Just three years ago, Sam Bankman-Fried was a dominant figure in both politics and cryptocurrency, pouring millions into Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign. Now, the former FTX CEO is serving a 25-year sentence, watching his political influence fade. However, Bankman-Fried is not giving up just yet—he’s making a surprising pivot by seeking a pardon from Donald Trump, a man he once opposed.
A Desperate Plea for Clemency
Bankman-Fried has taken bold steps to gain Trump’s attention, including appearances on conservative media. His controversial interview on The Tucker Carlson Show resulted in solitary confinement, but it also fueled speculation about his intentions. While Carlson did not explicitly discuss a pardon, the conversation included themes aligned with Republican economic policies.
Following the interview, the odds of a Trump pardon for Bankman-Fried nearly doubled on prediction platform Polymarket, highlighting the growing discussion around his legal strategy.
Behind-the-Scenes Efforts
According to The New York Times, Bankman-Fried is working with legal experts close to Trump. His father, Joe Bankman, has publicly supported Trump’s proposal for a sovereign wealth fund—an apparent attempt to align with the former president’s economic agenda. Meanwhile, both of his parents have been seeking legal advice from individuals connected to Trump’s past campaigns.
Despite these efforts, they have yet to directly approach Trump. Their hope lies in Trump’s transactional approach to pardons, believing he may consider the move if it serves his political interests.
The Odds of a Pardon: Slim to None?
Political insiders remain skeptical. One crypto lobbyist bluntly stated that Bankman-Fried’s chances of a pardon are “near zero.” Unlike Ross Ulbricht, the Silk Road founder whom Trump pardoned, Bankman-Fried lacks strong grassroots support. Instead, many in the crypto industry blame him for FTX’s collapse and the subsequent market downturn.
Also Read: Litecoin Faces Bearish Breakdown: Will LTC Drop to $65 After Trump’s Crypto Snub?
While Trump’s increasing engagement with the crypto industry could theoretically help Bankman-Fried’s case, the lack of widespread support from the crypto community makes a pardon highly unlikely. For now, Bankman-Fried’s legal team continues its efforts—but without a major shift in public perception, his plea for clemency remains a long shot.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of CoinBrief.io. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Coin Brief is not responsible for any financial losses.
