Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Sam Bankman-Fried Guilty on All 7 Counts in FTX Fraud Trial

A tentative sentencing date was set for March 28, 2024. Bankman-Fried could spend decades in prison and potentially up to 115 years.
Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
DOJ's Proposed 50-Year Sentence for Sam Bankman-Fried 'Disturbing,' FTX Founder's Lawyers Say
Bankman-Fried's defense team attacked prosecutors' lengthy prison term recommendation in a new letter Tuesday.
Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
FTX Users Describe 'Emotional Toll' From Bankruptcy in Letters to Judge Ahead of Sam Bankman-Fried's Sentencing
Bankman-Fried will be sentenced later this month.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried exiting the federal courthouse at 500 Pearl Street earlier this year. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Should Spend 40-50 Years in Prison, DOJ Says
The U.S. government also recommended an $11 billion fine and forfeiture.
Sam Bankman-Fried exiting the federal courthouse at 500 Pearl Street earlier this year. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

The SBF Trial Newsletter

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The Latest News on the SBF Trial

Gary Wang (left) and Nishad Singh both pleaded guilty to criminal charges and testified against their former boss and friend, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. (Victor Chen, Nikhilesh De, modified by CoinDesk)
Former FTX Execs Nishad Singh, Gary Wang to Be Sentenced Later This Year

The duo pled guilty to criminal fraud charges and testified against their former boss, Sam Bankman-Fried, last year.

Gary Wang (left) and Nishad Singh both pleaded guilty to criminal charges and testified against their former boss and friend, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. (Victor Chen, Nikhilesh De, modified by CoinDesk)
Writer Michael Lewis interviews Sam Bankman-Fried at Crypto Bahamas (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Michael Lewis Was Charmed by Sam Bankman-Fried – But So Was Everyone Else

Michael Lewis is getting slammed for a relatively sympathetic portrayal of SBF. The larger question is: Why did so many people fall under Sam’s spell?

Writer Michael Lewis interviews Sam Bankman-Fried at Crypto Bahamas (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
(CoinDesk)
SBF vs. ETF: Get Rich Quick vs. Get Rich Slowly

The FTX founder was never a man of crypto and the industry is moving on without him, says Laura Shin.

(CoinDesk)
Sheila Warren writes Sam Bankman-Fried's case is a "tale as old as fraud." (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)
Crypto Risks Another Sam Bankman-Fried if U.S. Doesn't Provide Clear Regulation

Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, looks at regulatory advancements around the world, which disincentive bad behavior and create a path to accountability...

Sheila Warren writes Sam Bankman-Fried's case is a "tale as old as fraud." (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)
(TheBayPeak/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)
3 Times Bankman-Fried Allegedly Lied Before He Was Famous

It's not yet clear whether the disgraced FTX founder will testify in his fraud trial. But can you even take him at his word?

(TheBayPeak/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)
(CoinDesk, modified)
Sam Bankman-Fried’s Desperate Last Stand

If his trial were going better, the fallen crypto king wouldn’t be testifying in his own defense.

(CoinDesk, modified)
(MIT Bitcoin Club, Mercatus Center, Cointelegraph/Wikimedia Commons, modified by CoinDesk)
Who Won and Lost Most in Sam Bankman-Fried's Criminal Scheme?

The trial verdict is an indictment of regulators and the VC industry. But the U.S. justice system and, yes, journalists, proved their worth more than ever.

(MIT Bitcoin Club, Mercatus Center, Cointelegraph/Wikimedia Commons, modified by CoinDesk)
(CoinDesk, modified)
What Happened During Sam Bankman-Fried's First Week in Court?

Highlights from the opening days of six-week-long trial, author Michael Lewis' SBF biography and recently filed court documents.

(CoinDesk, modified)
Sam Bankman-Fried, right, and his parents, Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried (Victor Chen/CoinDesk)
The Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Is a Family Affair

For “SBF Trial,” read Sam, Bankman and Fried. As prosecutors attempt to claw back “misappropriated funds” from FTX, they say SBF’s parents, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, p...

