(1) Short Description:
Sam Bankman-Fried intensifies his public praise for Donald Trump, criticizing Biden’s crypto policy, as speculation grows he’s seeking a presidential pardon.
(2) Read Time:
2 minutes, 15 seconds
(3) Main Article
In a series of social media posts, disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has significantly amplified his public backing for former President Donald Trump while launching pointed critiques at the Biden administration. The move, coming just days after his former colleague Caroline Ellison was released from federal custody, is widely interpreted as a calculated effort to secure a Trump pardon. Bankman-Fried, currently appealing a 25-year prison sentence for fraud, directly lauded Trump’s approach, stating, “@realdonaldtrump is right on crypto.”
Bankman-Fried’s praise extends beyond digital assets. He commended Trump’s controversial arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as “smart, gutsy, and pro-democracy.” Concurrently, he blamed the prior administration, to which he once donated millions, for mismanaging crypto policy. He specifically targeted former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, appointed by President Joe Biden, claiming the regulator’s stance damaged the industry. Gensler, who pursued a “regulation by enforcement” strategy, resigned ahead of Trump’s 2025 inauguration and was replaced by the perceived crypto-friendly Paul Atkins.
The overt political courtship occurs as traders on the crypto prediction platform Polymarket place the odds of a Bankman-Fried pardon before 2027 at just 17%. Despite the low market probability, his strategic alignment with Trump underscores the high-stakes interplay between political influence and the crypto regulatory landscape. With his appeal pending, Bankman-Fried’s public commentary continues to fuel debate over accountability, leniency, and the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States.
(4) Short Summary:
Sam Bankman-Fried is publicly championing Donald Trump and criticizing the Biden administration’s crypto oversight, a strategy many see as a bid for clemency. This follows the release of former Alameda CEO Caroline Ellison. As prediction markets show low odds, his efforts highlight the significant political dimensions shaping regulatory outcomes and personal fates in the post-FTX crypto world.
