FTX Sam Bankman-Fried Rumored To Be Considered for Presidential Pardon

Key Takeaways

• Rumors of a potential presidential pardon for former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried gain momentum.
• Elon Musk said he would be shocked if the Biden administration didn’t pardon Bankman-Fried.
• Polymarket odds for an SBF pardon spiked 9% after Musk’s tweet.

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the former CEO of the collapsed crypto exchange FTX, is at the center of growing rumors suggesting he may receive a presidential pardon.

Political Rescue?

Bankman-Fried, whose empire crumbled in November 2022, was convicted on all seven charges after a five-week trial that concluded in November 2023.

He was found guilty of defrauding customers and embezzling funds, leading to a 25-year sentence. While the U.S. government requested a sentence between 40 and 50 years, SBF’s legal team had requested just six years.

Despite the guilty verdict, the idea of a pardon has gained significant attention, particularly due to SBF’s ties to the Democratic Party.

The former FTX executive was one of the party’s largest donors, and many believe his political connections could influence a lighter sentence.

Elon Musk Weighs In on the Possibility

The speculation surrounding a potential pardon gained further traction after Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s comments on social media.

Musk tweeted  that he would be “shocked if this doesn’t happen,” adding fuel to the rumors.

The possibility of a pardon may have some credibility, considering President Joe Biden granted pardons to his son, Hunter Biden, on two separate charges despite earlier promises to avoid such actions.

Some even pointed to the fact that six charges against SBF were dropped, sparing him a second trial.

Given FTX’s upcoming bankruptcy proceedings, which will begin in January 2025, many argue  that pardoning SBF could help move past the scandal.

Rising Odds for SBF’s Pardon

Polymarket prediction platform saw a 9% surge in odds for a pardon, climbing from 4% to 13% following Musk’s tweet.

The platform gained credibility by accurately predicting U.S. presidential election results and has become a popular site for betting on political outcomes.