Sam Bankman-Fried, right, and his parents, Joe Bankman and Barbara Fried (Victor Chen/CoinDesk)
(CoinDesk, modified)
Defending the Indefensible? Sam Bankman-Fried’s Lawyers Deserve Better

The FTX founder's lawyers have been given no quarter by District Judge Lewis Kaplan, overseeing the case.

(CoinDesk, modified)
(White House, modified by CoinDesk)
FTX and the Case for Web3 YIMBYism

The Biden administration should help reshore crypto firms to protect consumers and create competitive jobs.

(White House, modified by CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Looking at Sam Bankman-Fried's Appeals Process

Bankman-Fried has 91 days to file a brief

Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Appeals Fraud Conviction

Bankman-Fried was convicted last year on fraud and conspiracy charges.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Is the Sam Bankman-Fried Story Over?

He was sentenced last month. What did we learn?

Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Expresses Remorse for His Actions After Getting a 25-Year Prison Sentence

Last Thursday, while announcing the sentence U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said Bankman-Fried never offered "a word of remorse" for his "terrible crimes."

Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
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SBF Is Going to Prison for 25 Years

A judge sentenced Bankman-Fried to a quarter century after a brief hearing.

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The Latest News on the SBF Trial

Sam Bankman-Fried, middle, walks into court on Aug. 11, 2023. (Victor Chen/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

The former FTX CEO was convicted of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy in November, a year after the once-giant cryptocurrency exchange collapsed.

Sam Bankman-Fried, middle, walks into court on Aug. 11, 2023. (Victor Chen/CoinDesk)
SBF Trial Newsletter Graphic
Recapping FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried's Trial

Bankman-Fried's sentencing kicks off in a few hours.

SBF Trial Newsletter Graphic
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Sam Bankman-Fried's Trial Is 'Already' Impacting U.S. Crypto Regulation: Lawyer

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is taking the stand again Tuesday for more cross-examination in his criminal trial. Katten partner and co-chair for the firm's financial markets...

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Found Guilty of All Seven Fraud Counts: What Happens Next?

Sam Bankman-Fried's fate was finally decided by 12 jurors Thursday night. After deliberating for a little over 4 hours, the FTX founder was found guilty on all seven counts fo...

Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
(CoinDesk, modified)
Inside the Courtroom During Sam Bankman-Fried's Guilty Verdict

A jury found Sam Bankman-Fried guilty on the first anniversary of the award-winning CoinDesk scoop that spurred the FTX founder's downfall. CoinDesk Managing Editor for Global...

(CoinDesk, modified)
Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
U.S. Government's Legal Precedents Don't Support Lengthy Prison Term, Bankman-Fried's Defense Argues

Bankman-Fried was found guilty of fraud last year and will be sentenced on March 28.

Sam Bankman-Fried exits a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on July 26, 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
DOJ's Proposed 50-Year Sentence for Sam Bankman-Fried 'Disturbing,' FTX Founder's Lawyers Say

Bankman-Fried's defense team attacked prosecutors' lengthy prison term recommendation in a new letter Tuesday.

Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried exiting the federal courthouse at 500 Pearl Street earlier this year. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Should Spend 40-50 Years in Prison, DOJ Says

The U.S. government also recommended an $11 billion fine and forfeiture.

Sam Bankman-Fried exiting the federal courthouse at 500 Pearl Street earlier this year. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
The SBF TRIAL
SBF TRIAL Podcast: Inside the Courtroom With CoinDesk

Listen to the latest SBF trial updates by the CoinDesk Podcast Network.

The SBF TRIAL
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A 20+ Year Sentence? Why the Evidence Against SBF Was Too Hard to Overcome

A defense lawyer and a former prosecutor discuss what SBF’s likely sentence will be, the defense’s hope for an appeal, and whether the government will pursue the second trial....

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Why SBF's Testimony So Far Has Likely Already Doomed Him

Defense lawyer Sam Enzer says Sam Bankman-Fried’s testimony had evasive answers and non sequiturs—but that the defense may now have a good argument for appeal.

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The Latest News on the SBF Trial

The SBF TRIAL
SBF TRIAL PODCAST 10/23: What it’s Really Like Inside the Courtroom

Listen to the latest SBF trial updates by the CoinDesk Podcast Network.

