Jailed crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried seeking Trump pardon

Sam Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of FTX, the cryptocurrency exchange that collapsed amid serious allegations of financial wrongdoing, is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence following convictions on multiple federal fraud charges.

Two years into his sentence, the 34-year-old ex-billionaire has submitted a request to the Department of Justice seeking a presidential pardon from former President Donald Trump. Specifically, he has applied for a "pardon after completion of sentence," which would forgive his criminal convictions once he finishes serving his prison term.

It is notable that Bankman-Fried has not asked for a commutation, which would reduce or shorten his current prison sentence. He also continues to appeal the sentence, asserting his innocence in connection with the charges against him.

The downfall of FTX, alongside its affiliate Alameda Research, has been one of the most high-profile cases in the cryptocurrency sector, highlighting regulatory challenges and risks in the digital currency market.

Currently, no official statements have been released by the White House or Bankman-Fried’s legal team concerning the pardon application.