Sam Bankman-Fried Appeal Trial Set for November 3 2025

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, has had his appeal trial scheduled for the week of November 3, 2025, at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, according to the FTX creditor representative Sunil [2]. This marks a key development in the legal process following his 25-year prison sentence, handed down in March 2024 after being found guilty of seven charges in November 2023. The appeal was formally filed in September 2024, with all legal documents submitted by January 2025. The outcome of this hearing could lead to a retrial or potential modifications to his current sentence. The case remains a landmark in the crypto sector, with legal experts anticipating it will set a precedent in matters of corporate accountability and conduct in the digital asset space.

Meanwhile, unrelated but garnering public attention is a data leak known as the Panama Playlists, which reportedly revealed personal Spotify playlists of crypto and AI industry figures [1]. These include Bankman-Fried’s “soft” and “loud” playlists, with the latter featuring upbeat tracks such as Save Your Tears by The Weeknd—added in late 2021, around the time FTX began to collapse. The authenticity of these playlists remains unverified, but they have sparked widespread interest due to the timing and emotional context. The leak is part of a broader trend where high-profile digital economy leaders use music as a personal escape, even amid intense public and legal scrutiny.

The leak also draws comparisons to the 2016 Panama Papers, aiming to expose hidden personal preferences rather than financial assets. The data appears to reflect a public curiosity about the private lives of figures who have played pivotal roles in shaping the digital economy. However, the connection between personal music choices and professional conduct remains speculative. Decrypt has reached out to the site’s creator for confirmation, but no official response has been received [1].

As the appeal trial approaches, the crypto industry and legal observers will be closely watching how the court navigates issues of intent, accountability, and the broader implications for the digital asset sector. The case continues to influence public discourse and regulatory attitudes toward crypto, with the outcome expected to have far-reaching consequences.

Sources:

[1] SBF Loves Coldplay? Crypto and AI Leaders' Spotify Playlists Leaked. (https://decrypt.co/333124/sbf-loves-coldplay-crypto-and-ai-leaders-spotify-playlists-leaked/)

[2] Investigative Reporting from the SDNY Court. (https://www.innercitypress.com/)