The SBF TRIAL
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Another Bad Week for Sam Bankman-Fried in His Criminal Trial

Sam Bankman-Fried is facing an even more difficult task in proving his innocence after this week’s compelling testimony by the last member of his inner circle.

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Why These Lawyers Say It's Over for SBF--But His Only Hail Mary Is to Testify

Attorneys Samson Enzer and Greg Strong say Caroline Ellison’s testimony against Sam Bankman-Fried was damning. They agree one thing could turn it around: SBF’s own testimony....

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The Protocol 4:3
Exploring Crypto's Role in Times of Conflict | Israel's Crypto Scene, Smart Contracts Under BitVM, and More

Covering the influence of conflict on Israel's crypto sector, the evolution of smart contracts on Bitcoin, and a comprehensive examination of the ethical, technical, and legal...

The Protocol 4:3
The SBF TRIAL
SBF TRIAL PODCAST 10/12: Caroline Ellison Testimony Day 3

Listen to the latest SBF trial updates by the CoinDesk Podcast Network.

The SBF TRIAL

The Latest News on the SBF Trial

SBF Trial Newsletter Graphic
EmSam, Jury Questions and Another Denial for Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried drafted a set of tweets discussing his use of an antidepressant.

SBF Trial Newsletter Graphic
Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Not Guilty to Latest Indictment

Bankman-Fried's attorney later deplored Bankman-Fried's lack of vegan options in prison, saying he was "subsisting on a diet of bread and water" during the hearing.

Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried's Complaints About Discovery Are 'Misleading,' DOJ Says

Prosecutors push back on the ex-FTX CEO’s claims that they’re dumping too many documents on him, responding that the evidence had been at his fingertips for months.

Sam Bankman-Fried outside a courthouse in July 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried exiting the federal courthouse at 500 Pearl Street earlier this year. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Again Blames Underlings for Woes as FTX Founder Wraps Up Testimony

"So, it's your testimony that your supervisees told you to stop asking questions?" asked a prosecutor. "Did you call in your lieutenants and ask 'who spent $8 billion?'"

Sam Bankman-Fried exiting the federal courthouse at 500 Pearl Street earlier this year. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried to Testify at His Criminal Trial as Soon as Thursday

The FTX founder will directly appeal to jurors in his bid to prove he did not commit, or conspire to commit, fraud before his crypto juggernaut's spectacular collapse.

Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Ex-Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison at the federal courthouse in Manhattan (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
SBF Trial: Defense Counsel's Cross-Examination of Star Prosecution Witness Meandered

Mark Cohen bumbled at times, asking Caroline Ellison to repeat much of the same information she told prosecutors in testimony the day before.

Ex-Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison at the federal courthouse in Manhattan (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried Doesn't Want to Go to Prison for 100 Years

Bankman-Fried's legal team brought 29 character references in pleading for a lenient sentence.

Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
Sam Bankman-Fried (left) exiting a New York courthouse earlier in 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
No Sam Bankman-Fried Jury Yet; Judge Expects to Cull 50 Prospects Quickly on Wednesday

Several prospective jurors revealed that they or loved ones lost money on crypto, including one whose brother was nearly ruined.

Sam Bankman-Fried (left) exiting a New York courthouse earlier in 2023. (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)
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2 Small Wins For Sam Bankman-Fried

Bankman-Fried had a few small wins in court, but his big challenge – securing a temporary release – may be decided later today.

SBF Trial Newsletter Graphic
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SBF’s Lawyers Could Be Annoying the Judge | How Might That Impact the Trial?

Sam Enzer, partner at Cahill Gordon & Reindel, and Brian Klein, partner at Waymaker, discuss the strategies that the defense and prosecution appear to be using, and why the te...

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The SBF TRIAL
SBF TRIAL: Inside Sam Bankman-Fried's Trial Defense Episode 4

How Sam Bankman-Fried Gets Acquitted With The Odds Stacked Against Him

The SBF TRIAL
The SBF TRIAL
SBF TRIAL PODCAST 10/12: Caroline Ellison Testimony Day 3

Listen to the latest SBF trial updates by the CoinDesk Podcast Network.

The SBF TRIAL

The SBF Trial and How We Got Here