Sam Bankman-Fried officially asks Trump for a presidential pardon
Imprisoned FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has formally petitioned President Donald Trump for a pardon while continuing to appeal his 25-year fraud conviction. Despite his efforts to align with the President's political positions, the administration has previously signaled that he should not expect clemency.
Why it matters
The petition highlights the intersection of high-profile white-collar crime, political influence, and the ongoing fallout from the collapse of the crypto industry.
Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Sam Bankman-Fried officially asks Trump for a presidential pardon The fallen crypto mogul serving a 25-year sentence filed a clemency petition, betting on Donald Trump s history of crypto pardons even though the president had told him not to count on one. By Helene Braun | Edited by Nikhilesh De Jun 8, 2026, 3:41 p.m. 2 min read Make preferred on FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is seen arriving at court on Dec. 19, 2022 in Nassau, Bahamas. (MEGA/GC Images) What to know : Sam Bankman-Fried, the imprisoned founder of the collapsed crypto exchange FTX, formally applied for a pardon from President Donald Trump as he serves a 25-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy. The clemency petition is listed as pending with the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, while he simultaneously pursues an appeal of his conviction. Bankman-Fried and his parents have sought support for a pardon as he publicly echoes Trump’s positions, though the president has signaled that Bankman-Fried should not expect clemency despite pardoning other high-profile crypto figures. Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of collapsed crypto exchange FTX , formally sought a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump while serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy.
The article reports on the filing as a matter of public record and provides context on the administration's stance.
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