- Sam Bankman-Fried’s campaign for a pardon from President Donald Trump faces bipartisan opposition in Congress.
- Former FTX CEO convicted on charges of orchestrating “one of the largest financial frauds in history,” stealing over $8 billion.
- Trump has pardoned other crypto figures like Ross Ulbricht and Changpeng Zhao, but has publicly denied SBF’s request.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the convicted former CEO of FTX, awaits a federal pardon despite significant bipartisan opposition from Washington lawmakers. His effort to secure clemency from President Donald Trump involves a concerted social media campaign praising MAGA policies. Consequently, both pro-crypto and anti-crypto senators have dismissed his overtures.
Senator Bernie Moreno bluntly stated, “The guy’s a piece of ***t. He shouldn’t be pardoned.” Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Lummis expressed hope Trump wouldn’t fall for his rhetoric. Democratic Congressman Sam Liccardo cynically suggested only a large payout for a corrupt pardon could work.
SBF’s proxy-operated X account has praised Trump’s drug pricing initiative and social media companies. He also blamed his conviction on a “Clinton-appointed” judge. However, his unauthorized jailhouse interview with Tucker Carlson reportedly resulted in solitary confinement.
Despite his parents consulting a Trump campaign lawyer, the President has not changed his stance. Trump told The New York Times in January 2026 he doesn’t plan to grant the pardon. A White House spokesperson reiterated this position in February.
Trump has pardoned other crypto criminals. Ross Ulbricht and three Bitmex co-founders received clemency. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao was pardoned last October after serving four months for money laundering. Binance facilitated a $2 billion investment into Trump’s stablecoin before CZ’s pardon.
SBF’s crimes differ fundamentally. Prosecutors called his fraud historic. Three associates, including Caroline Ellison, testified that he ordered them to commit fraud. The industry spent years scrubbing his stain from legislation.
Senator Elizabeth Warren said SBF’s endorsement of the CLARITY Act should “set off alarm bells.” Senator Lummis publicly dismissed it. Although Warren and Lummis rarely agree on crypto, they concur on this subject.
The weight of his request exceeds others. CZ and Arthur Hayes faced technical compliance failures. Bankman-Fried stole $8 billion from customers. Trump has said no, Congress agrees, but there are three years left in his term.
✅ Follow BITNEWSBOT on Telegram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X.com, and Google News for instant updates.
