From Enron to FTX: Wall Street Turnaround Titan John Jay Ray III Takes Reins from FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried handed over control of his company to the veteran Wall Street  bankruptcy lawyer, who will guide the company’s Chapter 11 process.

AccessTimeIconNov 11, 2022 at 8:14 p.m. UTC
Updated May 9, 2023 at 4:02 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

John Jay Ray III, who led disgraced energy titan Enron through rocky bankruptcy proceedings and a slew of settlements in the early-mid 2000s, has taken over as CEO at beleaguered crypto exchange FTX.

Now-former CEO Samuel Bankman-Fried, who led FTX to its major international crypto presence, resigned the same day as the company’s bankruptcy filing, Friday morning.

  • DCG Reaches In-Principle Deal With Genesis Creditors
    02:26
    DCG Reaches In-Principle Deal With Genesis Creditors
  • Crypto Custodian Prime Trust Files for Bankruptcy
    02:06
    Crypto Custodian Prime Trust Files for Bankruptcy
  • Celsius Can Start Converting Altcoins to Bitcoin, Ether as of July 1, Judge Says
    04:58
    Celsius Can Start Converting Altcoins to Bitcoin, Ether as of July 1, Judge Says
  • FTX’s Bankruptcy Fees on Track to Be 'Very Expensive', Court Examiner Says
    05:48
    FTX’s Bankruptcy Fees on Track to Be 'Very Expensive', Court Examiner Says
  • Ray has garnered a reputation for having something of a Midas touch with troubled companies. Previously, the turnaround titan served as a chief restructuring officer and plan administrator in high-profile bankruptcy cases involving prominent companies Overseas Shipholding Group and Nortel Networks.

    During his time at Enron, Ray spearheaded efforts to put more than $20 billion back into the hands of bamboozled investors. He also earned a reputation for standing up to Wall Street and its interests.

    "He's making us look good," people close to Enron creditors told the Chicago Tribune in 2007. "He's like a pit bull, and he's not going to let go."

    FTX’s executive shuffle comes as the firm faces mounting legal troubles, including a joint investigation into its mismanagement of users funds led by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

    Gabriella Kusz, CEO of the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association, says FTX’s legal and financial troubles echo those of Enron in the early 2000s and will, she hopes, steer the industry toward change in the long run.

    "It appears that the crypto industry is having a bit of an ‘Enron’ moment,'' said Kusz. “We believe that similar to post-Enron, individuals and institutions will move capital away from less regulated, less transparent exchanges and towards those which have built heavily compliant, regulated and transparent operations.”

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.

    Elizabeth Napolitano

    Elizabeth Napolitano was a news reporter at CoinDesk.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.