Bankman-Fried's Parents Seek Trump's Pardon

Sam Bankman-Fried's parents, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, are reportedly exploring the possibility of obtaining a presidential pardon for their son, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence following his conviction in the collapse of the FTX exchange. According to a source familiar with the matter, the couple has been in talks with individuals connected to former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a potential clemency for Sam Bankman-Fried.

Sam Bankman-Fried, once hailed as a crypto industry wunderkind, co-founded FTX in 2019. The exchange's collapse in 2022 led to his conviction on charges related to fraud and conspiracy. While his parents are seeking a pardon, it is unclear whether Trump, who has granted clemency to over 1,500 individuals since his return to the White House, will consider their request.

Trump's record on crypto-related clemency includes the pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace. Ulbricht, who was sentenced to life without parole, has gained significant support from the crypto industry and libertarian movement. However, Sam Bankman-Fried's case may not resonate as strongly, as his lawyers have argued that the customers of FTX have largely recovered their funds.

In addition to Sam Bankman-Fried, another former FTX executive, Ryan Salame, is also seeking a pardon. Salame was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for his role in the FTX scandal. The outcome of these pardon requests remains uncertain, as the process is subject to the discretion of the president and the Department of Justice.