has clamored for a pardon in a not-so-subtle manner at times this year.
In February, he drew the attention of both Democratic and Republican senators when his X account started championing the Clarity Act—a still-in-the-works crypto market structure bill. That led to a strong retort from Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis who said “someone’s looking for a pardon” while adding “we don’t need—nor want—your support.”
President Trump previously ruled out a pardon for SBF, but has granted pardons to prominent crypto personalities like Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, BitMex co-founder Arthur Hayes and his co-founders Benjamin Delo and Samuel Reed, and Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao.
Bankman-Fried, who has served a little more than two years for his crimes, is expected to serve at least 21.25 years of his sentence, according to analysts who spoke to Decrypt at the time of his sentencing.
A representative for the Office of Pardon Attorney confirmed to Decrypt that those applying for “pardon after completion of sentence” must finish their sentence first.
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