Sam Bankman-Fried Seeks Presidential Pardon After Sentence

Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of FTX, has filed a “pardon after completion of sentence” application with the Office of the Pardon Attorney. He is serving a 25-year prison term after 2024 convictions on fraud and conspiracy charges. The filing was logged with the Justice Department office that handles clemency requests.

The application type seeks a pardon that could be granted only after Bankman-Fried completes his full sentence. The contents of clemency petitions are not released publicly, so the specific arguments in his petition are not available. The agency notes reviews of such requests can take months or years.

In a recent phone interview from prison, Bankman-Fried said he would “absolutely” accept a presidential pardon if offered and reiterated his claim that he did not steal customer funds. He also said customers were repaid in full through the bankruptcy process and described the three-year timeline that followed FTX’s collapse as a “great disservice.” He added that he had not personally spoken with anyone at the White House about a pardon but acknowledged that family members or others close to him might have made contact on his behalf.

Bankman-Fried has served a little more than two years of his sentence. At sentencing, analysts estimated he would likely serve at least about 21.25 years. The Office of the Pardon Attorney confirmed that applicants seeking pardon after completion of sentence must finish their terms before clemency can be considered.

Earlier this year, Bankman-Fried drew attention for online activity and proxy posts supporting the Clarity Act, a proposed crypto market-structure bill. That outreach prompted criticism from senators on both sides of the aisle.

President Donald Trump has previously said he would not grant clemency to Bankman-Fried. The Justice Department process for post‑completion pardons remains in effect and does not allow for consideration until a sentence is finished.