- Back to menuPrices
- Back to menuResearch
- Back to menuConsensus
- Back to menu
- Back to menu
- Back to menu
- Back to menuWebinars & Events
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 SBF was arrested in December 2022, and his bail was revoked due to alleged witness tampering.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.
Solana Tokens Sees Risky Bets Increase After End of Sam Bankman-Fried Trial
Bonk took center stage in the Solana ecosystem in January as sentiment around the blockchain network took a hit in the aftermath of the Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX exchange debacle.
SBF Trial: The Last Day of Summer Camp
Sam Bankman-Fried's trial ended, in the words of his defense attorney, "gradually, then suddenly."
How Sam Bankman-Fried Mastered the Art of Crypto Marketing
The “most generous billionaire” weaponized altruism to built an almost mythical brand, Web3 marketing expert Tim Haldorsson writes.
Sam Bankman-Fried's Wildest, Craziest, Dumbest Trades
In retrospect, it's nuts that anyone thought the FTX founder was smart.
FTX Restart Efforts; Kraken Mulls Partner to Help Launch Its Own Layer 2 Network
"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the hottest crypto headlines today, including Kraken's new efforts to launch a layer 2 blockchain network. Coinbase adds four national security experts to its Global Advisory Council. And, plans to bring Sam Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange back to life include the Silicon Valley investment firm Proof Group, according to CoinDesk sources.
What's Next for Sam Bankman-Fried's Legal Case?
The FTX founder still faces potential post-trial motions, sentencing and perhaps another trial.
Sam Bankman-Fried's Guilty Verdict Shows This Was 'Regular-Way Fraud,' Former Paxos Exec Says
Columbia Business School adjunct professor and former Paxos Head of Portfolio Management Austin Campbell explains why Sam Bankman-Fried's guilty verdict is "positive for the industry." "If you look at what the prosecutors alleged and what apparently the jury found pretty easy to decide, this is just regular-way fraud," Campbell said. "You can't lie to people, take their money and then do things you are not supposed to with it."
PayPal Facing SEC Subpoena Linked to Stablecoin Could Be a 'Power Grab,' Former Paxos Exec Says
PayPal received a subpoena from the SEC recently, requesting documentation about its stablecoin PYUSD. Columbia Business School adjunct professor and former Paxos head of portfolio management Austin Campbell discusses the agency's latest move, explaining why he thinks this is a "pretty transparent attempt at intimidation and a power grab, especially against another U.S. regulator." Plus, Campbell's reaction to FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's guilty verdict and the outlook for the crypto industry.
Unpacking Sam Bankman-Fried’s Guilty Verdict: What Happens Next?
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty by a jury on all seven counts of fraud in federal court. What does this verdict mean for the future of the crypto industry? CoinDesk Global Policy & Regulation Managing Editor Nikhilesh De weighs in and also shares an update on Bankman-Fried's tentative sentencing hearing slated for March 28, 2024.
