Sam Bankman-Fried

Sam Bankman-Fried, once a pivotal figure in the cryptocurrency industry, was convicted in November 2023 of committing fraud and conspiracy for stealing billions of dollars of money belonging to customers of his FTX crypto exchange, funneling the money to Alameda Research, his hedge fund. FTX had been one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges before its demise, a major player in derivatives trading including perpetual futures. The company's undoing was spurred by a CoinDesk scoop in November 2022 showing Alameda's balance sheet was mysteriously full of the FTT token issued by FTX – calling into question both Alameda and FTX's financial stability. The Bahamas-based company filed for bankruptcy nine days after the story. Before his downfall, SBF (as the former billionaire is commonly known as) had been a leading figure in crypto, pushing for regulation of the industry in the U.S. He was a major political donor and the public face of effective altruism, a movement geared toward maximizing the amount of good done by philanthropy. SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering. His trial began in October 2023, and he was convicted on Nov. 2, 2023, a year to the day after the CoinDesk story that caused his crypto empire to crumble.


Videos

The SBF Trial Week 2: Secret Recording Revealed, Ex-Alameda Research CEO Testifies

"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the key highlights from FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's trial this week. Former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison, who is the prosecution's star witness, testified before jurors and also faced a cross-examination from the defense. In court, the jury also heard a recording of a meeting Ellison had with Alameda employees last year.

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Videos

Crypto Venture Fund Dragonfly Does 'Not Want to Invest in the Next FTX,' Managing Partner Says

How has due diligence for crypto VCs changed in the wake of the FTX implosion? Dragonfly managing partner Haseeb Qureshi shares his thoughts, as FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's trial wraps up its second week. "Everybody is going to be vigilant. I do not want to invest in the next FTX...Entrepreneurs will make sure to follow everything to guarantee they are not FTX," Qureshi said.

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Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Concludes Week 2; Israel Launches Aid Fund Amid Conflict

Host Megha Chaddah breaks down the latest developments in Sam Bankman-Fried's case as the trial against the FTX founder continues. Plus, the role of crypto in geopolitical crises as Israel launches aid fund amid ongoing conflict. Those stories and other news shaping the cryptocurrency world are in this episode of "Forkast IQ."

Forkast IQ

Videos

FTX's 'Notoriously Opaque Business' Is Now 'Frowned Upon' in VC Sector, Dragonfly Managing Partner Says

Dragonfly managing partner Haseeb Qureshi weighs in on the state of crypto venture capital funding and due diligence after the collapse of FTX. "There was a baseline of trust, especially among western VCs, that has largely gone out of the window now," Qureshi said. "There's a perception that you need to double and triple-check everybody else's work."

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Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Lawyer Cross-Examines Prosecution's Star Witness Caroline Ellison

Former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison faced a cross-examination from Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyer Thursday. The line of questioning could signal a defense strategy of pinning the collapse of FTX and Alameda on Ellison. CoinDesk's executive director of global content Emily Parker, who was in the courtroom, shares some key takeaways from the legal proceedings.

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Policy

Things Sam Bankman-Fried's Lawyers Should Be Freaking Out About

Caroline Ellison kept a watchlist of SBF's biggest gripes. Perhaps his lawyers need one, too.

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Opinion

Is Sam Bankman-Fried a Sociopath?

And are bad men made or molded by circumstance?

(MIT Bitcoin Club/Wikimedia Commons, modified by CoinDesk)

Videos

Bitcoin Extends Decline for a Fifth Day; Reddit's Fortnite Token BRICK Surges

"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the hottest crypto headlines today, including the emotional testimony from former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison in the trial against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. New details emerge surrounding the 2022 FTX hack. And, Bricks (BRICK), the native token of Reddit's Fortnite community, surges.

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Videos

Sam Bankman-Fried Taking the Stand Could be a 'Nightmare,' Attorney Says

Bragança Law attorney and former SEC enforcement branch chief Lisa Bragança discusses whether Sam Bankman-Fried should take the stand at his trial. "The only way to really get Sam Bankman-Fried's state of mind across to the jury is for him to talk to the jury and that's a nightmare," Bragança said. "He might sow enough doubt in the minds of the jurors to get an acquittal."

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